Wreck of Prinz Eugen

Marshall Islands / Kwajalein / Enubuj /
 ship wreck, cruiser, nuclear testing area, historic site
The Prinz Eugen was the ship that accompanied the Bismarck during Operation Rheinübung, or Exercise Rhine. They fought together against a British battle-group comprised the pride of the Royal Navy battlecruiser HMS Hood and the new King George V class battleship Prince of Wales during the Battle of Denmark Strait. After this battle the Prinz Eugen was ordered to continue commerce raiding on her own while the Bismarck tried to head for St. Nazaire, France to have repairs done. This would never happen as she herself would be sunk by a much larger force of British ships that included aircraft carriers, battleships, and cruisers. As for the Prinz Eugen, she also took part in Operation Cerebrus, also known as the "Channel Dash." She survived the war and was surrendered to the Allies on May 8, 1945. She was given to the US Navy and the ship was used as one of the target ships during Operation Crossroads.

www.pacificwrecks.com/ships/german/prinz_eugen.html
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_cruiser_Prinz_Eugen
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   8°45'10"N   167°40'58"E

Comments

  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prinz_Eugen
  • The Prinz Eugen survived the Bikini Atoll bomb test and was being towed to Kwaj for inspection when it was lost on the reef, or perhaps it was lost due to a storm.
  • The Prinz Eugen capsized on 22 December 1946 because it had sprung leaks from the Operation Crossroads nuclear tests, but was too contaminated with radioactive fallout for Navy personnel to board and repair; it was towed here from Bikini Atoll, but sank on the reef.
  • lovley ship you can still see it in the water.
  • Sad end for that glorious ship!!!!