Markgraf, salvage work is evident at her bow and in the engine room, but highlights of this wreck are the main guns. As the ship sank superstructure prevented it from inverting completely so that her port side can be explored. All her main points of interest are below 98 feet (30m) and access to the guns requires a swim through the space between her deck and the seabed. SMS Dresden – This wreck is
angled across a sloping seabed, stern at 125 feet (38m), bow at 82 feet (25m) at the bow, and is slowly collapsing. The bow deck has peeled away, allowing access to lower decks. Both forward deck guns have been salvaged, but the stern guns remain. Photographing these I used a tripod to take a 10 second exposure, but even with the shutter open for so long capturing detail was difficult in the gloomy depths. Like the other wrecks her
engine room has been accessed, but further forward the armoured fire control point is intact. During late autumn, the soft covering of plumose anemone on the bows was especially photogenic. SMS Cöln – Of all the wrecks, the
Cöln is perhaps the best preserved of the High Seas Fleet. At a depth 118 feet (36m), this sister ship to the Dresden lays on its starboard side appearing in remarkably good condition. Whereas the Dresden appears broken the Cöln, from the bow through the armored fire control and bridge beyond is beautifully intact. All of us rated the Cöln highly and selected her for a second dive. SMS Seydlitz Salvage Site –
This battle cruiser was raised and scrapped, but the debris field she left behind makes a great dive. As the ship was raised much of her upper works sheared or fell off, leaving guns, masts and rigging,
Left: SMS
Karlsruhe is a popular first
dive in shallower water. Right: SMS Dresden
affords access to her lower decks
a searchlight iris and sections of armored superstructure behind. In just 66 feet (20m), this site makes an excellent second dive and the natural light is better than on most area wrecks.
Legal Facts In 2001 the main wrecks were scheduled as monuments of national importance under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act (AMAAA), law protecting the archaeological heritage of Great Britain, and fall under the care of Historic Scotland, an agency of the Scottish government. In practice this means divers do not require a permit, but dives are on a look-but- don’t-touch basis, and damaging a wreck is a criminal act.
For more information visit:
www.scapaflowwrecks.com
www.divermag.com 41
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