Also known as: German submarine U-260, U260
At 43 metres on a rocky seabed near Baltimore, a German U-boat sits almost perfectly intact -- torpedoes still loaded in their tubes, the periscope glass unbroken, the Walter snorkel standing upright after eight decades on the bottom. U-260 was a Type VIIC submarine that struck a British mine approximately 32 kilometres south of the Fastnet Rock on 12 March 1945. The entire crew survived and were interned in Ireland for the rest of the war. Apart from mine damage to the bow, the hull is remarkably preserved. Open hatches allow limited penetration. The conning tower, twin bronze propellers, and DF aerial all remain in place. Visibility ranges from 5 to 10 metres. For advanced divers visiting Baltimore, West Cork, this is an unmissable dive -- compact enough to navigate the entire submarine in a single outing.
On 12 March 1945, U-260 was operating south of Ireland when she struck a British mine at a depth of approximately 80 metres. The mine caused significant damage to the bow but the boat remained afloat long enough for the crew to abandon ship. The entire crew survived and were picked up, eventually being interned in Ireland. The boat sank and came to rest on a rocky seabed at approximately 43 metres depth.
U-260 is a submarine wreck located off Cork, Ireland at a depth of 43 metres. The vessel was lost due to mine in 1945. The wreck is diveable.
U-260 lies at 36 to 43 metres depth, South of Ireland, near Baltimore, County Cork.
U-260 struck a mine on 12 March 1945 during World War II, off Cork, Ireland. 0 people lost their lives.
Diving the U-260 is rated advanced and is requires an Advanced Open Water certification with wreck diving experience. Minimum certification: Advanced Open Water. Recommended: Deep diver or trimix.
The best months to dive U-260 are May, June, July, August, September, October. Water temperature ranges from 9°C in winter to 15.5°C in summer.
U-260 is accessed by boat from Baltimore, Cork, Ireland.
| Month | Temp | Visibility | Access | Marine life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 9.5°C | 5.0m | poor | low |
| Feb | 9.0°C | 5.0m | poor | low |
| Mar | 9.5°C | 6.0m | poor | low |
| Apr | 10.5°C | 7.0m | marginal | moderate |
| May | 12.0°C | 9.0m | good | good |
| Jun | 13.5°C | 10.0m | good | good |
| Jul | 15.0°C | 12.0m | good | high |
| Aug | 15.5°C | 12.0m | good | high |
| Sep | 14.5°C | 10.0m | good | good |
| Oct | 13.0°C | 8.0m | good | good |
| Nov | 11.0°C | 6.0m | marginal | low |
| Dec | 10.0°C | 5.0m | poor | low |
6 evidence records from 5 sources.
The wreck lies in 43m on a rocky sea bed, 35m to the conning tower.
The submarine is virtually intact apart from damage caused to her bow by the mine. Her periscope, Walter snorkel and DF aerial are all intact.
Struck mine from field laid by HMS Apollo on 12 March 1945. Crew of 53 survived and were interned in Ireland.
Struck a British mine some 32km off the Fastnet. Crew survived and were interned in Ireland.
South of Ireland, near Baltimore, County Cork