The Inverlane (Wreck)

 shipwreck, invisible

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The Inverlane is one of the blockships in Burra Sound near to Stromness. She was one of the obvious shipwreck sights that people on the Scrabster to Stromness ferry see as they round the island of Hoy in towards Scapa Flow. The Inverlane used to stick out of the water - bows and masts clearly visible. Unfortunately, she is now a diving memory. During the winter of 1996, part of her hull collapsed and much of the wreck disappeared underwater. She is now unsafe to dive.

In a storm on 29th January 2000, the Inverlane finally sank below the waves.

Commission: Launched in Dec 1938 at Vegesack, Germany.
History: The Inverlane was placed in Burra Sound as a blockship in 1944. Thus she is one of the last ships positioned to protect the channel from enemy action. Originally she was a 9000 ton tanker that was mined in 1939. Her bows and midships were made secure and she was transferred to Burra Sound.