Cruiser · 1918–1919 · Orkney, United Kingdom

SMS Coln

Also known as SMS Cöln, SMS Coln II.

SMS Coln, a German cruiser built in 1918 and scuttled in 1919, lies at 22–36 metres off Orkney, United Kingdom.

She never fired a shot in anger. The Coln led the last class of light cruisers the Imperial German Navy was ever to build, and she came into service too late to fight. None of the cruisers still in Scapa Flow is in better condition: she rests on her starboard side with many prominent deck features in place.

Ships of her class were 155 metres long and could make 27.5 knots, and they were armed for real work, with eight 15cm guns, torpedo tubes, and mine rails for 200 contact mines, and a complement of 559 men. Her starboard side lies in 34-36 metres, and the highest part of the hull is at 22 metres.

Even on the bottom she still looks like a warship, down to her rivets and fittings, a relic of the navy that briefly challenged British supremacy at sea.

StatusProtected sitePermitRequired
Type
CruiserGerman
Year built
1918Blohm & Voss, Hamburg
Lost
June 21st, 1919Scuttled
Casualties
0World War I — Scuttling of the German High Seas Fleet
Length
155.5 m14.2 m beam
Depth
22–36 m
Location
Orkney, United KingdomScapa Flow

3 of 7 facts above are cited in Sources below.

Deeper than 119 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.

  • Position: Published positions differ between sources; the position shown follows the position policy. Other published figures exist (why sources disagree).

History and LossLost June 21st, 1919 · Scuttled · World War I — Scuttling of the German High Seas Fleet · Orkney, United Kingdom.

The Coln gave her name to the Coln class, the final light cruiser design of the Kaiserliche Marine. Together with her sister Dresden, she was one of the last two light cruisers the Imperial German Navy ever finished. Her armament comprised 8 x 15cm SK L/45 guns, 3 x 8.8cm anti-aircraft guns and 4 x 60cm torpedo tubes, and she could carry 200 mines. She was rated at 27.5 knots and had a crew of 559.

Built 1918 by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg; 1 years in service, also recorded as SMS Cöln and SMS Coln II. Lost June 21st, 1919, scuttled during World War I — Scuttling of the German High Seas Fleet.

0lives lost on June 21st, 1919.

Condition of the WreckLargely intact, lying on starboard side, in 22–36 m.

Intactness

Many prominent features survive on the Coln, which is in better shape than any of the other three cruisers still in Scapa Flow. Resting on her starboard side, she rises to about 22m from a seabed at 34-36m.

Notable Features

  • Most intact of the four Scapa cruisers
  • Many prominent deck features
  • Easy to navigate layout

Regulations and RestrictionsProtected site · Permit required.

This is a legally protected site. Scheduled monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 (Historic Environment Scotland). A permit is required to dive this site. Diving permit required from Orkney Islands Council Harbours department.

No artefact removal — scheduled monument.

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

Nationality
German
Flag
German Empire
Builder
Blohm & Voss, Hamburg
Propulsion
Steam turbine
Loss date
June 21st, 1919
Conflict / event
World War I — Scuttling of the German High Seas Fleet
Latitude
58.90° N
Longitude
3.14° W
Water body
Scapa Flow
Protection regime
Scheduled Monument / Scapa Flow Historic Marine Protected Area
Artefact restrictions
No artefact removal — scheduled monument
Restrictions
Diving permit required from Orkney Islands Council Harbours department
War grave
No
Protected
Yes
Permit required
Yes
Condition
Largely intact
Orientation
On starboard side

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. Historic Environment Scotland.

A further 6 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 SMS Coln?

SMS Coln is the wreck of a cruiser, off Orkney, United Kingdom, at 36 metres. SMS Coln was scuttled in 1919.

How deep is the SMS Coln?

SMS Coln lies at 22 to 36 metres, Cava Sound, Scapa Flow.

How did the SMS Coln sink?

SMS Coln was scuttled on June 21st, 1919 during World War I — Scuttling of the German High Seas Fleet, off Orkney, United Kingdom. No lives were lost.

Is the SMS Coln protected?

Yes. SMS Coln is protected: scheduled monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 (Historic Environment Scotland).