Independence 2001 U-869 Memorial Service II

The U-869 is a type IXC/40 German U-boat. It is 252 feet long and lies 230 feet beneath the North Atlantic, 60 miles east of Manasquan Inlet, New Jersey. It was discovered in 1991 on a Seeker deep exploration trip. The problem was the lack of any record of a U-boat being sunk off of New Jersey. With the concerted and persistent efforts of John Chatterton, Richie Kohler, John Yurga and others, it was finally identified as the U-869 in 1997. The U-869 is listed in the German U-boat archive as having been sunk off Gibralter in 1945. How she sunk is also a mystery, quite possibly from her own malfunctioning torpedo which blew off the conning tower and demolished the control room. There is a large hole in the stern, also the source of much mystery and research. One theory suggests that the passing freighter Harpers Ferry could have been the intended victim, saw the U-boat and fired its gun, hitting the stern, but this theory is in dispute primarily due to its reported location.

Last fall the PBS documentary show Nova had a 2-hour special on the mystery of the U-869, which introduced us to Barbara Bowling of Maryland (USA), whose brother Otto Brizius was a crewmember aboard the U-869 when it disappeared. She was born after the war, and thus never met her brother. In the show, Richie Kohler told her that John Chatterton and himself had identified her brother's ship off New Jersey. It was quite an emotional moment. Our mission today is to bring Barbara and her family to the site of her brother's grave, and to lay a wreath on the wreck commemorating him, the other crewmembers, and the three divers who lost their lives here.

The private dive boat Independence is a 33-foot BHM that cruises up to 25 knots. This boat is especially outfitted for deep wreck diving expeditions far offshore.

The following pictures (all images from video) are from voyage of the Independence to the U-869, Sunday, August 5th, 2001 (continued from Page I).

Richie reads his memorial: “Here endlessly the white waves burst and foam, the gray gulls cry and the cormorant dips, down by the bleached bones of forgotten ships, and all is alone with God and the sea”. (Captain Peter Wells, 1945) This morning we gather here to remember the 56 fallen men of the submarine U 869, and to honor the wishes of their families, friends, and loved ones. We also remember the 3 divers who have died here as well. We have come to mourn their loss and celebrate their lives. We bring with us this wreath in memory of their lives and the lives they have touched, and this ribbon in recognition of their service and sacrifice to their countrymen. Psalm 139.9 “If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.” (Closing prayer) Dear Lord, Hold these men in your hand and heart, in your house, until the day all are together again in your Kingdom. This we ask in your name, and the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen
	Barbara reads her memorial: WE REMEMBER THEM. At the rising of the sun and at its going down We remember them. At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter We remember them. At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring We remember them. At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer We remember them. At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn We remember them. At the beginning of the year and when it ends We remember them. As long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us as We remember them. When we are weary and in need of strength We remember them. When we are lost and sick at heart We remember them. When we have joy we crave to share We remember them. When we have decisions that are difficult to make We remember them. When we have achievements that are based on theirs We remember them. As long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us as We remember them.
John Chatterton pre-breathes his Buddy Inspiration before his dive. Photo © 2001 by Dan Bartone
	Richie Kohler splashes as John and I wait in the water. Photo © 2001 by Dan Bartone
Frankie Pellegrino hands him the wreath.
	Richie with the wreath in the water.