The Wrecks in Orkney Waters: Scapa Flow
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 The Wrecks of Orkney |
Scapa Flow
James Barrie
- Location: Hoxa Sound
- Depth:43m
- Tide: Slack
- Size: Gross Tonnage: 666 Length: 55m
- Condition: Superb
A Grimsby trawler that sank while being towed by the Lifeboat after running aground on the Pentland Skerries in 1969. This wreck is now one of the classics of the Flow. Sitting on her starboard side in 43m of water, the vis here is always better than the rest of the Flow, so that the wreck can often be seen from half way down the shot line.
The James Barrie
S 54
- Location: East side of Flotta
- Depth: 15m
- Tide: Any
- Size: Gross Tonnage: 902 Length: 84m
- Condition: Broken but recognisable
Torpedo boat destroyer that was originally scuttled along with the rest of the High Seas Fleet but salvaged and subsequently re-sunk whilst being towed away for breaking.
She now lies tucked into the shore at Flotta just at the bottom the boulder slope.
UB116
- Location: East side of Flotta
- Depth: 30m
- Tide: Any
- Size: Gross Tonnage: 651 Length: 55m
- Condition: Very broken
On the 28/10/1918 the submarine UB 116 tried to sneak passed the defences in Hoxa Sound to enter Scapa Flow but she was detected and then destroyed by remotely activated mines.
She now lies on a sandy seabed, largely broken up.
V 83
- Location: East side of Rysa Little
- Depth: 18m
- Tide: Any
- Size: Gross Tonnage: 909 Length: 82m
- Condition: Broken
Torpedo boat destroyer, 909 tons, 269 feet long. She could achieve speeds in excess of 36 knots. Lies between 3 and 15m
German High Seas Fleet
Scapa Flow is a mecca for the wreck diver. Of prime historical importance in both World Wars, this natural harbour is now home to the German High Seas Fleet. Scuttled during the armistice negotiations, 70 or so boats sank to the seabed. Subsequent selvage operations by Cox & Danks and Metal Industries reduced this number, but a wealth of hardware remains. Four cruisers, three battleships and a host of smaller vessels are still largely intact and very diveable.
The Kronprinz in Scapa Flow
Dresden
- Location: East side of Cava
- Depth: 36m
- Tide: Any
- Size: Gross Tonnage: 5531 Length: 156m
- Condition: Reasonably intact
Konig
- Location: East side of Cava
- Depth: 43m
- Tide: Any
- Size: Gross Tonnage: 26000 Length: 175m
- Condition: Broken
Koln
- Location: East of Cava
- Depth: 36m
- Tide: Any
- Size: Gross Tonnage: 4500 Length: 140m
- Condition: Superb
Markgraf
- Location: East side of Cava
- Depth: 47m
- Tide: Any
- Size: Gross Tonnage: 26000 Length: 175m
- Condition: Very good
Kronprinz Wilhelm
- Location: East side of Cava
- Depth: 38m
- Tide: Any
- Size: Gross Tonnage: 26000 Length: 175m
- Condition: Very good
Brummer
- Location: East side of Cava
- Depth: 36m
- Tide: Any
- Size: Gross Tonnage: 4500 Length: 140m
- Condition: Very good
Karlsruhe
- Location: East side of Cava
- Depth: 25m
- Tide: Any
- Size: Gross Tonnage: 5500 Length: 150m
- Condition: Very good
F2 and Barge
- Location: Gutter Sound
- Depth: 18m
- Tide: Any
- Size: Gross Tonnage: 790 Length: 75m
- Condition: Very good
Burra Sound
Some areas such as Burra Sound and Hoxa are tidal and therefore dived at slack water. The entrance to Burra Sound used to be marked by the wreck of the Inverlane, sunk as a blockship to prevent enemy access to the Flow. The Tabarka, Doyle and Gobernador Bories all remain in water around 18m deep, making perfect second dives.
The Tabarka
The current scours the wrecks clean and keeps the visibility excellent making this spot the photographers dream.
