Plans to raise the wreck of World War II German submarine that sank with a hazardous cargo off western Norway have been put on hold pending a new appraisal, dpa quoted news reports as saying today. The online edition of Bergens Tidende newspaper reported that the cabinet would make a decision on Friday to postpone raising the U- 864, which was found in 2003. Norway has investigated various options of raising or encasing the wreck because its cargo of 65 tons of mercury posed a potential threat to the marine environment. The government announced a year ago it had opted to raise the 87- metre-long submarine rather than encase it. That decision was hailed by environmental groups and inhabitants in the small fishing community of Fedje. The wreck was located at a depth of 150 metres near the island of Fedje, just north of the city of Bergen. According to Bergens Tidende, a consultant report completed in December suggested it would cost double the initial estimate of 800 million kroner (135 million dollars) to raise the wreck. The wreck is considered a war grave. All 73 onboard died when a British submarine torpedoed the U-864 in February 1945 as it was heading from Germany to Japan with war material, liquid mercury stored in steel containers.
