Scapa 1919: The Archaeology of a Scuttled Fleet

Scapa 1919: The Archaeology of a Scuttled Fleet by McCartney, Innes. Hardcover edition. ISBN: 9781472828903.

Marine archaeologist Dr Innes McCartney solves the mysterious fate of the lost ships of Jutland and reveals – for the first time – the location and state of the wrecks of all 25 warships sunk in the scuttling of the German fleet at Scapa Flow. The German High Seas Fleet was one of the most power naval forces in the world, and had fought the pride of the Royal Navy to a stalemate at the battle of Jutland in 1916. After the armistice was signed, ending fighting in World War I, it surrendered to the British and was interned in Scapa Flow pending the outcome of the Treaty of Versailles. In June 1919 the entire fleet attempted to sink itself in the Flow to prevent it being broken up as war prizes. Of the 74 ships present, 52 sunk and 22 were prevented from doing so by circumstance and British intervention. Marine archaeologist and historian Dr Innes McCartney reveals for the first time what became of the warships that were scuttled, examining the circumstances behind the loss of each ship and reconciling what was known at the time to what the archaeology is revealing today. This fascinating study reveals a fleet lost for nearly a century beneath the waves.