"The Story of the U-505," Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago

Review of

The Story of the U-505, Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago

Five out of five stars

 The U-505 was a submarine in the German Navy in the Second World War and was captured intact. While the crew tried to scuttle the ship before it was abandoned, the American prize crew was able to seal the leak and pump the water out so that it would not sink. Once secured, the prize crew sailed it to the United States where it was transported through the Great Lakes system to Chicago where it made a short, overland journey to the Museum of Science and Industry, where was opened for public tours. I have been inside the sub and even looked through the periscope.

 This pamphlet published by the museum gives a brief history of the sub before it was captured, the details of how it was done and the dangers to the prize crew, how it was moved to the museum and the basic structure and operational procedures. My recommendation is that you acquire and read this pamphlet before touring the sub, taking it with you for reference as you move through the ship. You will be amazed at how compact everything is, including the sleeping quarters and galley. The combination of the tour and pamphlet is an effective hands-on history lesson.