The Great Scuttle

The End of the German High Seas Fleet: Witnessing History
by David Meara (Author)

The scuttling of the German fleet took place at the Royal Navy’s base at Scapa Flow, in Scotland, after the First World War. The High Seas Fleet was interned there under the terms of the Armistice whilst negotiations took place over the fate of the ships. Fearing that all of the ships would be seized and divided amongst the allied powers, Admiral Ludwig von Reuter decided to scuttle the fleet. The scuttling was carried out on 21 June 1919. Intervening British guard ships were able to beach a number of the ships, but 52 of the 74 interned vessels sank. Marking the 100th anniversary of the scuttling of the German fleet at Scapa flow, this book draws on archival material (including a previously unpublished first-hand account) and incredible images to tell the momentous events of that Midsummer’s Day in 1919. 96 pages.