[MinuteGal]

The history of the Graf Spee from the time of its wartime duties till today remains a fascinating subject for me. Wondering what happened to the scuttled wreck prompted me to do a little research.

The Graf Spee was scuttled in shallow waters and much of its superstructure remained above the waterline. Over the years, the wreck started sinking in the mud and today only the top of the mast remains visible above the surface.

In 2004 a salvage team began the process of raising the Spee. The operation was being funded in part by the Uruguayan government and in part by private funds. The government is involved because because the wreck is considered a navigational hazard.

The operation to raise the ship was expected to take several years. Film director James Cameron ("The Titanic") was filming the salvage work. It was planned that the ship be restored and exhibited in a marine museum in Montevideo.

Then, inexplicably, in 2009 all salvage work in Uruguayan waters was halted by presidential order.

Now I want to research WHY it was halted.....and if plans are in the works to begin salvage operations again.

The saga of the Graf Spee remains a fascination to this day, at least to this landlubber.

Leni

[MinuteGal]

To answer my own questions, I found through preliminary research that the halted Admiral Graf Spee salvage operation is due to a depressing series of fights, snits, arguments, turf wars and law suits between the salvers and the Uruguayan government and Navy........plus the usual shortage of funding.

Leni

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Thanks for this information. We hadn't yet considered the Graf Spee affair from this angle.

I am surprised that the Germans would scuttle the ship in such shallow water. I guess they worried about the British bringing their guns to bear before she could reach the open sea. It would really be something if the ship could be raised and at least partially restored.