Also known as: SMS Karlsruhe (1916)
At just 16 to 27 metres, the Karlsruhe is the shallowest of the seven German fleet wrecks and the one that gives most generously with bottom time. Forty minutes on a single dive is routine rather than exceptional here — long enough to properly explore a 151-metre light cruiser rather than merely visit one. 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. For divers building confidence before tackling the deeper battleships, she offers an unhurried introduction to the scale and craftsmanship of the Kaiser's fleet.
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.
SMS Karlsruhe is a cruiser wreck located off Orkney, United Kingdom at a depth of 27 metres. The vessel was lost by scuttling in 1919. The wreck is diveable.
SMS Karlsruhe lies at 16 to 27 metres depth, Gutter Sound, Scapa Flow.
SMS Karlsruhe 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 Karlsruhe is rated advanced and is requires an Advanced Open Water certification with wreck diving experience. Minimum certification: Advanced Open Water. Recommended: Advanced Open Water.
The best months to dive SMS Karlsruhe are May, June, July, August, September. Water temperature ranges from 6°C in winter to 14°C in summer.
SMS Karlsruhe 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.
Shallowest of the German fleet wrecks. Starboard side in 25m, divers can spend 40+ minutes on a single dive.
Konigsberg-class light cruiser. 151.4m, 14.2m beam. 8 x 15cm guns, 200 mines. 27.5 knots. Crew 475.
Konigsberg-class light cruiser. 5,440 tonnes normal, 7,125 tonnes full load. Belt 60mm, deck 60mm, conning tower 100mm.
Gutter Sound, Scapa Flow