US Sherman recovered from sea

[kradman]

I didnt know if this has been shown before but thought it was interesting
WWII tank salvaged from wreck of US Arctic convoy ship | Daily Mail Online

[Adrian Stevenson]

Not seen that, thanks!

[tailor marc]

hadnt seen that. Cheers good to see another one saved. Wonder where it will end up?

[Jerry B]

A remarkably well-preserved Second World War tank has been salvaged from the wreck of a U.S cargo ship sunk by a German submarine in the Barents Sea in the dying days of the war.

The American-built M4 Sherman tank was being carried aboard the USS Thomas Donaldson which was part of Arctic convoy JW-65 when she was torpedoed by U-Boat U968 near the shore of Kildin Island on March 20 1945.

In addition to tanks the Thomas Donaldson was carrying 7679 tons of general cargo including 6,000 tons of ammunition, foodstuffs and other vehicles when a torpedo hit the engine room, killing one officer and two crewmen who were on watch below and destroying the engines.

With the risk of the ammunition exploding, the captain ordered eight officers, 34 crewmen and 27 armed guards into lifeboats while he stayed on board with a skeleton crew hoping to be towed into port. But just half a mile from Kilden Island she sank stern first.

The ship was discovered lying 55 meters deep near Kildin Island. Divers say there are two more tanks aboard which they hope to bring up.

Read more: WWII tank salvaged from wreck of US Arctic convoy ship | Daily Mail Online
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[RH1941]

Very cool I hope they can get the other two

[Watchdog]

It's amazing to see what still turns up in the mostly unvisited depths!

If my AFV recognition skills remain intact this is a Sherman Firefly (AKA Sherman 4C) which makes it quite rare in its own right..

A brilliant British development which replaced the original 75 or 76mm guns with the modified version of the awesome British 17 Pound anti-tank gun. Note the extension of the turret rear to accommodate the recoil of the gun, the longer barrel and distinctive muzzle brake. This gun out-performed the famous"88" and could defeat the Tiger. The gun in the King Tiger was an improvement but still did not best the performance of the 17 Pdr. This tank would have been brand new when it went down so hopefully it can be suitably restored as an historical artifact for future generations to appreciate.

Thanks for showing.

Regards

Mark
NB until recently it was thought to be one of these tanks of the Northamptonshire Yeomanry that did for Michael Wittman which was credible because of the performance of the gun. However, although the gunner Joe Ekins did take out 3 Tigers at ranges between 800 - 900 yards in a matter of secs it turned out to be the Canadian Sherbrooke Fusiliers who were closer that got Wittman (depending on which version of the tale you prefer) but this was still a Sherman Firefly

[tailor marc]

but will they end up rotting like that other tank the russians found and left out in the elements to rust further

[harryamb2]

a sleek looking ship in the background.

[Danmark]

a sleek looking ship in the background.

Wot, the yellow one Harry???

..LOL

[meyerse]

Why would an American convoy ship have a Brit tank on it?
Are you sure it is a firefly?