Scapa Flow, Orkney.

I have dived Scapa Flow on four occasions now. Scapa Flow is the site of the scuttled German High Seas Fleet sunk in 1919. There are 7 capital ships of the German Navy lying on the seabed. In addition there are numerous blockships, sunk in various channel entrances to the Flow. There are also a number of wreckage sites as well as a few British vessels. The wreckage sites are what is left of successfully salvaged German ships. Originally over 70 ships were scuttled but most were raised over the years by a local salvage company. This is a superb location with a good concentration of wrecks.

Wrecks visited;

• SMS Markgraff. Absolutely huge battleship 177 metres long and 30 metres wide. Lies upside down in 46 metres but shallowest part of hull is at 24m. There are parts that you can enter and brass portholes have been seen here.

• SMS Dresden. A light cruiser 155 x 14metres. It lies on its side in 36 metres.Very intact.

• SMS Kronprinz Willhelm. Another of the huge battleships, lieing upside down but with port side clear of sea bed at 38 metres. One of my dives was along the guns and one of these had brass range finding equipment still attached.

• SMS Koln. Light cruiser lieing on its side in 35 metres. There is easy access to the engine area throgh a hole cut during salvage work. On the timber deck there are rather nice brass lamp housings to be seen.

• SMS Brummer. Fast mine laying cruiser, resting on starboard side. Guns still to be seen. Able to find access into machinery area.

• SMS Konig. Large battleship upside down.

• SMS Karlsruhe. Light cruiser 151 x 14 metres lies on its side in24 metres. Middle part very broken but bow in good condition.

• James Barrie. Steam trawler sunk in1969. Lies on its side in 43 metres. Intact and usually very good visibility because of its tidal position.

Return to diving page

Or Return to homepage