Saw this on another board…
Friday, 10 February 2006, 23:51 GMT
Graf Spee’s eagle rises from deep
Graf Spee eagleThe eagle’s swastika was hidden as a mark of consideration
Divers have salvaged a 2m (6ft) bronze imperial eagle from the German World War II battleship Graf Spee that was scuttled in the River Plate.Three divers had to loosen 145 bolts securing the 300kg (661lb) eagle to the stern of the craft in the muddy waters off Uruguay’s capital, Montevideo.
“The eagle is really impressive… it’s all virtually intact,” said team leader Hector Bado.
The ship was scuttled in December 1939 to stop it falling into enemy hands.
Mr Bado told Associated Press news agency the eagle had a wingspan of 2.8m (9ft) and a special barge with a crane was needed to raise it from the river.
