Sunken German U-boat search to begin off Newfoundland

An American is heading to the Atlantic Ocean to search for a sunken German U-boat from World War II that he believes is off the coast of Newfoundland.

Jerry Eliason from Minnesotasaid he's searching for the U-656, the first U-boat sunk by U.S. Forces based out of Argentia at the time.

According to Eliason, he's found data indicating the vessel was destroyed by an American plane about 24 kilometres off Cape Race on March 1, 1942.

"We were able to acquire the logbooks of two destroyers that were sent out the following day after the original attack by the Lockeed Hudson aircraft out of Argentia," he said.

"They sent two destroyers out there and they found the oil slick and spent a full day dropping depth charges in and around the oil slick, and those logbooks are the key."

Eliason said he predominantly searches for sunken wrecks in the Great Lakes, mainly Lake Superior, but hunting for shipwrecks in the Atlantic Ocean is going to be a bit more challenging.

He added he's searched for subs twice before, but he'll be using a new technique that's helped him in searchin the Great Lakes.

Eliason said his search will be based out of Trepassey, and hopes to startJuly 18.