One need only read Ballard's effort to locate the Bismarck, to get a sense of the "fog of war." Bismarck, surrounded by three large and several smaller Royal Navy warships (each independently navigating and logging their position), plus Bismarck communicating to base and requesting help, all knew where they were.

Suffice it to say that it took two cruises, and a lot of search work, to find Bismarck. Slow, systematic, painstacking search, or a lucky break, seem to be the modes of discovery. Most often the former.

Now a merchant ship with a noon position (sunk about two hours later - and assuming the master took his log ashore) and the U-Boat log, and we have this situation.

Patience, and a search plan may yield the site.


Dan