German submarine's epic journey to the Museum of Technology captivates many
After a four-week journey fraught with numerous obstacles, a German submarine has reached its destination. Its transport became a spectacle on the internet and a significant tourist attraction.
The German submarine U17 S196 arrived at the Museum of Technology in Sinsheim. The operation of transporting the submarine from Speyer to Sinsheim began on June 30 and concluded on Sunday, July 28, drawing immense interest. The event was streamed live on the museum's YouTube channel, with many onlookers watching the various stages in real time.
The gigantic platform pulled by trucks had to stop at many points to reposition the submarine to a lying-down position. The submarine's conning tower couldn't fit under some viaducts or power lines.
The transport was carried out on a low-deck platform with thirty axles, pulled and pushed by MAN TGX and Mercedes Actros ballast tractors. Four vehicles were sometimes used simultaneously. The cargo itself was over 48 metres long and weighed 350,000 kilograms.
The U17 S196 submarine served in the German army from 1973 to 2010 and participated in NATO exercises. After its service period, it was intended to be a museum exhibit. In 2023, the unit arrived at the Museum of Technology Speyer, where it underwent renovation and weight reduction. As of July 28, it is located at the Museum of Technology Sinsheim, where it will soon be displayed.
