The German submarine U-48 was on passage through the Dover Straits when spotted by an allied aircraft and bombed. At 7.30pm she was proceeding on the surface when she fouled the old net barrage near the North Goodwin Sands. With steel net wrapped around her propellers, her diesel engines soon overheated and she was forced to use her electric motors. At 3am, she accidentally ran onto the NW corner of the Goodwins. Her captain attempted to refloat her by discharging 60 tons of fuel oil, all his drinking water, three torpedoes and most of her gun ammunition. But she was caught on a falling tide and at 6.30am HM trawlers MAJESTY and PARAMOUNT sighted the stranded U-Boat and opened fire. Joined by two more warships, the FEASIBLE and the destroyer GIPSY, an unequal dual took place between them, the U-Boat using her 4.1 inch gun. The submarine received 13 hits, caught fire and the German crew leapt overboard. The wreck frequently uncovers and is still intact. Builder: A G Weser Engine HP: 500 Propulsion: 2 x screw Armament: 1 x 8.8 cm. gun; 7 x 50 cm torpedoes; 3 x TT Owner: German Navy Master: Edeling Crew: 43 Crew Lost: 21 Passengers: 0 Date of Loss Qualifier: A Additional sources cited in United Kingdom Shipwreck Index: MOD(N).Hyd.Wk.No.012304669; SUB.Keatts p18; "The U-Boat", Rossler p332; BUB. p101-2; DE.06.06.1973(R); U-Boats Destroyed p48

Vertical Datum: LAT UC48 was driven ashore by gunfire from HM drifters MAJESTY, PARAMOUNT and PRESENT HELP, 1917. ("Naval War in the North Sea"). 01-JUL-1959 Stump of mast. Dries 4ft. 05-JUN-1973 Wreck of submarine in 51 17 30.0N, 001 31 24.E. Possibly U 48 (News cutting). Confirmed as submarine. Conning tower in 51 17 19.0N, 001 31 38.0E. 13-JUN-1973 Position 51 17 19.0N, 001 31 38.0E. Dries 6ft. Lies with 45 degree list to port in general depth 14ft on heading ENE. 12-SEP-1984 Propeller still in position. Main deck holed in many places and bow extensively damaged. Conning tower missing. Few live shells near forward end (East Kent Maritime Trust, 23-JUL-1984). 16-OCT-1991 Not found. Not actively searched for. General depth now 2m. (2)

Hydrographic Office wreck index, extracted 20-01-93 No page nos (Bibliographic reference). SKE6339.

Hydrographic Office wreck index, extracted 20-01-93 No page nos (Bibliographic reference). SKE6339.

<1> United Kingdom shipwreck index, Page Nos. N/a (Bibliographic reference). SKE6340.