U534, Birkenhead Warships Trust - fate of collection.

The impending closure of the excellent Birkenhead Historic Warships Trust has been mentioned on another thread but I am bringing it to prominence here to voice my concern about the lamentable state of Merseyside's unique Battle of The Atlantic Heritage. What is nowgoing to happen to U-532 which is owned by a Danish millionaire but has been on permanent loan to the museum since the 1990's? I understand that the Trust applied for lottery funding to put the U-Boat in a protective housing, but was turned down. Exposed to the elements its condition has been gradually deteriorating. What will become of it now, as well as the excellent small museum devoted to it at Birkenhead? Similarly what is the long-term future of the Western Approaches Underground HQ in Liverpool City Centre which is privately owned? This is a superbly atmopheric site but nothing has really been done to it for years and the displays are getting shabby. It is a great pity that all of this heritage could not be taken under the aegis of the Merseyside Maritime Museum. I have been running a highly-successful 'Battle of The Atlantic' Study Day for GCSE History pupils for several years taking in Birkenhead, Western Approaches and the Maritime Museum's 'Battle Of the Atlantic' display. This gave the boys a fantastic insight into the area's role in one of the most crucial campaigns of the war. No longer, and all at a time when Liverpool is supposedly gearing itself up for its stint as 'Capital of Culture' in 2008.

 

Hello Mark, as far as I am aware yesterday Saturday the 5th of February was the last day. The museum is going into receivership as far as I am aware.

Whereabout is the underground Western Approaches? I visited Birkenhead with the intention of seeing the U-boat, later going to Albert Docks hoping to take in a bit more of the sites. Didn't see any signs for it. Could you provide details.

As far as Liverpool being City of Culture 2008 is concerned, the city played a vital role in the war effort, but the powers that be will be promoting the city big time, reconcilliation and looking to the future and all that. I don't personally think that the recent history will be high on the list. The city is being done up big time. Pity it will be done up with wine bars, galleries and culture, and on the other hand ignoring /neglecting the city's contribution. Short memories spring to mind

 

A real pit indeed for the historical significance of Liverpool and the Western Approaches.

Anyone know what is planed for the U-boat?

Regards
Nick Clark
www.harry-tates.org.uk

 

Seen it all just in time then images/smilies/default/biggrin.gif

Western Approaches is in Liverpool:

http://www.visitliverpool.com/displayprodu...productkey=8328

Regards,

Marco

 

A real pit indeed for the historical significance of Liverpool and the Western Approaches.

Anyone know what is planed for the U-boat?

Regards
Nick Clark
www.harry-tates.org.uk

Just checked up and the U-boat has been bought by a businessman who is setting up a naval museum in Barrow in Furness, Cumbria and it is going to be the focal point. It has been moved from Birkenhead and is now at Barrow.Dont know when the museum will be up and running but seeing and going in the sub is worth the visit itself.

The trust and the council are trying to sort out what is going to happen to HMS Onyx and HMS Plymouth.

 

According to the website below it's HMS Onyx that's going to Barrow rather than U-534. Hopefully both might go there but where will the other ships end up?

http://homepages.enterprise.net/hyland/maps/interest/historic.html

 

A pity that most things these days are about money.

 

How cool is this?! Apologies if this has been posted before.


Cheers

Andy

 

from the site:

Commissioned in January 1943, HMS WHIMBREL’s service was fairly typical of the class. It included operations on the Atlantic and Russian convoy routes, a supporting role in the Sicily and Normandy landings and final transfer to the Pacific Fleet for the final months of the war against Japan in 1945. Alongside sister ship HMS CRANE, she was one of the vessels chosen to represent the Royal Navy at the September 1945 surrender ceremony in Tokyo Bay that marked the end of the Second World War.


Wow that a hell of a history for any military vehicle!!!


Kev

 

I wonder if there are any other ships still around that were present during the surrender in Tokyo Bay. Whimbrel, Missouri, ...

Cheers

Andy

 

I hope they succeed in getting her back to the UK, but this project has been ongoing for some time, and it depends on money and bureaucracy.

Is she actually the last survivor of the Battle of the Atlantic? I can't find any record that Belfast served on an Atlantic Convoy, but I believe HMS Wellington, now at the Thames Embankment, did.

Adrian

 

Is she actually the last survivor of the Battle of the Atlantic? I can't find any record that Belfast served on an Atlantic Convoy,

Do the North Atlantic convoys count as part of the Battle of the Atlantic (I don't know how the Atlantic theatre was subdivided) - if so, then the Belfast took part.

HMS Belfast served in these Northern waters as flagship of the 10th Cruiser Squadron from
December 1942 until April 1944

 

My information is that Belfast was on Arctic Convoys during that time (MJ Whitley, Cruisers of WW2, but as you say this may be a matter of interpretation.

 

My information is that Belfast was on Arctic Convoys during that time (MJ Whitley, Cruisers of WW2, but as you say this may be a matter of interpretation.

Hope some-one can explain. I have enough problems trying figure out when the Burma campaign was and wasn't part of the south-east asia theatre

 

Here's a list of what was present at Tokyo Bay:

Ships present in Tokyo Bay

Without digging further and going off the top of my head, Missouri is not the only surviving battleship that was present. Obviously, Iowa is still around having been active into the early 90s but I think is the only one of the Iowas not to be a museum yet.

Cheers

Andy

 

HMS Belfast's battle honours are Arctic 1943, North Cape 1943, Normandy 1944 & Korea 1950-2. HMS Wellington does have the Atlantic honour. There is a Canadian survivor of the Battle of the Atlantic, the Flower class corvette HMCS Sackville, which is preserved in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Welcome to HMS Belfast, a unique 20th century battle cruiser

The Wellington Trust, HQS Wellington

H. M. C. S. S a c k v i l l e

 

Hello

Too big to share here, but if anyone wants some current photos of U 534 showing her decay.... Please drop me a PM.

All best

don