‘German submarine’ surfaces on Leeds and Liverpool canal

9:39am Thursday 7th October 2010 in News Photograph of the Author By Chris Gee, Reporter

SUB-STITUTE: The ‘U-Boat’ on the waterway near Botany Bay, Chorley SUB-STITUTE: The ‘U-Boat’ on the waterway near Botany Bay, Chorley

DISBELIEVING walkers on the Leeds and Liverpool canal were confronted with a bizarre sight this week — a fully kitted out submarine.

The craft, which has been moored close to the Botany Bay attraction, near Chorley, comes complete with a turret, periscope, torpedo bay and ‘stealth’ paintwork.

The converted narrowboat, which contrary to its external appearance, cannot submerge, has been created by a Lancashire businessman as a 50th birthday present to himself.

The sub’s owner, who would only identify himself as Steve, said the creation of the craft had been a ‘longstanding dream’.

He said: “Some people will spend £250,000 on a boat or a yacht and just sit in a marina all weekend having a gin and tonic on deck.

“I wanted a submarine, so I thought I’d build it as authentically as possible.”

Over the last six months Steve said he has spent about £25,000 having the boat’s exterior panels fabricated and fitted and the same amount again making the interior as submarine-like as possible.

“I bought a lot of the equipment from Bob’s Bits , who supply hi-tech, futuristic set props,” he said.

“They have produced equipment used on Doctor Who, the Star Wars films, Tomb Raider and the last two Bond films.

“Some of the panels in here were used on episodes of Torchwood.”

The sub is kitted out inside with airlock doors, a periscope and 360 degree video monitors which enable it to be steered from the inside.

There are also authentic sonar and radar systems, infra -red emergency lighting and storage for dummy torpedoes in the sleeping quarters.

Its registration number, emblazoned on the turret is U-8047, which appears to read U-BOAT.

Steve said plans to take the submarine around the country’s inland waterways to different maritime events.

He said: “My dream is to spend time taking it to places like Whitehaven maritime festival or Henley Regatta.

“I’m sure people would be interested to have a look aboard and I’m sure it would put a smile on their faces.”

Comments(21)

thoroughbred says...
1:21pm Thu 7 Oct 10

wonderful....how much to rent for a week or two?

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notchuffed says...
2:11pm Thu 7 Oct 10

Absolutely brilliant, a story to make you smile for a change.

Congratulations and "Happy birthday" Steve

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useyourhead says...
2:46pm Thu 7 Oct 10

if you can't treat yourself in life whats the point, stunning job and may you enjoy it for years to come.

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duke bar says...
4:07pm Thu 7 Oct 10

Hope the RAF come and sink it.

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Gra79 says...
4:10pm Thu 7 Oct 10

Ideal craft for mooring up on the canal round here wouldnt you say ha, at least ud never get a smashed window or some chav pulling on your porcelain ducks.. quality craft i love it..

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stanhillstan says...
4:14pm Thu 7 Oct 10

A Fool and his money are easily parted........

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Davidoff says...
4:55pm Thu 7 Oct 10

Well, there's one who obviously isn't going to suffer when everyone else is starving next come the axe called 'cuts'. Obviously more money than sense. I mean, when you think of the suffering to come for plenty in this country .... what does one think about 'oh, yes, I'll get my barge kitted out like a submarine;' Which I can sail up and down the canal, watching all the people on the way to the workhouse, dressed in clogs, rags and definitely showing signs of malnutrition ... including the elderly of course. Hope it sinks. Because anyone showing off in this way, is just very slightly rubbing the fact they obviously have loads of money into the faces of everyone else who is about to suffer. Why not sail it out of the country whilst you are at it, along with your jackbooted capatalist friends who brought everyone to this place in the first place. Enough said!

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Davidoff says...
4:58pm Thu 7 Oct 10

Oh, did I forget to mention, that all the people on the way to the workhouse you no doubt made your fortune out of the backs of? More than likely. Greed. Oh, and you made it a German U-Boat as well ... wonder if it's a touch of 'irony' on the state of things right now, that those with money are the 'elite' (excuse me whilst I choke in the word 'elite' and all it represents) and those without can go drown.

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ste.g says...
6:31pm Thu 7 Oct 10

Davidoff wrote:
Oh, did I forget to mention, that all the people on the way to the workhouse you no doubt made your fortune out of the backs of? More than likely. Greed. Oh, and you made it a German U-Boat as well ... wonder if it's a touch of 'irony' on the state of things right now, that those with money are the 'elite' (excuse me whilst I choke in the word 'elite' and all it represents) and those without can go drown.
is that a bit of jealousy rearing its ugly head david?

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Meatspin says...
7:52pm Thu 7 Oct 10

ste.g wrote:
Davidoff wrote:
Oh, did I forget to mention, that all the people on the way to the workhouse you no doubt made your fortune out of the backs of? More than likely. Greed. Oh, and you made it a German U-Boat as well ... wonder if it's a touch of 'irony' on the state of things right now, that those with money are the 'elite' (excuse me whilst I choke in the word 'elite' and all it represents) and those without can go drown.
is that a bit of jealousy rearing its ugly head david?
Not a bit of jealousy.
.
This sort of comment is typical of the mentality fo some people in this country. If someone has a go, makes some money, and let's not forget, creates, they get slammed from pillar to post by the morons who sit on their ar&es thinking the country owes them a living.
.
Good luck to Steve, it's not my cup of tea, but spend your money how you like and don't listen to the "woe is me" brigade.

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Meatspin says...
8:02pm Thu 7 Oct 10

Should of read "creates employment"

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ste.g says...
8:45pm Thu 7 Oct 10

Meatspin wrote:
ste.g wrote:
Davidoff wrote:
Oh, did I forget to mention, that all the people on the way to the workhouse you no doubt made your fortune out of the backs of? More than likely. Greed. Oh, and you made it a German U-Boat as well ... wonder if it's a touch of 'irony' on the state of things right now, that those with money are the 'elite' (excuse me whilst I choke in the word 'elite' and all it represents) and those without can go drown.
is that a bit of jealousy rearing its ugly head david?
Not a bit of jealousy.
.
This sort of comment is typical of the mentality fo some people in this country. If someone has a go, makes some money, and let's not forget, creates, they get slammed from pillar to post by the morons who sit on their ar&es thinking the country owes them a living.
.
Good luck to Steve, it's not my cup of tea, but spend your money how you like and don't listen to the "woe is me" brigade.
couldnt have put it better myself.

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sackthegov says...
9:08pm Thu 7 Oct 10

'Davidoff' you really really need to get some self respect and put the green eyed monster to bed!
.
The bitterness and rage oozing out of you because someone has done well for himself is beyond belief!
.
I, like many othrs who posted on here was actually happy to have good news to read for once in this god foresaken world only for you to quickly rubbish it with your selfish bitter remarks
.
If 'Steve' wants to spend his own money this way and so long as its his money what the hell is it to do with you! And I for one say good on ya Steve and yes if I had loads of money I would do the same (maybe not a sub but new house and car) but I don't (just made unemployed actually) but I don't resent Steve's good luck and fortune
.
get a life Davidoff - think you need a name change to 'naffoff' and leave the comments page to them that are not bitter and twisted

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RoverInRotterdam says...
9:34pm Thu 7 Oct 10

Brilliant Idea , if you've worked for the money in the first place then i'm **** sure ít's up to you how you spend it , better than P*****G it up a pub wall or injecting it . Happy Birthday Steve,enjoy it mate..

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A Darener says...
10:00am Fri 8 Oct 10

All the bits required to build this "folly" will have been acquired from small firms trying to keep their heads above water (no pun intended). These firms will have benefited by this enterprise possibly keeping them afloat (again no pun intended, well maybe intended.). So if somebody wants to keep British businesses going then good luck to them. To all those calling him, spend your money how you like and if you don't have any then get off your backside and earn some.

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mickdork says...
12:17pm Fri 8 Oct 10

i think a down scaled model of the QE2 or titanic would have been more pleasing to the eye, but whatever foats you boat (barge) lol,

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notchuffed says...
1:10pm Fri 8 Oct 10

My, my there were some bitter posts here, but thankfully British humour raised it's head and won the day.

Davidoff, Duke Bar and Stanillstan - where have you surfaced from, the losers in life, can't get off your backsides pool?? Or was it that when you were reading the article you were between fixes or in hungover mode??

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donroz says...
5:06pm Fri 8 Oct 10

and it is people like Davidoff who make me realise that I made the right decision 30 years ago to emigrate to Canada !

why can people like that be happy that a person has worked hard to do what he wants to with his money?

I was back in Burnley in June and met quite a few 'Davidoffs', who cannot understand that some people actually work hard, make money and can spend it where and on what they want.

Well done captain, next time I am back I want to see this sub!!

Don

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Michael@ClitheroeSince58 says...
5:32pm Fri 8 Oct 10

Poor sad Davidoff has had my post removed again!!! at least I know he can't stand what I have to say to him, your tosserness is even more complete.

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Michael@ClitheroeSince58 says...
5:37pm Fri 8 Oct 10

Davidoff used to live in the Clitheroe area but was evicted for not paying his council tax and now lives in Darwen :)

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Graham Hartley says...
8:52pm Fri 8 Oct 10

I'm late to this, but what a risk Steve takes! Most of us remember or have been taught what damage U-boats did. Steve should expect rocks, arson, airgun potshots and perhaps bombs. The authorities do not have the resources to protect this 'submarine' from such random attacks.

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