Historical Research In Support of Maritime Archaeological Projects: A Case Study of the Sinking of the Ashkhabad by the U-402

Summary

In May-June 2013, the Battle of the Atlantic Research and Expedition Group partnered with NOAA’s Monitor National Marine Sanctuary to conduct a maritime archaeological survey of the Soviet tanker Ashkhabad, torpedoed and sunk in April 1942 by the German submarine U-402. Before any in-water work commenced, however, a considerable amount of archival research and photographic interpretation was conducted to provide historical context for the survey. This paper will present key findings of this research, including the history of the Ashkhabad prior to its service in the Soviet merchant fleet, the historical background of its protagonist, the U-402, and details on the fatal encounter between the two, including oral histories. The paper will further demonstrate the potential contributions of privately-held photographic collections and avocational historians to maritime archaeology projects such as the Ashkhabad survey.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for Historical Archaeology 2014   •
• Community Archaeology in the 21st Century: New Partnerships in Battle of the Atlantic Research

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): SYM-20,03