Stromness, Scotland, United Kingdom

SMS Markgraf

SMS Markgraf is the deepest and arguably most pristine of the three remaining Konig-class battleships of the German High Seas Fleet, scuttled in Scapa Flow on 21 June 1919. The wreck rests almost completely upside down on a seabed of around 45 metres, with the keel reaching up to about 24 metres. Of the three battleships, Markgraf has been the least disturbed by salvage, retaining most of its 30.5cm main turrets and casemate armament. Divers exploring the 175-metre hull encounter the rudder and twin propellers, intact armour plating, exposed boiler rooms where salvage cuts allow penetration for trained technical divers, and the upturned superstructure now resting on the silt. Water temperatures stay between 6 and 12 degrees Celsius, visibility ranges from 5 to 10 metres, and gentle to moderate currents are typical inside the Flow. Marine life includes plumose anemones, ballan wrasse, ling, conger eels, and the occasional seal. Markgraf is generally considered an advanced or technical-level dive and is run from charter boats based in Stromness.