U 1020 Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category non-dangerous wreck
U 1020 Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		56 32.684 N,1 18.892 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 56.544733
  • Longitude: -1.314867
Wreck Depth 57 m
Water Depth 62 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name U 1020
Type submarine
Flag DE
Length 67.1 m
Width 6.1 m
Draught 4.6
Sonar Length 62
Sonar Width 10
Shadow Height 4.9
Orientation 80
Tonnage 871
Tonnage Type gross
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Bottom Texture Sand
Scour Dimensions ,,002.0,
Original Detection Year 2007
Last Detection Year 2014
Original Source survey vessel
Last Amended Date Jun 14, 2017

Simplified Wreck Survey

Wreck of German submarine U-1020 located in the North Sea off the east coast of Scotland at coordinates 56 32.684 N, 1 18.892 W. This Type VIIC/41 submarine was lost in January 1945 after striking a mine in British minefield SN 17. The wreck lies at a depth of approximately 57 to 65 meters. The vessel measures 62 meters in length and 10 meters in width, with a height of 4.9 meters. It rests on the seabed with a 45-degree list to the port side and is oriented on an 080/260 degree heading with the bow facing east. The structural condition is generally intact, though the stern appears partially detached and damaged, consistent with torpedo or mine impact. Key identifying features include a raised attack periscope, a snorkel configuration, and life raft containers on the port side. The conning tower, torpedo loading hatch, and after hatches remain open. A scour of 2 meters is present on the east and south sides of the wreck site.

Surveying Details

SEP 2007/000064819 12.9.07 WK LOCATED IN 5632.684N, 0118.892W [WGD]. GEN DEPTH 61.3MTRS. LENGTH 62MTRS, WIDTH 7MTRS, APPROX HT 4.5MTRS. LIES 080/260 DEGS. (GARDLINE, HN DTD 27.7.07 FOR HI 1151). INS AS WK USC 55MTRS. BR STD. - PNM 4571/07 ISSUED. SEP 2008/000036575 15.4.08 EXAM'D 13.8.07 IN 5632.684N, 0118.892W [WGD] USING DGPS. LEAST M/B DEPTH 57.3 IN GEN DEPTH 62.2MTRS. SCOUR 2MTRS DEEP TO E & S. LENGTH 62MTRS, WIDTH 10MTRS, HT 4.9MTRS. LIES 080/260 DEGS WITH BOWS E. MODERATE MAGNETIC ANOMALY. GENERALLY INTACT, STERN APPEARS TO BE BROKEN AND PARTLY DETACHED. PERISCOPE IS RAISED AND GIVES LEAST DEPTH. (GARDLINE HYDRO, HI 1151). AMEND WK 57MTRS IN REVISED POSN. BR STD. TYPE VIIC/41 WITH TWIN RUDDERS, SNORKEL AND LIFE RAFT CONTAINERS ON PORT SIDE. LOST DURING JAN '45 IN SECTION ONE OF BRITISH SN 17 MINEFIELD, LAID IN 1942, BUT STILL ACTIVE IN 1945. (K HEATH) 23.3.09 WK DIVED 18.3.09 IN 5632.684N, 0118.892W [WGD], LEAST DEPTH 59MTRS IN GEN DEPTH 65MTRS. SUBMARINE LIES OVER AT 45DEG WITH ATTACK PERISCOPE RAISED. KEY IDENTIFYING FEATURES INDICATE THAT THIS IS THE U 40. THERE IS A LARGE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE PORT SIDE STERN OF THE SUBMARINE, WHICH CORRESPONDS WITH TORPEDO DAMAGE. CINC REQUESTED. (I EASINGWOOD, EMAIL DTD 23.3.09). WK [2215] AMENDED TO 'DEAD'. RETAIN AS WK 57MTRS. PNM 250/09 REMAINS IN FORCE. 1.6.09 WK DIVED AND POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED AS U 1020 BY MARTIN SINCLAIR. VESSEL IS A TYPE VIIC/41, BUILT POST AUGUST 1944 AS FITTED WITH RADAR. LOST DURING JAN '45 IN SECTION ONE OF BRITISH SN 17 MINEFIELD LAID IN 1942, LIMITS OF SECTION WERE: [A] 5635.5N, 0115.0W; [B] 5635.6N, 0113.0W; [C] 5615.4N, 0138.6W; [D] 5615.4N, 0140.8W. MINES WERE SET TO 10FT DEPTH. CINC REQUESTED. (K HEATH, TELECON & E-MAILS 27.5.09 & 1.6/09) IDENTITY AMENDED. [2215] U 40 AMENDED BACK TO LIVE. NCA. 26.6.14 CINC DELETED, MORE THAN FIVE YEARS. 25.6.14 DIVED 31.5.14 IN 5632.684N, 0118.893W [WGD]. CONFIRMED AS TYPE VIIC BOAT BY SCHNORKEL CONFIGURATION. CONNING TOWER, TORPEDO LOADING HATCH AND AFTER HATCHES SEEM TO BE OPEN. LIES WITH 45 DEG LIST TO PORT WITH THE PERISCOPE IN THE RAISED POSN. STEM HAS TYPICAL MINE DAMAGE. MOST LIKELY TO BE u1020. (S HADDOW, SHADOW-MARINE, EMAIL DTD 2.6.14). NCA.

Circumstances of loss

LOST BY UNKNOWN CAUSE IN MORAY FIRTH. PROBABLY MINED. BUILT 1944. MISSING OFF EAST COAST OF SCOTLAND WITH LOSS OF ALL 52 CREW. (DIE DEUTSCHEN KRIEGSSCHIFFE).

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 56 32.684 N,1 18.892 W
U 1020 on Wreck Map U 1020 Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the U 1020 wreck located?

The U 1020 wreck is located at coordinates 56 32.684 N,1 18.892 W.

How deep is the U 1020 and where exactly is it located?

The U 1020 lies at a depth of about 57 meters and is located at coordinates 56 32.684 N,1 18.892 W.

How deep is the seabed around the U 1020?

The seabed around the U 1020 lies at approximately 62 meters deep.

When was the wreck of the U 1020 discovered?

The wreck of the U 1020 was discovered in 2007.

What country did the U 1020 belong to?

The U 1020 belonged to DE.

What was the tonnage of the U 1020?

The U 1020 had a tonnage of 871 tons.

What type of wreck is the U 1020?

The U 1020 is classified as a submarine.

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