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Sms Grosser Kurfurst Salvage Site: Rysa Sound, Scapa Flow, Orkney
Salvage Debris (20th Century), Vessel Breaking Site (20th Century)
Site Name Sms Grosser Kurfurst Salvage Site: Rysa Sound, Scapa Flow, Orkney
Classification Salvage Debris (20th Century), Vessel Breaking Site (20th Century)
Canmore ID 377696
Site Number ND39NW 8157
NGR ND 31387 98068
Datum WGS84 - Lat/Long
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/377696
- Council Orkney Islands
- Parish Maritime - Orkney
- Former Region Orkney Islands Area
- Former District Maritime
- Former County Not Applicable
Multi Beam Sonar Scan (16 October 2006 - 20 October 2006)
Multibeam sonar survey on board MV Anglia Sovereign recorded the remains of the salvage sites of the German High Seas Fleet to the west of Cava.
The sonar identified debris (anomaly No. 20) on the seabed at UTM30N (WGS 84) X: 488976.24; Y 6524957.69. Interpreted as destroyer remains.
Information from Bobby Forbes (Sula Diving) 2006.
Multi Beam Sonar Scan (2016 - January 2017)
Diver inspection in 2016 and multibeam sonar survey in January 2017 recorded two sites likely associated with the only Konig-class battleship salvaged by Metal Industries, SMS Grosser Kurfurst.
Site A lies to the north west of site B. It is a square-shaped feature with a curved northerly side. Diver inspection and archival research of ships plans indicated that this structure is the remains of a charthouse, with a curved northerly end where the deck extends forward around the armoured conning tower. The entire deck surrounding the tower is present on the seabed. The tower itself was retained within the ship and crushed inside once it had been transferred to Lyness.
Site B to the south east, comprises the remains of samson posts, derricks, and a section of mainmast. The types of samson posts present indicate that the remains are from either Grosser Kurfurst or Derfflinger. The spatial relationship between sites A and B, indicates that the sites are related and both from Grosser Kurfurst.
I.McCartney 2019.
Side Scan Sonar Survey (4 April 2017)
Side scan sonar data identified anomalies connected to the salvage of the German High Seas Fleet and initial breaking activities by Metal Industries Ltd on the east side of Rysa Little. The following anomalies were inspected by diver survey and are likely associated with the SMS Grosser Kurfurst.
All locations given to UTM 30 N (WGS84 datum).
X: 488965; Y 6524980. (SS085) Bridge structure cabin with a heavily corroded surrounding platform. A sheared mast abuts the front of the cabin.
X: 488990; Y 6524949. (SS080) 40m to the SSE of SS085 are two samson posts and remains of derricks for lifting Grosser Kurfurst’s pinnaces. There are also funnel gratings, plating, and the remains of a mast and its supporting structure.
C: 488989; Y 6524922. (SS077) Around 30m to the S of SS080, miscellaneous wreck items associated with salvage operations at Rysa that may also be associated with Grosser Kurfurst.
Information from ORCA Marine, University of the Highlands and Islands Archaeology Institute and SULA Diving April 2017
