Battleship · 1916–1939 · Orkney, United Kingdom

HMS Royal Oak

Also known as Royal Oak, HMS Royal Oak (08).

HMS Royal Oak, a British battleship built in 1916 and lost in 1939, lies at 33 metres off Orkney, United Kingdom. The site is a designated war grave.

On the night of 14 October 1939, Kapitanleutnant Gunther Prien threaded U-47 through the supposedly impassable defences of Kirk Sound and put four torpedoes into a battleship at anchor. Eight hundred and thirty-five men — many of them boy sailors barely into their teens — died in the cold water of Scapa Bay.

HMS Royal Oak now lies upturned in 33 metres, still weeping fuel oil after more than eight decades, marked by a green buoy bearing a simple request: respect their resting place. Every year, Royal Navy divers descend to replace the White Ensign on her hull, the only people authorised to visit a wreck protected under the highest classification of the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986.

The sinking transformed Scapa Flow's defences: Churchill ordered permanent causeways across the eastern approaches, and Italian prisoners of war built the barriers that still carry Orkney's roads today. Royal Oak cannot be dived, but she remains the emotional centre of everything Scapa Flow means.

StatusWar graveStatusProtected site
Type
BattleshipBritish
Year built
1916Devonport Royal Dockyard
Lost
October 14th, 1939Torpedoed
Casualties
835World War II — U-47 attack on Scapa Flow
Length
189.2 m27 m beam
Depth
33 m
Location
Orkney, United KingdomScapa Flow

6 of 7 facts above are cited in Sources below.

Deeper than 106 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.

History and LossLost October 14th, 1939 · Torpedoed · World War II — U-47 attack on Scapa Flow · Orkney, United Kingdom.

Revenge-class battleship. Armed with 4 twin 15-inch guns, 14 x 6-inch guns. Crew of 909. Saw combat at Battle of Jutland.

On 14 October 1939, U-47 under Kapitanleutnant Gunther Prien navigated the defences of Scapa Flow through Kirk Sound and torpedoed Royal Oak at anchor. 835 crew killed, including many boy sailors. One of the first major Royal Navy losses of WWII. The attack led directly to Winston Churchill ordering construction of the Churchill Barriers.

Built 1916 by Devonport Royal Dockyard; 23 years in service, also recorded as Royal Oak and HMS Royal Oak (08). Lost October 14th, 1939, torpedoed during World War II — U-47 attack on Scapa Flow.

835lives lost on October 14th, 1939.

Condition of the WreckLargely intact, lying inverted.

Intactness

Lies upturned in approximately 33m. Still leaks oil. Green buoy marks the site with a plaque. Royal Navy divers visit annually to replace the White Ensign.

Notable Features

  • Green marker buoy with memorial plaque
  • Still leaks oil

Regulations and RestrictionsWar grave · Protected site.

Diving prohibited without permission: designated war grave (Protection of Military Remains Act 1986). Controlled site under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 (Ministry of Defence). DIVING PROHIBITED. Designated war grave. Only authorised British Armed Forces divers may visit. Exclusion zone enforced by Orkney Islands Council Harbour Authority.

No access — war grave; all artefact removal prohibited.

Additional Details17 further fields held for this wreck and not shown above.

Nationality
British
Flag
United Kingdom
Builder
Devonport Royal Dockyard
Propulsion
Steam turbine
Loss date
October 14th, 1939
Conflict / event
World War II — U-47 attack on Scapa Flow
Latitude
58.93° N
Longitude
2.98° W
Water body
Scapa Flow
Protection regime
Designated Controlled Site — Protection of Military Remains Act 1986
Artefact restrictions
No access — war grave; all artefact removal prohibited
Restrictions
DIVING PROHIBITED. Designated war grave. Only authorised British Armed Forces divers may visit. Exclusion zone enforced by Orkney Islands Council Harbour Authority.
War grave
Yes
Protected
Yes
Permit required
No
Condition
Largely intact
Orientation
Inverted

Sources and VerificationEvery cited fact on this page traces to a published source.

Background reading is listed for context and is not counted as a citation for the facts above.

  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright and database right.

A further 3 fields were derived from the wreck’s recorded position rather than taken from a source.

Licences and credits for the open data used on this site are on the Attribution page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the HMS Royal Oak?

HMS Royal Oak is the wreck of a battleship, off Orkney, United Kingdom, at 33 metres. HMS Royal Oak was torpedoed in 1939.

How deep is the HMS Royal Oak?

HMS Royal Oak lies at approximately 33 metres, Scapa Bay, Scapa Flow.

How did the HMS Royal Oak sink?

HMS Royal Oak was torpedoed on October 14th, 1939 during World War II — U-47 attack on Scapa Flow, off Orkney, United Kingdom. 835 people lost their lives.

Is the HMS Royal Oak protected?

Yes. HMS Royal Oak is protected: controlled site under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 (Ministry of Defence). HMS Royal Oak is recorded as a war grave.