U-Boot Wilhelm Bauer

About the museum

The boat was launched in early 1945 at Blohm & Voss in Hamburg as U 2540 and was commissioned in February 1945. It belonged to Type XXI, the first submarine type able to travel submerged at high speed for extended periods, which influenced submarine construction worldwide after the war. It never saw action: on May 4, 1945, its own crew scuttled the boat in the Flensburger Förde (Flensburg Fjord).

In 1957 the wreck was raised and repaired. From 1960 it sailed for the Bundesmarine (West German Navy) as a trials boat under the name “Wilhelm Bauer” – named after the Bavarian inventor who built the “Brandtaucher”, one of the first German submersibles, in 1850/51. From 1970 it continued to serve technical trials with a civilian crew, and in 1982 it was finally decommissioned.

In 1983 friends' associations of the Deutsches Schiffahrtsmuseum acquired the boat. The specially founded association Technikmuseum U-Boot Wilhelm Bauer fitted it out as a museum ship with a great deal of volunteer work and support from companies and the city; in April 1984 it opened in the Museumshafen at the Alter Hafen in Bremerhaven, right next to the Deutsches Schifffahrtsmuseum. Visitors enter the 76.7-meter-long boat through a door cut into the hull and experience torpedo tubes, living quarters and largely original technology in a confined space. The association finances operation and maintenance entirely from its own income.

Highlights

• The world's last surviving Type XXI submarine
• Six bow torpedo tubes in the torpedo room
• Largely original technology with diesel and electric motors
• Cramped living and sleeping quarters for a crew of 58
• Location in the Museumshafen of the Havenwelten Bremerhaven

Permanent exhibitions

• Museumsboot „Wilhelm Bauer“ (U 2540) – Tour through the walk-through Type XXI boat with torpedo room, crew quarters, control room and engine room; the website adds information on the development of German submarines.

Founded

1984

Operated by

Technikmuseum U-Boot Wilhelm Bauer e.V.

Director

Klaus Kreowski (Vorstand des Trägervereins)

Admission & discounts

No online ticket sales on the website. Guided tours on request by email to info@uboot-wilhelm-bauer.de.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

No official information on accessibility. The tour leads through the narrow passageways of the original boat; entry and exit are through doors cut into the hull.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Getting there & parking

From the Bremerhaven-Zentrum highway exit, follow the “Havenwelten” signs toward the city center.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit