U-7
The maritime historian’s name was Gerald Parr, and he had gone very quiet when Declan showed him the photographs taken by the drainage team. They stood together under the temporary lighting rigs that the city authority had erected along the bank, the cold evening air carrying the smell of canal mud and rust. Gerald studied the image of the marking on the conning tower for a long time before he spoke.
“U-7 wouldn’t be a Royal Navy designation,” he said slowly. “Our government used different hull classifications. But during the Second World War there were a number of captured and surrendered German U-boats that were brought to allied ports.” He paused. “Some of them were never fully accounted for. It could’ve been losses in record-keeping, or more deliberate. A few were scuttled in shallow water off the coast. A very few were… relocated.”
“Relocated,” Declan repeated flatly. “To a city canal?”
Gerald spread his hands. “The canal connects to the Aldermoor Reservoir network. During the war, the reservoir complex was used for classified military testing, including torpedo detonation trials.” He tapped the photograph. “It’s not impossible. It’s just that there are no records.”