The Wrecks of Jutland

Once a scuba diver has heard about the Battle of Jutland, his very first question will be: has anyone found the wrecks??. The short answer is yes:

Located Wrecks
Ship Condition

HMS Defence Her bow and stern have been blown off, and the miships section is intact and upright, and her four 7.5-inch turrets "still facing to starboard."

SMS Frauenlob "Mostly upright" and "mostly intact" -- according to the 2001 expedition, her hull was "double-skinned", and packed with a cork-like substance. Many visible human remains were seen.

SMS Lutzow Lying in about 45 metres of water, she is listing about 160 degrees to port, supported by the conning tower and turrets. The forepart has broken away and is lying upside down a short distance away.

HMS Indefatigable Her remains were "found" in 2001, but not for the first time: she has been heavily salvaged, circa 1958 according to one Danish gentleman. Now, very little is more than 6-7 metres proud of the seabed: "massively blown to pieces" by salvagers.

HMS Invincible Her remains run approximately East to West (bow to stern), the highest point of the wreck being about 41 metres (in about 54 metres of water). The centre section is completely devastated, the bow section inverted and stern section upright. 'X' turret points over the starboard quarter with the turret roof missing. The wood planking on the quarter deck is still in good condition.

SMS Pommern Heavily salvaged.

HMS Queen Mary Little information: at least part of the ship is upside down. Highest point of wreck 45 metres in about 60 metres of water.

**Located Wrecks**
Ship	Condition
HMS Defence	Her bow and stern have been blown off, and the miships section is intact and upright, and her four 7.5-inch turrets "still facing to starboard."
SMS Frauenlob	"Mostly upright" and "mostly intact" -- according to the 2001 expedition, her hull was "double-skinned", and packed with a cork-like substance. Many visible human remains were seen.
SMS Lutzow	Lying in about 45 metres of water, she is listing about 160 degrees to port, supported by the conning tower and turrets. The forepart has broken away and is lying upside down a short distance away.
HMS Indefatigable	Her remains were "found" in 2001, but not for the first time: she has been heavily salvaged, circa 1958 according to one Danish gentleman. Now, very little is more than 6-7 metres proud of the seabed: "massively blown to pieces" by salvagers.
HMS Invincible	Her remains run approximately East to West (bow to stern), the highest point of the wreck being about 41 metres (in about 54 metres of water). The centre section is completely devastated, the bow section inverted and stern section upright. 'X' turret points over the starboard quarter with the turret roof missing. The wood planking on the quarter deck is still in good condition.
SMS Pommern	Heavily salvaged.
HMS Queen Mary	Little information: at least part of the ship is upside down. Highest point of wreck 45 metres in about 60 metres of water.

It appears that other ships have also been found: Nomad or Nestor; Black Prince; Elsing.

Sources:

Warship International, #1 1974
Diver Magazine, January 1992
information supplied by the "Battle of Jutland 1916 75th Anniversary Expedition 1991" (authors of the article in Diver)
"In Search of Jutland's Wrecks" by Innes McCartney (Dive, March 2002)

A more recent diving expedition has put their results online (an external link): Big Guns of Jutland.

SMS Pommern

The wreck of the German pre-dreadnought Pommern has been found... these photographs, courtesy of Andrew Jarman (andrewjarman@cwcom.net) show two items now in the Marine Erhemal at Laboe, Germany (not far from Kiel).

(click for an enlarged view)
The Bugzier, or wooden bow decoration ((c) Andrew Jarman 1992, 2000)

Another view of the Bugzier((c) Andrew Jarman 1992, 2000)

A 'Kisbee' Ring((c) Andrew Jarman 1992, 2000)

(click for an enlarged view)
	The Bugzier, or wooden bow decoration ((c) Andrew Jarman 1992, 2000)
	Another view of the Bugzier((c) Andrew Jarman 1992, 2000)
	A 'Kisbee' Ring((c) Andrew Jarman 1992, 2000)

Last Updated: 24 March, 2002.

Return to WWI The Maritime War

Return to WWI Archive main page.