Graf Spee's Eagle Rises
From Sea - 'Spectacular, Unreal'
Courtesy of Bob Earl
2-19-06
|
The eagle's swastika was
hidden as a mark of consideration Divers have salvaged a 2m (6ft) bronze imperial eagle from the
German World War II battleship Graf Spee that was scuttled in the River
Plate. Three divers had to loosen 145 bolts securing the 300kg (661lb)
eagle to the stern of the craft in the muddy waters off Uruguay's capital,
Montevideo. "When it emerged from the water held by steel cables by the
crane, it was just spectacular, something unreal," said team leader
Hector Bado. "The eagle is really impressive... it's all virtually
intact."
The ship was scuttled in December 1939 to stop it falling into
enemy hands. Mr Bado told Associated Press news agency the eagle had a
wingspan of 2.8m (9ft) and a special barge with a crane was needed to raise
it from the river.
When it emerged from the water held by steel cables by the
crane, it was just spectacular, something unreal. The eagle was taken to a customs warehouse, but not before
curious cruise ship guests had had a chance to disembark and get some
snapshots. The ship has lain in waters only 10m deep since its scuttling -
until a project financed by private investors from the US and Europe with the
backing of the Uruguayan government sought to salvage it. The operation has now been going two years. Previous items
raised included a 27-tonne section of the battleship's command tower and a
range-finding device for gunners. It is hoped the vessel will become a tourist attraction in
Montevideo.
The Graf Spee was once a symbol of German naval might. In the
early days of World War II it roamed the South Atlantic, sinking as many as
nine Allied merchant ships. But during the Battle of the River Plate it received several
direct hits and took refuge in Montevideo harbor. Uruguay, under diplomatic pressure from Britain, ordered the Graf
Spee out to sea. And there she was scuttled by her captain, Hans Langsdorff. Capt Langsdorff committed suicide in a Buenos Aires naval camp
three days MainPage http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4702832.stm#text
later later. |
