A vast underwater graveyard located off Orkney, Scapa Flow is a premier wreck diving destination. An extensive survey of the area has revealed two previously undiscovered wrecks, leading researchers to dub the area a “historical treasure chest” of the 20th century’s World Wars. A lost warship and a spitfire aircraft have led to speculations of even more secrets waiting in the ghostly depths.
Diving Scapa Flow - Nearly 100 Years of Shipwreck History
Scapa Flow is fabled as the site where the German Fleet was scuttled in 1919, and because the area’s waters are well-sheltered from wind and ocean waves, it has long been renowned as one of the best places for diving historic military wrecks. Although well over fifty ships were sunk in 1919, most have succumbed to the ravages of water and time; the remaining wrecks are protected by Scotland’s Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act of 1979.
The Spitfire was spotted by scallop divers and is located at a depth of just 70 feet, close to the Barrel of Butter. The wreckage is believed to have come from the plane’s cockpit area, and includes a hydraulic pump, oxygen tanks, wiring, and gauges. Following its discovery, the survey began in October of 2013 and has continued with the help of SULA Diving and ORCA Marine.
During the survey, researchers discovered the wreck of the British steamer SS Clio II, which was scuttled in February of 1915. They also uncovered and mapped traces of two additional WWI blockship wrecks – the SS Minieh and SS Rosewood. One of the SULA wrecks experts, Kevin Heath, co-authored the report and stated that the new finds confirm Scapa Flow as a world-class paradise for divers. He told reporters that “This shows the extent that Scapa Flow was at the heart of two world wars, and there is more to be discovered. From submarines to aircraft and shipwrecks, Scapa Flow really has it all. It is a world-class diving location but it is also a vital historical site and will increasingly become so in the years to come. It is an underwater window into the wars.”
Discussing the wrecks, Heath stated that there has been a race against time in surveying some of the wrecks located at the Churchill Barriers World War II Naval Defenses. He added that a large storm that came through the area uncovered more, enabling the scallop divers to discover the Spitfire. “For us, the main thing was to set the record straight over what is there and we found a real historical treasure chest of two great conflicts,” he said.
Marine archaeologist Dr. Annalisa Christie, of ORCA Marine, added that “Scapa Flow contains one of the largest collections of wartime wrecks to be found anywhere in the world. This is of huge significance to people in Orkney, who are proud of the islands’ strong links with both wars. The wartime remains are also of major importance economically, attracting thousands of divers from all over the world who travel to Orkney to explore the wrecks.”
At the same time, there are concerns that tidal deposits and weather conditions are causing the Scapa Flow wrecks to deteriorate. The survey report states that “A number of the vessels at the Churchill Barriers are showing evidence of partial burial. While this may help the preservation of the remains longer term, they will not be visible. Many of the wrecks along the east side of the barriers have greater exposure to storm swells than the wrecks within Scapa Flow and this will continue to break up the remains, affecting their survival.”
Some of the Scapa Flow wrecks are still in remarkably good condition, although wooden decking has eroded. Offering a window into history as well as some excellent marine life encounters, many of the wrecks here are suitable for newer divers. Several others stimulate and challenge experienced technical divers. The diversity of astonishing wrecks here, along with the compelling stories behind them offer insight into the past, compelling divers to visit Orkney, then return to dive Scapa Flow time and again.