First images of wreckage found of WWII submarine downed near North Carolina

NOAA and its research partners have shared the first glimpses in decades of a German submarine U-576 downed off the coast of North Carolina during World War II.

Scientists located the long lost vessel in 2014 and are now performing an analysis of the wreckage.

At the time of its demise, the submarine was sinking ships belonging to both merchants and Allied forces.

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On July 15 of 1942, it waged an attack on the SS Bluefield, a Nicaraguan freighter that was part of a convoy being protected by the U.S. military. In response, many ships opened fire on the German U-boat.

Not long after, the U-576, beleaguered by depth charge attacks exacted by U.S. forces, sank.

All 44 crewmembers onboard likely perished, and their remains are believed to be entombed in the wreckage.

Though the wreckage is being investigated, it will likely not be disturbed as it is considered the final resting place of fallen soldiers.