Also known as: SMS Cöln, SMS Coln II
Last of the line. The Coln was the lead ship of the final class of light cruisers the Imperial German Navy would ever build, and she arrived too late to fire a shot in anger. Today she is the most intact of the four cruisers left in Scapa Flow, lying on her starboard side with many prominent deck features still in place. At 155 metres long and capable of 27.5 knots, these were serious fighting ships — eight 15cm guns, torpedo tubes, mine rails for 200 contact mines, and a complement of 559 men. The wreck rewards a methodical circuit: starboard side in 34-36 metres, with the top of the hull at a manageable 22. Navigation is straightforward, making the Coln the cruiser most often recommended to divers stepping up from blockship depths for the first time. The reward is a warship that still looks like a warship, every rivet and fitting a monument to the industrial ambition of a navy that briefly challenged British supremacy at sea.
Lead ship of the Coln class, the last class of light cruisers built by the Kaiserliche Marine. Armed with 8 x 15cm SK L/45 guns, 3 x 8.8cm AA guns, 4 x 60cm torpedo tubes, and capable of carrying 200 mines. Speed 27.5 knots. Crew of 559. She and sister Dresden were the last two light cruisers completed by the Imperial German Navy.
SMS Coln is a cruiser wreck located off Orkney, United Kingdom at a depth of 36 metres. The vessel was lost by scuttling in 1919. The wreck is diveable.
SMS Coln lies at 22 to 36 metres depth, Gutter Sound, Scapa Flow.
SMS Coln was deliberately scuttled on 21 June 1919 during World War I — Scuttling of the German High Seas Fleet, off Orkney, United Kingdom. 0 people lost their lives.
Diving the SMS Coln is rated advanced and is requires an Advanced Open Water certification with wreck diving experience. Minimum certification: Advanced Open Water. Recommended: Advanced Open Water + Nitrox.
The best months to dive SMS Coln are May, June, July, August, September. Water temperature ranges from 6°C in winter to 14°C in summer.
SMS Coln is accessed by boat from Stromness, Orkney, United Kingdom. A dive permit is required.
| Month | Temp | Visibility | Access | Marine life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 6.0°C | 5.0m | poor | Low — winter conditions |
| Feb | 6.5°C | 5.0m | poor | Low — winter conditions |
| Mar | 7.0°C | 6.0m | poor | Low — winter conditions |
| Apr | 8.0°C | 8.0m | marginal | Moderate — season starting; seals present |
| May | 9.5°C | 10.0m | good | Moderate — seals, wrasse, lobster, soft corals |
| Jun | 11.0°C | 14.0m | good | High — seals, jellyfish, lobster, wrasse, soft corals, pollock shoals |
| Jul | 12.5°C | 18.0m | good | High — seals, jellyfish, lobster, wrasse, soft corals, pollock shoals |
| Aug | 14.0°C | 18.0m | good | High — seals, jellyfish, lobster, wrasse, soft corals, pollock shoals |
| Sep | 13.0°C | 14.0m | good | Good — seals, lobster, wrasse, soft corals |
| Oct | 11.0°C | 9.0m | marginal | Good — seals, lobster, wrasse, soft corals |
| Nov | 8.5°C | 6.0m | poor | Low — winter conditions |
| Dec | 7.0°C | 5.0m | poor | Low — winter conditions |
3 evidence records from 3 sources.
Lead ship of Coln class. 8 x 15cm guns, 3 x 8.8cm AA, 4 x 60cm torpedo tubes, 200 mines. Length 155.5m, beam 14.2m. 27.5 knots. Crew 559.
Coln-class light cruiser. Last class of light cruisers built by the Kaiserliche Marine. 5,620 tonnes normal, 7,486 tonnes full load.
Most intact of the four cruisers remaining in Scapa Flow. Many prominent features survive. Lies on starboard side.
Gutter Sound, Scapa Flow