SMS Dresden (Wreck)

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Light Cruiser - Dresden II class

Commission: Built at Kiel and launched April 1917.
History: The Dresden laid a few mines off Embden and was attacked by a British submarine in August 1917. Owing to a turbine failure she was one of the last ships to arrive for internment at Scapa Flow. Sank at 13.30 on 21st June 1919,
Diving: The Dresden lies in 35 metres with her nearest surface point at 18 metres. In some ways she resembles the Koln, but her stern is more intact and gives the diver a better appreciation of that area. She lists at a slighter angle than the Koln and part of her deck has rotted and dropped away to reveal some of the innards. The bridge is intact and the whole superstructure together with the mainmast makes for excellent diving. The bow anchor chains are present, but like the Koln, the gun platforms are empty. Towards the stern the officers' accommodation section is obvious with its windows and open doorways. Both stern guns still remain as does the stern anchor.

The winter storms of 1996/97 have affected this wreck. The deck has moved away from the hull, so opening it up and making some swim throughs easier.