Scapa Flow

The Salisbury Civil Service Sub Aqua Club Expedition to Scapa Flow

An Amesbury based dive club made the long journey to the Orkney

Islands in September to dive some of the German high seas fleet

scuppered there during the Armistice at the end of World War 1.

During the 9 day expedition the 8 man team dived many of the

Fleet, including cruisers like the Karlsruhe, and monstrous battleships

like The Crun Prinz Wilhelm.

Diving Officer, Andy Brown said ''It has not only been a chance to

dive on some of the best wrecks in the United Kingdom, but has given us

the chance to bring on the skills of the newer members of the club.''

Following the German defeat in the First World War, 78 ships of

the Kaiserliche Marine's High Seas Fleet were interned in Gutter Sound at

Scapa Flow pending a decision on their future in the treaty of Versailles.

On 21 June 1919 Rear Admiral Ludwig von Reuter, the German officer

in command at Scapa Flow, gave the order to scuttle the ships to prevent

them falling into British hands.

Training Officer, Martin Kite said ''Due to the large number

of wrecks in a small area, Scapa has become a Mecca to divers over the

years. Planning the expedition and diving the ships has been an amazing

experience.''

The Salisbury Civil Service Sub Aqua Club [SCSSAC] meet every

Monday evening throughout the year at the Boscome Down Rec Club

and offers not only regular diving trips around the UK and overseas

suited to all diving levels. The club also has a number of instructors who

can take divers through a multitude of diving courses. Contact the club by

e-mail to info@salisburydiveclub.co.uk for more information.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Scapa
• Flow
• Diving
• Wrecks
• SCUBA
• BSAC
• Club
• WW1
• WW2
• proshow