The Story of U-166
The Gulf of Mexico's Lost U-Boat

For nearly sixty years, the story of U-166, the only German submarine lost in the Gulf of Mexico, was shrouded in mystery. Although the boat was believed to have been sunk in shallow water near shore, two generations of searchers failed to find the wreck. Over the years, U-166 became a legend, and tales of the "lost U-boat" became part of the lore of the Gulf Coast.

Then, in the summer of 2001, archaeologists with C&C Technologies were working on a survey for a seabed pipeline when they noticed that a wreck in the survey area didn't fit the description of the vessel it had been identified as years before. It seemed, however, be about the right size to be the missing U-boat. Subsequent study of the wreck confirmed the archaeologists' theory -- they'd found U-166, in deep water many miles from where the boat was believed to have been sunk. In the process, they uncovered a remarkable and almost-forgotten story of World War II in the Gulf of Mexico.

Now, in the fall of 2003, archaeologists will return to U-166 to complete a full survey of the site, conduct a range of scientific experiments, and conduct a live webcast from the wreck site at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. Click on the links at left to begin your exploration of U-166 and her amazing story.

Project Donors

The U-166 Project staff extend their thanks to the generous donors who've made this effort possible:  

Thanks, y'all!