Dresden Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category dangerous wreck
Status historic
Dresden Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		58 52.951 N,3 8.462 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 58.882517
  • Longitude: -3.141033
Wreck Depth 16.6 m
Water Depth 30 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name DRESDEN
Type cruiser (military)
Length 151.5 m
Width 14.3 m
Orientation 115
Tonnage 5300
Tonnage Type displacement
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Jun 21, 1919
Original Detection Year 1919
Last Detection Year 2010
Original Source published World War 1 losses
Surveying Details H8464/19 DWP, LEAST DEPTH 8FMS, IN 585258N, 030823W ON SURVEY [C7953]. BR STD. H6229/23 10.9.23 INS ON 2581, 2180 - NM BLOCK 1523/23. H3402/59 29.6.59 INS AS WK 8FMS. NC 2179. H(W)395/58 22.2.61 ENQUIRY FROM NUNDY (MARINE METALS) LTD RE PURCHASE OF WK. (CP56924/60). H622/61 28.6.61 HISTORICAL SECTION CAN FIND NO REFERENCE TO A DRESDEN IN SCAPA FLOW. (CP57151/60). H(W)395/58 6.11.62 SALVAGE RIGHTS SOLD FOR �200 TO MESSRS NUNDY (MARINE METALS) LTD. (AUTHORITY NOT STATED). H3402/59 31.1.67 4 UNLIT BUOYS LAID IN VICINITY. (CUSTOMS KIRKWALL). TNM ISSUED. H3402/59 13.10.69 REPD 1.5C NW OF CHARTED POSN. (HMS ULSTER, HN 16/69 DTD 14.9.69). H3402/59 29.10.69 SALVAGE OPS COMPLETED FOR THE MOMENT. (NUNDY (MARINE METALS) LTD). TNM 1630/68 CANCELLED. 28.9.70 SALVAGE TO TAKE PLACE AT INTERVALS OVER NEXT 5 YEARS BY NUNDY MARINE METALS LTD. (N/CP 55598/69). H3402/59 THIS WK IS CALLED THE KONIG BY MESSRS NUNDY (MARINE METALS) LTD. WHILST HO RECORDS GIVE KONIG AS WK 0.5M NW IN 585313N, 030907W. H2017/72 2.3.74 POSN CONFIRMED AS 585258N, 030823W IN ABOUT 90FT. (HUNTING SURVEYS). H1287/75 15.10.75 THIS SHIP IS STILL ALMOST INTACT, THERE HAS NOT BEEN MUCH SALVAGE WORK DONE TO DATE. (CPO DUNFORD, RAF LINCOLN 15.8.75). 2.12.77 INS AS DWP 14.3MTRS IN 585258.8N, 030821.8W. NC 35. H622/61 21.10.77 SALVAGE RIGHTS FOR PERIOD ENDING 31.12.82 SOLD TO SCAPA FLOW SALVAGE LTD. (DNC LTR DTD 15.7.77). H1696/36 20.8.79 TO BE SALVAGED BY UNDERSEA ASSOCIATES LTD. (LL, 15.8.79). H4682/75 20.10.81 LEASE ON SALVAGE TRANSFERED TO CLARK DIVING SERVICES. (N/CP53529/75). 15.1.82 VIRTUALLY COMPLETE. LYING ON STBD SIDE WITH HEIGHT 13MTRS ABOVE BOTTOM. GEN DEPTH 27MTRS. BRIDGE AND HULL CAN BE ENTERED WITH CARE. BELL RAISED AUG 1980 BY W RIDING SAC AND PRESENTED TO STROMNESS MUSEUM. (BSAC WK REGISTER, VOL 4). H1310/82/23 9.9.82 LIES ON SIDE ACROSS 30MTR CONTOUR. COVERED IN FINE SILT. MAST WITH RIGGING & CROWS NEST FOUND. SIDE GUN TURRET SIGHTED. (R GOOD, 13.8.82). H4682/75 17.9.85 MOD SALVAGE LEASING CONTRACT NOW TIME EXPIRED. OWNERSHIP TO BE TRANSFERRED TO ORKNEY ISLANDS COUNCIL. (LM NRE31B/2290, 29.8.85). 7.12.01 LYING ON PORT SIDE. BOW INTACT. (DIVER MAGAZINE JUNE 2000). HH268/440/05 17.4.02 REST'D AREA RADIUS 250MTRS CENTRED ON 5852.943N, 0308.455W [WGD] DESIGNATED UNDER ANCIENT MONUMENTS AND ARCHAEOLOGIAL AREA ACT 1979. (HISTORIC SCOTLAND, LTD DTD 22.3.02 AND EMAIL DTD 16.4.02). - NM 2261/02. SEP 2008/000078193 7.10.08 SHOW AS WK 12.2MTRS IN 5852.979N, 0308.525W [WGD] ON SCIMITAR SURVEY 2001. NO OTHER DETAILS KNOWN. NCA. 7.10.10 EXAM'D IN 5852.9603N, 0308.4806W [WGD] USING DGPS. LEAST M/B DEPTH 16.69MTRS. (FATHOMS LTD, POST SDC BATHY REPROCESSING). AMEND WK 16.6MTRS IN REVISED POSN. BR STD. RSDRA2025000126343 03.04.25 LOCATED IN M/B DATASET 2023. LEAST M/B DEPTH 17.38MTRS. DEEPER THAN CHARTED. NFS. (ORKNEY ISLAND COUNCIL, M/B SURVEY, DTD 2023). RETAIN DW 16.6MTRS.
Last Amended Date Jun 5, 2025
Limits

Circumstances of loss

SCUTTLED IN SCAPA FLOW.

General Comments

VIRTUALLY COMPLETE, ON STBD SIDE

Limits: features shown as areas and not points

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 58 52.951 N,3 8.462 W
Dresden on Wreck Map Dresden Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the DRESDEN wreck located?

The DRESDEN wreck is located at coordinates 58 52.951 N,3 8.462 W.

How deep is the DRESDEN and where exactly is it located?

The DRESDEN lies at a depth of about 16.6 meters and is located at coordinates 58 52.951 N,3 8.462 W.

How deep is the seabed around the DRESDEN?

The seabed around the DRESDEN lies at approximately 30 meters deep.

When did the DRESDEN sink?

The DRESDEN sank on Jun 21, 1919.

When was the wreck of the DRESDEN discovered?

The wreck of the DRESDEN was discovered in 1919.

What was the tonnage of the DRESDEN?

The DRESDEN had a tonnage of 5300 tons.

What type of wreck is the DRESDEN?

The DRESDEN is classified as a cruiser (military).

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