Cruiser · 1916–1919 · Orkney, United Kingdom
SMS Karlsruhe
Also known as SMS Karlsruhe (1916).
She sits at about 45 degrees, starboard side down, hull and fittings remarkably well preserved for a ship that has spent more than a century underwater in Orkney tidal waters. The Karlsruhe belonged to the Konigsberg class of 1915, with 60mm belt armour, eight 15cm guns, torpedo tubes, and mine rails: a ship designed to sprint at 27.5 knots, lay death in the water, and fight her way home.
- Type
- CruiserGerman
- Year built
- 1916Kaiserliche Werft Wilhelmshaven
- Lost
- June 21st, 1919Scuttled
- Casualties
- 0World War I — Scuttling of the German High Seas Fleet
- Length
- 151.4 m14.2 m beam
- Depth
- 16–27 m
- Location
- Orkney, United KingdomScapa Flow
5 of 7 facts above are cited in Sources below.
Deeper than 78 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.
History and LossLost June 21st, 1919 · Scuttled · World War I — Scuttling of the German High Seas Fleet · Orkney, United Kingdom.
Konigsberg-class (1915) light cruiser. Armed with 8 x 15cm SK L/45 guns, 2 x 8.8cm AA guns, 4 x 50cm torpedo tubes, 200 mines. Belt armour 60mm, deck 60mm, conning tower 100mm. 27.5 knots. Crew of 475.
Range 4,850 nm at 12 knots. Interned and scuttled at Scapa Flow.
Built 1916 by Kaiserliche Werft Wilhelmshaven; 3 years in service, also recorded as SMS Karlsruhe (1916). Lost June 21st, 1919, scuttled during World War I — Scuttling of the German High Seas Fleet.
Condition of the WreckLargely intact, lying on starboard side — approximately 45 degree list, in 16–27 m.
Intactness
Shallowest of the German fleet wrecks. Lies on starboard side with about 45 degrees of list.
Notable Features
- Shallowest German fleet wreck
- Well-preserved hull and fittings
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
- Kaiserliche Werft Wilhelmshaven
- Propulsion
- Steam turbine
- Loss date
- June 21st, 1919
- Conflict / event
- World War I — Scuttling of the German High Seas Fleet
- Latitude
- 58.89° N
- Longitude
- 3.19° 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 — approximately 45 degree list
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
- divers-guide.comdivers-guide.com · Secondary source3 facts
- scapa-flow.co.ukscapa-flow.co.uk · Secondary source3 facts
- naval-encyclopedia.comnaval-encyclopedia.com · Secondary source2 facts
- stromnessmuseum.org.ukstromnessmuseum.org.uk · Secondary source2 facts
- greec.free.frgreec.free.fr · Secondary source1 fact
- orkneystays.comorkneystays.com · Secondary source1 fact
- Scottish Shipwrecksscottishshipwrecks.com · Secondary source1 fact
- Divernetdivernet.com · Club or operator5 facts
- Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org · Background reading6 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 Karlsruhe?
SMS Karlsruhe is the wreck of a cruiser, off Orkney, United Kingdom, at 27 metres. SMS Karlsruhe was scuttled in 1919.
How deep is the SMS Karlsruhe?
SMS Karlsruhe lies at 16 to 27 metres, Cava Sound, Scapa Flow.
How did the SMS Karlsruhe sink?
SMS Karlsruhe 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 Karlsruhe protected?
Yes. SMS Karlsruhe is protected: scheduled monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 (Historic Environment Scotland).