Hms Royal Oak Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category dangerous wreck
Status historic, Not Fully Surveyed
Hms royal oak Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		58 55.85 N,2 58.991 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 58.930833
  • Longitude: -2.983183
Wreck Depth 0.26 m
Water Depth 26 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name HMS ROYAL OAK
Type battleship
Flag GB
Length 189 m
Width 26.8 m
Sonar Length 206
Sonar Width 52
Shadow Height 28.5
Orientation 45
Tonnage 29150
Tonnage Type displacement
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Jan 14, 1939
Original Detection Year 1939
Last Detection Year 2023
Original Source other
Markers G CONL, FL(3)G 20SEC, CLOSE SW
Surveying Details H0108/39 6.10.39 THE STERN LIES 259 DEG, 4590FT FROM GAITRIP, WITH THE BOWS 052DEG, 620FT FROM THE STERN, IN 585550N, 025858W. (KHM, SCAPA FLOW). - FNM 2471/39. H0108/39 12.3.41 LEAST DEPTH OVER WK 1FM. (AUTHORITY NOT STATED). - FNM 537/41. H489/41 17.5.41 G CONL BUOY, GPFL(3)G 20S LAID. (AUTHORITY NOT STATED). - FNM 1133/41. H0108/39 23.6.43 BN ESTABLISHED ON WK. (AUTHORITY NOT STATED). - FNM 1250/43. H0108/39 1.7.49 BN REMOVED. (RNO ORKNEY). - NM 1270/49. 26.1.83 REPORTED TO BE STILL COMPLETE EXCEPT THAT SPOTTING TOP HAS COLLAPSED AND NOW LIES ALONGSIDE WK. BOATS STILL REMAIN AT DAVITS. 'SURVEYED' ANNUALLY BY DIVING TEAM FROM HMS COCHRANE, ON WHICH OCCASIONS WHITE ENSIGN IS ALWAYS REPLACED ON ENSIGN STAFF. (MR WINTER, TELECON). HH268/440/04 4.9.97 MOD CARRIED OUT SWATH-BATHYMETRY SURVEY OF WK BY COMMERCIAL CONTRACTOR IN EARLY 1996. BOW POSN: 585554.24N, 025849.17W, [OGB], STERN POSN: 585550.58N, 025859.56W. OIL IS LEAKING FROM WK. (SALVAGE & MOORING ORGANISATION, FAX DTD 18.8.97). MEAN POSN: 585552.41N, 025854.22W [OGB]. BR STD. HH268/440/05 27.9.02 DESIGNATED AS PROTECTED MILITARY WRECK WITH RESTRICTED AREA RADIUS 200MTRS CENTRED ON 5855.848N, 0259.001W [WGD]. (STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 1761/02). - NM 5104/02. HH268/440/06 14.12.05 BUOY NOW LIT FL(3) G, 20 SEC. (NLB, TLX DTD 9.12.05 & NM 53/05). BR STD. 24.5.06 WK HAS BEEN SURVEYED BY M/B. LEAST DEPTH OBTAINED GREATER THAN 4MTRS. (M DEAN, TELECON). NCA. SEP 2006/000394419 30.10.06 STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 1761/02 CANCELLED. REDESIGNATED AS PROTECTED MILITARY WRECK WITH RESTRICTED AREA RADIUS 200MTRS CENTRED ON 5855.848N, 0259.001W [WGD]. (STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 2616/06). NCA. 28.4.08 PREVIOUS SI CANCELLED. REDESIGNATED AS PROTECTED MILITARY WRECK WITH RESTRICTED AREA RADIUS 200MTRS CENTRED ON 5855.848N, 0259.001W [WGD]. (STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 950/08). NCA. 1.2.10 PREVIOUS SI CANCELLED. REDESIGNATED AS PROTECTED MILITARY WRECK WITH RESTRICTED AREA RADIUS 200MTRS CENTRED ON 5855.848N, 0259.001W [WGD]. (STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 3380/09). NCA. 16.6.17 PREVIOUS SI CANCELLED. REDESIGNATED AS PROTECTED MILITARY WRECK WITH RESTRICTED AREA RADIUS 200MTRS CENTRED ON 5855.848N, 0259.001W [WGD]. (STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 147/2017). RSDRA2025000126343 09.04.25 WRECK FOUND 2023; CENTRED ON 5855.848N, 0258.989W (WGD). LEAST M/B DEPTH0.26MTRS IN GEN DEPTH 29MTRS. LENGTH 206MTRS, WIDTH 52MTRS, HT 28.5MTRS. NFS.�(ORKNEY ISLAND COUNCIL, M/B SURVEY, DTD 2023). AMEND DWP 0.2MTRS.
Last Amended Date Jun 11, 2025
Limits

Circumstances of loss

BUILT IN 1914 BY DEVONPORT DOCKYARD. A DREADNOUGHT BATTLESHIP. YARROW BOILERS, TURBINE ENGINES OF 40,000 SHP FOR 22 KNOTS. EIGHT 15 INCH, TWELVE 6 INCH, EIGHT 4 INCH AND FOUR THREE PDR GUNS. TORPEDOED BY GERMAN SUBMARINE U 47 (GUNTER PRIEN). STRUCK INITIALLY IN THE BOW AND SHORTLY AFTERWARDS BY A SALVO OF 3 OR 4 TORPEDOES. SANK WITH LOSS OF 834 OFFICERS AND RATINGS OUT OF TOTAL COMPLEMENT OF 1146.

Limits: features shown as areas and not points

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 58 55.85 N,2 58.991 W
Hms Royal Oak on Wreck Map Hms Royal Oak Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the HMS ROYAL OAK wreck located?

The HMS ROYAL OAK wreck is located at coordinates 58 55.85 N,2 58.991 W.

How deep is the HMS ROYAL OAK and where exactly is it located?

The HMS ROYAL OAK lies at a depth of about 0.26 meters and is located at coordinates 58 55.85 N,2 58.991 W.

How deep is the seabed around the HMS ROYAL OAK?

The seabed around the HMS ROYAL OAK lies at approximately 26 meters deep.

When did the HMS ROYAL OAK sink?

The HMS ROYAL OAK sank on Jan 14, 1939.

When was the wreck of the HMS ROYAL OAK discovered?

The wreck of the HMS ROYAL OAK was discovered in 1939.

What country did the HMS ROYAL OAK belong to?

The HMS ROYAL OAK belonged to GB.

What was the tonnage of the HMS ROYAL OAK?

The HMS ROYAL OAK had a tonnage of 29150 tons.

What type of wreck is the HMS ROYAL OAK?

The HMS ROYAL OAK is classified as a battleship.

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