Orkney (Global Adventures): Scapa Flow is best known as the site of the United Kingdom's chief naval base during World War I and World War II. The huge body of water is sheltered by the islands of Mainland, Graemsay, Burray, South Ronaldsay and Hoy. The base was reinforced with minefields, artillery, and concrete barriers starting in 1914.

Following the German defeat, 78 ships of the Kaiserliche Marine's High Seas Fleet were interned in Gutter Sound at Scapa Flow pending a decision on their future in the peace Treaty of Versailles. On June 21, 1919 Rear Admiral Ludwig von Reuter, the German officer in command at Scapa Flow, gave the order to scuttle the ships to prevent the British from taking control of the fleet.

In one of the greatest salvage epics in modern times, the Germans attempted to sink 74 ships, including 10 battle ships, 6 battle cruisers, 8 light cruisers and 50 destroyers. 52 ships went to the bottom and 22 were beached or saved by armed naval boarding parties. Over the years, salvage operations raised 45 ships. Nine German sailors died when British forces opened fire as they attempted to scuttle their ship, reputedly the last casualties of the First World War.

On 14 October 1939, German submarine U-47 penetrated Scapa Flow and sank the British battleship HMS Royal Oak. Of the 1,400-man crew, 833 were lost and the wreck is now a protected war grave. Three days later, the battleship HMS Iron Duke was badly damaged during a German bombing attack.

While almost all of the ships were eventually raised and scrapped, a few remain on the bottom and have become a magnet for scuba divers. The wrecks are mostly located at depths of 115 to 164 feet (35 to 50 meters) and divers are permitted to enter the ships, but not to retrieve artifacts located within 328 feet (100 meters) of any wreck.

The following wrecks wait to be explored by divers:

Sitting at a depth of 118 feet (36 meters), the Koeln is a well preserved 551-ton light cruiser. It is possible to penetrate the ship through a hole in the forecastle deck, and to examine the conning-tower with the two stern guns still in place. The Dresden II-class warship was the last class of light cruisers to be built during the war.

The Dresden settled at depths ranging from 92 to 118 feet (28 to 36 meters) and sits almost intact on its starboard side. The 5,531-ton light cruiser offers good access and many areas inside the ship can be explored, including the quarters of the commanding officer. Since the ship lies on a slight slope with the bows at the shallowest point, it allows for easy multilevel profile dives. The Dresden is listed as one of the top wreck dives in the world.

Divers looking for a shallower opportunity to explore some remains of the German fleet will appreciate the Karlsruhe, a fast 5,300-ton light cruiser. The ship rests in 59 to 82 feet (18 to 25 meters) on its starboard side. While much of the ship has been damaged by salvage operations, the remaining parts still contain interesting features. Several openings in the platform deck allow access to an electrical control room. The two forward guns lie almost on top of each other and are clearly visible. Local dive operators report that the Karlsruhe frequently offers the best visibility, due to tidal water movements, though never more than an experienced diver can handle.

The bridge, remains of the boiler room, the officers’ quarters, and the crew accommodations can be explored while diving the Brummer. The 5,856 ton light cruiser and mine layer did hit the sandy bottom in 118 feet (36 meters) and lies on its starboard side. The Brummer features a propulsion system that was originally built for a Russian warship. However, after the war broke out, the German navy decided to use in its own fleet.

Another interesting dive is offered by the Markgraf. The sheer size of the 25,797-ton battleship, which sits upside down at a depth of 154 feet (47 meters), is breathtaking. The open hull makes penetration easy. Many divers spend time exploring the inside of this large wreck. The ten 12 inch and fourteen 5.9 inch guns are also easily accessible.

The former flagship of the Third Squadron of the High Seas Fleet, the Koenig, lies almost upside-down. Divers will find out that the 25,797 ton ship did hit the bottom in 148 feet (45 meters). The wreck is badly damaged and the hull is ripped open along much of its length, exposing the vessels inside.

The Kronprinz Wilhelm, a sister ship to the Markgraf and Koenig, settled upside down in 124 feet (38 meters) of water. Many sections of the ship's hull have been removed. The wreck is 581 feet (177 meters) long with a beam of 98 feet (30 meters), so divers may want to spend some time exploring the boat. Being shallower, the Kronprinz is often dived first before visiting the two sister ships.

While visibility can vary greatly from 6 to 66 feet (2 and 20 meters), it is usually best during the spring and fall seasons. Occasionally there is an algae bloom, but it rarely lasts very long. The water temperature varies from 43 degrees (6° centigrade) at the beginning of the season to 54 degrees (12° centigrade) in September.

Exhibits in the Scapa Flow visitor center, located at Lyness on the island of Hoy, include large three dimensional representations of the island and the ships prior to scuttling, allowing divers to get a good overview.

The "Scapa Flow Dive Guide" by Lawson Wood describes many wrecks and dive profiles in detail.

A good video covering some wrecks of the former German fleet (and others) can be found on YouTube.

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Orkney Islands, UK

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