
SM U-37 – A German Type U 31 Submarine
This idea was spawned over a pint and a pie in Cullins Yard with two of the best dive skippers in Kent. Well, so they claim and continuously bicker between themselves as to who indeed is best. So when Gerry trumped Chris with his “have you ever found a submarine?” question, we were not talking about shotting one, but physically finding one.
Holland No.5
As Gerry (that’s with a G and not a J) Dowd citied his discovery, the pints were on us and a little bit of humble pie was eaten too. Now a protected wreck, Gerry explained the circumstances behind his find and how submarine expert Dr Innes McCartney answered in disbelief, citing that Holland No.5 was scrapped. However, it was subsequently discovered that Holland No.5 broke her tow en-route to Sheerness, now lays at 30 metres in a 200m exclusion zone off Royal Sovereign Bank, off Bexhill, East Sussex. Holland No.5 remains the only submarine of her class on the seabed. Holland No.1 is the only other boat of her class remaining, which is on show at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport, Hampshire
The Longest U-Boat
Anyway, discussions continued and other U-Boats in the area including U-8 and wrecks littered around the south coast as sunk my UB-57 and Gerry went on to talk about a U-Boat that is rarely dived and one of the longest submarines in the area. Suggesting that the wreck is in near perfect condition with the conning tower, deck guns and periscope in situ, he promised to share the co-ordinates with Chris and if we pencil a day, we can visit this special target.
There are two German U-Boats with the same U-37 name, one from WWII and one from WWI. Our target is SM U-37, a German type U 31 submarine.
A Type U 31 Submarine
As a type U 31 submarine, U-37 was a class of U-boats built during World War I by the Kaiserliche Marine and between 1912 and 1915, eleven were built.
German Type U 31 submarines were double-hulled ocean-going submarines similar to Type 23 and Type 27 subs in dimensions and differed only slightly in propulsion and speed. They were considered very good high sea boats with average manoeuvrability and good surface steering.
Once mistaken for UB-37, around April 30th 1915, U-37 was mined while she was homeward bound, near the Sandettie Bank, Straits of Dover. All 32 hands lost.
Outline Plan
This is planned as a two day dive trip. Sitting at some 37 metres and depending on the weather, our plan it to dive U-37 on either the 17th or 18th August 2021 and then another deep wreck such as the SS Cuvier or HMS Flirt on the other day. The dive sites of U-37, SS Cuvier and HMS Flirt all sit within 35 to 45 metre range and this these two neap tide days make an ideal opportunity to make the dives.
Transit times to all sites are likely to be 90 minutes or so and prices are likely to be £70.00 per dive. With high tide at 06.22am on the Tuesday and 07.59am on the Wednesday, ropes off times are expected around 08.30am and 10.00am respectively, plunging around 10.30am and 12.00noon. There maybe a chance of a second dive, either a drift on the way back to port or later that evening, time permitting. Any late afternoon dive will be local and at a cost of £50.00 per diver.
Bookings
So if you want to get on this special trip, simply send a text message to Chris on 07889 821266.
What To Expect
This can be a recreational dive and although within recreational limits, this will be a deep dive with extended range or dives with planned deco schedules. Run times are likely to be no longer than 60 minutes due changes in tide direction after slack. Being in the shipping lanes, we will descend and ascend the shot line. At this time of year, visibility will be forecasted as “good” to “very good” due to the wreck site location and time of year.
Accommodation
Various hotels and B&B’s are available around the area. Two popular are the Dover Eastern Ferry Terminal Premier Inn and the Travelodge.
Date
- 17 - 18 Aug 2021
- Expired!
Time
- All Day
Cost
- £140.00
Location

Maverick @ Mutiny Diving
- Dover Marina, Harbour House, Marine Parade, CT17 9BU.
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Website
https://w3w.co/limits.bucks.safari Meet at Dover Marina car park around one hour before ropes off. Car parking permit is required from Marina Office. Male and female public toilet to north of car park is keycode is C2468.
Other Organizers

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Mark Lewis
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Website
https://seahorsediveclub.uk/members/aurigator/