The U-505 Submarine?

Question

I've heard that U-505 is no longer on display in Chicago, and that it's being scapped?

Question should have been "scrapping" Sorry...

Answer 1

" U-505 becomes a museum ship

U-505 at the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, ILAs the U.S. Navy was far more interested in the advanced engineering design of fast underwater U-boats such as the streamlined Type XXI and Type XXIII submarines rather than the familiar fleet-boat types illustrated by U-505, the captured submarine was investigated by Navy intelligence and engineering officers during 1945 and then slated for disposal. The intention was to use the hulk for gunnery and torpedo target practice, a fate similar to those of many other captured enemy submarines.

In 1946, however, Father John Gallery learned of this plan from his brother, then-Admiral Daniel Gallery, and called the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) President Lenox Lohr to see if MSI would have an interest in saving U-505. The museum, established by Chicago businessman Julius Rosenwald as a center for "industrial enlightenment" and public science education, specialized in interactive exhibits, not just view displays and artifacts. Lohr immediately revealed 10-year-old plans to include a submarine in the exhibits of the museum and began a plan to bring U-505 to Chicago.

The people of Chicago raised US$250,000 to help prepare the boat for the tow and installation at the museum. In September 1954, U-505 was donated to Chicago at no cost to the U.S. Government. On 25 September 1954, U-505 was dedicated as a war memorial to all the sailors on both sides who lost their lives in the Battle of the Atlantic, and as a permanent exhibit. In 1989, U-505, the only Type IXC still in existence, was designated a National Historic Landmark. By 2004 the U-boat's exterior had suffered noticeable damage from weather, and on 8 April the museum began the multi-week process of moving the U-boat to a new underground, covered, climate-controlled location. Now in an enclosed area and protected from the elements, the restored U-505 reopened to the public on June 5, 2005.

When U-505 was donated to the Museum, she had been thoroughly stripped during the years she sat neglected alongside the dock. Admiral Gallery, working with the Museum in his spare time, contacted all of the German manufacturers who had supplied the components and parts that went into her, in hopes of restoring her to near-new condition. As the Admiral reported in his autobiograpy, Eight Bells and All's Well, he expected at best responses that boiled down to "Go to hell." However, to his and the Museum's surprise, every company supplied the requested parts without charge. Most included letters that said in effect, "We are sorry that you have our U-boat; but as long as you have her, we want her to be a credit to German industry."[

Views of the U-505 move to its new underground exhibit pen northeast of the Museum of Science and Industry

http://www.hydepark.org/parks/jpac/submove2.htm

http://www.hydepark.org/parks/jpac/submove.htm

Answer 2

from what i heard they are giving it a new place to live is all they are building a new sub pin for her that's all they won't scrap her since she is the last of her kind on display.

a Lil fun fact
When U-505 was donated to the Museum, she had been thoroughly stripped during the years she sat neglected alongside the dock. Admiral Gallery, working with the Museum in his spare time, contacted all of the German manufacturers who had supplied the components and parts that went into her, in hopes of restoring her to near-new condition. As the Admiral reported in his autobiography, Eight Bells and All's Well, he expected at best responses that boiled down to "Go to hell." However, to his and the Museum's surprise, every company supplied the requested parts without charge. Most included letters that said in effect, "We are sorry that you have our U-boat; but as long as you have her, we want her to be a credit to German industry

lol

Answer 3

A quick check of the MSI website doesn't mention anything about it. It looks like they've put a roof over it to protect it from the weather, though. That probably wouldn't happen if they were going to scrap her.

Answer 4

There was a little expression of a rennovation in this first link. The second link says it reopened in 2005.