Also known as: SMS Dresden (1917)
Most divers meet the Dresden on their first morning in Orkney. She has become the traditional opening dive of a Scapa week, and for good reason: the bow rests at 23 metres, shallow enough for a conservative shakedown after a long journey north, while the stern drops away to 38, deep enough to stretch the legs later in the trip. 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. The wreck retains intact sections along much of its length, and the depth profile means a single dive can encompass both a leisurely survey of the shallows and a purposeful push into the darker water beyond.
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.
SMS Dresden is a cruiser wreck located off Orkney, United Kingdom at a depth of 38 metres. The vessel was lost by scuttling in 1919. The wreck is diveable.
SMS Dresden lies at 23 to 38 metres depth, Gutter Sound, Scapa Flow.
SMS Dresden 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 Dresden 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 Dresden are May, June, July, August, September. Water temperature ranges from 6°C in winter to 14°C in summer.
SMS Dresden 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 |
2 evidence records from 2 sources.
Bow at 23-24m, stern at 38m. Often the first dive of a Scapa week. Shallower bow for shakedown dives, deeper stern returned to later.
Coln-class light cruiser. 155.5m, 14.2m beam. 8 x 15cm guns. 31,000 shp, 27.5 knots. Crew 559. Scuttled 21 June 1919.
Gutter Sound, Scapa Flow