page_title: German submarine U-753
section_title: Encounter with Irish Willow
hierarchical_section_title: German submarine U-753 / Encounter with Irish Willow
caption_attribution_description: English: From the deck of U-boat U-753, signalling to Irish Willow "send master and ship's papers"
context_page_description: German submarine U-753 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. Commissioned on 18 June 1941, she served with 3rd U-boat Flotilla until 30 November as a training boat, and as a front boat until 13 May 1943 under the command of Alfred Manhardt von Mannstein.
context_section_description: On the morning of 16 March 1942, U-753 sighted a lone ship, south-west of the Rockall Bank, it was the Irish Willow and prepared to sink her, until they saw her neutral markings (the Irish tricolour and the word "EIRE"). At 2 pm U-753 surfaced and signaled "send master and ship's papers". As Captain Shanks was born in Belfast, and could be regarded as British, this was considered unwise. Chief Officer Henry Cullen, with four crew as oarsmen went instead. In the conning tower, he explained that his 39-year-old Captain was too elderly for the small boat. He reminded them that the next day would be Saint Patrick's Day. Tumblers of Schnapps were produced, along with a bottle of Cognac, for the crew.
caption: Oil painting by Kenneth King from the deck of U-753, signaling to Irish Willow "send master and ships papers" National Maritime Museum of Ireland
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