A German submarine from World War I has been discovered in the North Sea off the Belgian coast, more than a century after it sank.
The wreck lies at a depth of about 30 meters near the port of Ostend and is reported to be in remarkably good condition. According to Belgian authorities, the discovery may also represent a war grave, as it is possible that the remains of the submarine’s crew are still inside the vessel.
Marine archaeologist and diver Thomas Termote, who investigated the wreck, believes the submarine’s 23 crew members may still be on board.
“It is the 11th German submarine wreck from World War I discovered in Belgian waters, and it is the best preserved so far,” Termote told AFP. “We thought that all the major wrecks had already been found, so this discovery came as a complete surprise.”
A sealed time capsule
What makes the discovery particularly remarkable is the state of the submarine. All of the hatches remain closed, suggesting that the vessel has remained largely undisturbed since it sank more than 100 years ago.
Because of this, authorities believe the wreck may still contain the remains of the crew. As a result, the submarine is likely to be treated as a protected military grave site.
To prevent looting or disturbance, the exact location of the wreck has not been made public.
Underwater wrecks from the First World War are often targeted by illegal salvage operations searching for metal or artifacts. By keeping the location secret, authorities hope to preserve the submarine for scientific study and historical documentation.
A UB-II class submarine
The wreck is believed to be a UB-II class U-boat, a type of small torpedo-armed submarine used by the Imperial German Navy during World War I.
UB-II submarines were designed for coastal operations and were particularly suited for missions in relatively shallow waters such as the North Sea and the English Channel.
The submarines had a single-hull design and were capable of diving to depths of about 50 meters. They typically required between 30 and 45 seconds to submerge and had a crew of around 20 to 25 sailors.
Between 1915 and 1916, around 30 submarines of this class were built at German shipyards.
Submarine warfare in the North Sea
During World War I, Germany relied heavily on its U-boat fleet to disrupt Allied shipping and naval operations. Submarines played a key role in Germany’s strategy of unrestricted submarine warfare, which targeted both military and merchant vessels.
Belgium’s coastal ports were particularly important for German submarine operations. After occupying Belgium early in the war, Germany established major naval bases in Zeebrugge and Ostend, allowing U-boats to reach the North Sea and English Channel quickly.
From these bases, German submarines attacked Allied cargo ships carrying supplies to Britain, making the region one of the most active naval battle zones of the war.
A growing underwater archaeological record
The newly discovered wreck adds to a growing number of World War I shipwrecks found in Belgian waters. Many of these vessels sank during naval battles or were destroyed by mines.
Because the North Sea contains relatively cold and low-oxygen waters, wrecks can sometimes remain preserved for long periods of time.
For historians and archaeologists, such discoveries provide valuable insights into the technology, tactics, and human stories of the First World War.
“This submarine is an important historical discovery,” Termote said. “It allows us to better understand the naval history of the war and the lives of the sailors who served in these vessels.”
More than a century after it sank, the submarine now rests quietly on the seabed — a silent reminder of the intense naval warfare that once took place in the waters of the North Sea.