Scientists use submersibles to try to explore wreck of sunken German U-boat off Rhode Island

Scientists are using submersibles to try to explore a sunken German U-boat 7 miles off the Rhode Island coast.

They're streaming the attempts online as they work to learn more about how shipwrecks affect the environment.

U-853 was sunk in May 1945 by Coast Guard and Navy ships, the day after it took down the SS Black Point and the day before Nazi Germany surrendered in World War II.

Researchers from the University of Rhode Island's Inner Space Center, Connecticut's Ocean Exploration Trust and the Coast Guard Academy hope to explore both wrecks during a trip that lasts through Sunday.

By Friday, they had made several attempts but were hampered by conditions and technical challenges.

In the meantime, they're working to explore a 1907 wreck off Block Island.

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Online:

Footage from the RV Endeavor live: http://www.innerspacecenter.org/riwrecks

Map showing current location of RV Endeavor: http://techserv.gso.uri.edu/EndeavorNow