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High Seas Fleet Salvage Sites Phase 1, Scapa Flow, Orkney
Date April 2017
Event ID 1030847
Category Project
Type Project
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1030847
This project was undertaken by ORCA Marine, University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) Archaeology Institute and SULA Diving on behalf of Historic Environment Scotland (HES). The final project report details the results of survey work undertaken on the salvage sites of the German High Seas Fleet located in Scapa Flow, Orkney. Previous marine archaeological surveys collected small amounts of data concerning the salvage sites indicating that this resource was far more substantial and intriguing than previously believed.
This project is based around the scuttling of the High Seas Fleet in 1919, and will feed into the centenary commemorations marking the event that resulted in the last loss of lives during the First World War. This project involved geophysical survey of all salvage sites of the High Seas Fleet using side scan sonar. Diver survey focused on battleship and battlecruiser wreck sites selected from a combination of geophysical survey and archival research work. Archival research studied and transcribed documents related to the High Seas Fleet salvage operations by Metal Industries Ltd held at Orkney Library Archives.
The scrap site assemblages include major components of ship superstructures. These wreck sites are at high risk from salvage activity and looting due to their deconstructed nature and lack of statutory protection. The surveys and evaluations established the identification, extent of survival, character and condition of the remains in support of Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy (HES 2015, http://archaeologystrategy.scot/). The aims of this strategy are to help deliver archaeology, to enhance the understanding of our past, to help care for, value and protect our historic environment, to encourage greater engagement with our past, and to provide opportunities for innovation and development of skills.
This project aimed to examine, document and create a baseline record of primary scrap sites created during the salvage of the High Seas Fleet. The sites focused on in the final project report are Friedrich der Grosse; Derfflinger; Hindenburg; Von der Tann; Grosser KurfÜrst; KÖnig Albert and Kaiserin. Secondary scrap sites were investigated as part of this project. A secondary site occurs in areas where salvaged ships were moored prior to towing to scrapping yards or where geological features and shallows on the seafloor prevented movement, for example at the islands of Hoy, Rysa Little and Cava. At these sites, blasting or cutting reduced the superstructure to ensure the ship was the correct draught for dry dock. In many instances, the superstructure never was salvaged and evidence of this activity remains on the seafloor.
ORCA Marine and University of the Highlands and Islands Archaeology Institute, 4th April 2017
