Also known as: UB-116, UB116
On 28 October 1918, with the Armistice barely a fortnight away, UB-116 attempted one of the war's most audacious submarine operations: a solo penetration of Scapa Flow through the mined entrance at Hoxa Sound to attack the British Grand Fleet at anchor. She never made it. British hydrophone operators tracked her approach and detonated a remote-controlled mine that killed all 34 crew — the last U-boat lost in the First World War. Raised in 1919, she broke free and sank again at the mouth of Pan Hope Bay; a controlled explosion later dealt with her remaining live torpedoes, and the blast left her barely recognisable as a submarine. What remains is a scattered field of torn steel and bent piping in 26 to 32 metres, with the conning tower standing as the only clearly identifiable feature. Orientation is challenging, but the story gives every twisted plate its weight. This is the physical full stop at the end of the U-boat war.
The last U-boat sunk in the First World War never even saw her target. On 28 October 1918 — just two weeks before the Armistice — UB-116 attempted to slip into Scapa Flow through Hoxa Sound to attack British capital ships at anchor. What her crew did not know was that the defences had been recently upgraded with hydrophone-triggered mines. Shore operators detected the submarine's approach and detonated a mine directly beneath her. All 34 crew were killed instantly. The wreck was raised in 1919 but foundered at the mouth of Pan Hope Bay during the tow. Live torpedoes were later dealt with by controlled explosion. Today UB-116 lies at 26 to 32 metres on a sandy seabed, broken but identifiable — conning tower, torpedo tubes, and hull sections visible. She is one of very few diveable U-boat wrecks in British waters and the only one in Scapa Flow.
SM UB-116 is a submarine wreck located off Orkney, United Kingdom at a depth of 32 metres. The vessel was lost due to mined in 1918. The wreck is diveable.
SM UB-116 lies at 26 to 32 metres depth, Mouth of Pan Hope Bay, east side of Flotta, Scapa Flow.
SM UB-116 was lost due to mined on 28 October 1918 during World War I, off Orkney, United Kingdom. 34 people lost their lives.
Diving the SM UB-116 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 SM UB-116 are May, June, July, August, September. Water temperature ranges from 6°C in winter to 14°C in summer.
SM UB-116 is accessed by boat from Lyness, 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.
Depth 26-32m. Very broken up. Conning tower main identifiable feature. Exposed position at mouth of Pan Hope Bay.
Type UB III. Last U-boat sunk in WWI. Attempted Hoxa Sound penetration, destroyed by remote-controlled mine 28 Oct 1918. All hands lost. Raised 1919, foundered again.
Type UB III submarine. 55.30m, 5.80m beam. 519t surfaced, 649t submerged. 13.3 kn surfaced, 7.5 kn submerged. 10 torpedoes, 8.8cm gun.
Mouth of Pan Hope Bay, east side of Flotta, Scapa Flow