U-505 Chicago Science Museum (1 Viewer)

[Leadmen]

When I was about eight years old our neighbor took the kids in the area to see the workers move a captured German sub from lake Michigan across Lake Shore drive to the Museum of Science and Industry. The sub sat outside the museum for decades. Now, they built a new building to house the sub and protect it.

The new area is nice and took several years to build. I did not get any inside pictures this trip because school tours had it all booked up. Here are some pictures about the famous high seas capture of a U-Boat.

This picture is the boarding party that boarded the sub and closed the sea-cocks to prevent it from being scuttled. Amazing capture by the Navy's sub hunting group. John

 

[Leadmen]

This is a picture of the American and German Captains.

The American is Captain Dan Gallery and the German Captain is Harald Lange. The Captain's both visited the sub in 1964 and both Captains passed away in 1977. John

 

[Leadmen]

A view of the sub in it's new quarters. J

 

[Leadmen]

Another angle of the sub. J

 

[Leadmen]

Another picture of the U-505. J

 

[Leadmen]

Sub from front. J

 

[sceic2]

I have not had a chance to see the boat since it came indoors, but I think it's a very good move of the museum to shelter it. Outdoors was not good on the old girl. Thanks for the pics John.

 

[Tex]

Nice photos.

I guess it was towed to Chicago initially? Why Chicago?

 

[kilted vampire]

I tried several times to see it before the renovation. I never got the chance. When I did see it I was blown away. It is an incredible display and needs to be seen in person to be appreciated. I will not give any surprises away. It is well worth seeing. Maybe during the Chicago show we can go see it!

 

[Beaufighter]

I saw it YEARS ago when she was outside-and I was impressed then! Looking forward to a near future visit-thanks for jogging me memory on this one!

Tally Ho,
Beaufighter

 

[L Flowers]

U-505 was in storage in Portsmouth, NH after the navy got what they could- intelligence wise. It was to be used for target practice. Daniel Gallery, who was one of those who helped in her capture was a Chicago native, found out about it and helped save it from target practice. One of the museums in Chicago was looking for a sub to add and eventually the U-505 made its way there.
For more detailed reading on her and US subs I recommend "Final Patrol" by Don Keith

 

[gk5717]

I also saw it years ago when it was outside.
If you are in the Mobile, Al. area make sure you do a tour of the battleship USS Alabama, great.
There is a U.S. submarine there too.
Gary

 

[Col. Hesler]

I went and saw it too. If you think it looks good on the outside, you should visit Chicago and see the inside.

 

[Tex]

The only WWII veteran ships I have visited are the USS Texas (a great dreadnought example--a mix of time periods) and the USS Lexington. I once saw the USS Alabama from a bridge when I crossed Mobile Bay.

 

[L Flowers]

Where is the USS Lexington? I have been to USS Missouri here in Hawaii and USS Massachusetts at Battleship Cove in Fall River, MA. They also have a Soviet guided missle cruiser, USS Joseph P Kennedy destroyer and a sub plus a few PT boats. There is also a destroyer in Boston Harbor alongside the Constitution but I forgot the name. Visited the Intrepid in NYC. Highly recommended for the ship and all the different aircraft on board.

Where else are warships located throughout the US?

 

[Nick Nasta]

Hey Leadman, check out this photo of my dad around 1950 in Chicago with the famous U-505 in the background.

http://www.treefrogtreasures.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=15746&stc=1&d=1209514894

 

[Tex]

Texas is by Houston and Lexington is in Corpus Christi

 

[Leadmen]

Nick: Thanks for posting the neat picture of your dad with the U-505 in Chicago. I think it took three days to move the boat next to the museum. To us kids watching for a couple of hours was like watching snails race. John

 

[Nick Nasta]

Nick: Thanks for posting the neat picture of your dad with the U-505 in Chicago. I think it took three days to move the boat next to the museum. To us kids watching for a couple of hours was like watching snails race. John

I thought you would like the photo.Nick