Cruiser · 1918–1919 · Orkney, United Kingdom
SMS Dresden
Also known as SMS Dresden (1917).
That versatility is no accident of geography — the Dresden lies on her port side along a natural gradient, the hull itself mapping out a progression from comfortable to challenging. Sister ship to the Coln and one of the last light cruisers the Kaiser's yards would ever launch, she carried eight 15cm guns, torpedo tubes, and rails for 200 mines at close to 28 knots.
- 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
- 23–38 m
- Location
- Orkney, United KingdomScapa Flow
4 of 7 facts above are cited in Sources below.
Deeper than 126 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.
- Depth: 38 m shown; range in sources 34–38 m. 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.
Second and final Coln-class light cruiser completed. Armed with 8 x 15cm SK L/45 guns, 3 x 8.8cm AA guns, 4 x 60cm torpedo tubes, 200 mines. 31,000 shp, 27.5 knots. Crew of 559. Interned at Scapa Flow and scuttled on orders of Rear Admiral Ludwig von Reuter.
Built 1918 by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg; 1 years in service, also recorded as SMS Dresden (1917). Lost June 21st, 1919, scuttled during World War I — Scuttling of the German High Seas Fleet.
Condition of the WreckLargely intact, lying on port side — bow shallower, stern deeper, in 23–38 m.
Intactness
Lies on port side. Bow at 23m, stern at 38m.
Notable Features
- Depth gradient from 23m bow to 38m stern
- Intact sections
- Good range of features across the depth profile
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
- 58.88° 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 port side — bow shallower, stern deeper
Sources and VerificationEvery cited fact on this page traces to a published source.
- Historic Environment Scotland (Canmore, NRHE)inspire.hes.scot · Official record10 facts
- UK Hydrographic Officedatahub.admiralty.co.uk · Official record4 facts
- Historic Environment Scotland (Canmore)trove.scot · Official record3 facts
- Scapa Flow Wrecksscapaflowwrecks.com · Secondary source13 facts
- hmdb.org (archived)hmdb.org · Secondary source6 facts
- divers-guide.comdivers-guide.com · Secondary source5 facts
- militaer-wissen.de (archived)militaer-wissen.de · Secondary source4 facts
- shipindex.orgshipindex.org · Secondary source4 facts
- openwateratlas.comopenwateratlas.com · Secondary source2 facts
- orkneystays.comorkneystays.com · Secondary source1 fact
- Scottish Shipwrecksscottishshipwrecks.com · Secondary source1 fact
- Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org · Background reading8 facts
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.
- Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright and database right.
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 Dresden?
SMS Dresden is the wreck of a cruiser, off Orkney, United Kingdom, at 38 metres. SMS Dresden was scuttled in 1919.
How deep is the SMS Dresden?
SMS Dresden lies at 23 to 38 metres, Cava Sound, Scapa Flow.
How did the SMS Dresden sink?
SMS Dresden 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 Dresden protected?
Yes. SMS Dresden is protected: scheduled monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 (Historic Environment Scotland).