The Wreck of DKM Bismarck − A Marine Forensics Analysis 1 The ...

The Wreck of DKM Bismarck − A Marine Forensics Analysis
Gunfire and torpedo damage weakened the stern structure, which was susceptible to failure due to a
defective structural design − a major hull structural discontinuity at the after end of the steering gear
room − as shown to the right. After the Bismarck capsized and sank, the structure failed along this
line, leaving this dramatic view.
GUNFIRE DAMAGE SURVEY − HIGHLIGHTS
An internal examination of some areas of the ship was accomplished by miniature ROVs
Jake and Elwood. They surveyed inside the holes in the Upper Bridge Deck and the holes in the
deck over the Adjutant’s Office. One of the ROVs also entered the large shell hole in the main
deck just aft and to port of the barbette for Turret Bruno (Compartment XV). This was a berthing
space being used as an emergency hospital. Two hundred men were trapped here, below jammed
hatches that had heavy wreckage lying over them. They were killed by the shell that detonated
here. The space was unrecognizable − just a jumble of debris.
A large shell hole in the main deck over the Adjutant’s Office just inboard of S63
secondary turret was explored twice. This hole was 0.6 by 1.0 meters and very irregular. This
penetration was caused by either a 406-mm or 203-mm shell which detonated right at or just
above the deck level. Inside the office, the damage was profound, but desks were visible against
a wall some three meters away, still intact. Door openings and non-structural bulkheads were still
intact some 3-4 meters away. This situation suggests that the explosion took place outside, but
penetrated the 50-mm deck plate with a consequent reduction of its blast effects. This suggests
that this was a 203-mm high-explosive shell.
A single shell hole was detected in the 145-mm upper citadel belt in way of Compartment
VII to port. This elliptical hole was caused by a 356-mm shell from King George V that was fired
from the close range of 3,700 meters. The shell’s trajectory carried it through a main transverse
bulkhead and the Batteriedeck whereupon it exploded just below the deck level in Compartment
VIII. This was the round that killed CDR Hans Oels, who was leading some 100-200 men trying
to lead an escape to the topside at an access ladder outside the Aft Canteen. This access ladder
led to a hatch on the main deck in Compartment VIII. Most of the men in this area were killed or
seriously wounded by the shell burst. The blast effect was devastating. The detonation created an
overpressure that knocked survivor Seaman Heinz Steeg on his behind, some 7 meters away.
Steeg still managed to reach the safety of the port side just after the shelling ceased.
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