THE WRECKS OF THE BATTLE OF JUTLAND
During 2000 and 2001, Innes McCartney embarked on four separate expeditions to the Jutland battle site. In 2001 he became the world's first paid diver guide to the Jutland wrecks and helped in the location and identification of several previously unknown wrecks. You can read Innes's press releases from the 2001 expeditions here and read an article on the 2000 expedition here.
This section of our website is a tribute to the brave sailors of both sides who fought in this, the world's greatest gun-to-gun naval action. It is fitting that during the 85th anniversary of the battle, the wrecks are being located and filmed for posterity.
The footage from the 2000 Jutland expedition has been used to produce the Periscope Publishing's video the Shipwrecks of the Battle of Jutland. Additional pictures from the video footage taken in 2001 augment the images from the video film.
THE WRECKS
HMS Indefatigable
This was the first of the three British battlecruisers to be sunk at Jutland. She was struck by at least two salvoes from Hipper's battlecruisers around 15.58 on 31st May 1916. HMS Indefatigable was seen to sink by the stern, rolling over to port. There were two survivors from a crew of 1,019.
It proved the most difficult battlecruiser wreck to locate, because commercial salvage has reduced the great ship to tiny pieces. No part of this wreck is bigger than a family saloon car. Anecdotal evidence suggests that German salvage firms pillaged this wreck in the 1950's, reducing it in the process. SMS Lützow and SMS Pommern have suffered similar fates.
SMS Frauenlob
The 3,500 ton light cruiser SMS Frauenlob was sunk by a torpedo from HMS Southampton during the confused series of night actions at the culmination of the battle. There were five survivors from a crew of over 300. This wreck was located by Danish divers in 2000.
SMS Frauenlob is remarkably intact. In 2001 her bell was located. In an unusual piece of rescue archaeology, it was recovered and given to the German Navy Museum at Laboe, where it is presently undergoing conservation.
HMS Defence
Sir Robert Arbuthnot's flagship, HMS Defence was destroyed while attempting to finish off the stricken SMS Wiesbaden, shortly before the height of the battle. All 903 souls on board perished.
This wreck was located in 2001 and proved to be one of the most spectacular dives at Jutland. Contrary to reports at the time, the wreck is in good condition with four (perhaps more) gun turrets in place, still pointing for action.
HMS Invincible
The world's first battlecruiser, HMS Invincible was sunk with all but six her crew of 1,032 shortly before the two main battle fleets briefly collided. The Invincible had proven her worth in 1914 in the Falklands battle. However, like HMS Indefatigable and HMS Queen Mary, she was not designed to fight as a ship-of-the line. Her maximum of six inches of armoured protection was not designed to withstand the 12-inch shells that rained down on her from Hipper's battlecruisers. The photo at the top of this page shows the remains of HMS Invincible after the magazine explosion that destroyed her.
The wreck of HMS Invincible was located by the Royal Navy in 1919 and her position was used as a basis for the Harper Report on the battle. Today, this wreck is rapidly crumbling. In the past ten years, she has collapsed 3-4 metres in height. One of the most impressive sights on the Jutland battlefield is Invincible's 'Y' turret which sits pointing to starboard on the upright stern half of the wreck.
HMS Queen Mary
This 27,250ton battlecruiser blew up and sunk after a magazine explosion, killing 1,266 of her crew. This was the largest British warship sunk by German gunnery in World War One. HMS Queen Mary has been called the most beautiful ship the Royal Navy ever possessed. The loss of one of these 'magnificent cats' was a severe blow to Royal Navy prestige. HMS Queen Mary was the only warship fitted with the 'Pollen' gunnery control system. Her 13.5-inch guns were the most accurate in the British fleet.
Sadly, as a British battlecruiser, her meagre maximum of 9 inches of armoured protection meant that the 12-ich shells of Hippers battlecruisers could penetrate into her heart and cause a magazine explosion which sank this mighty ship in a few seconds.
The deepest of the Jutland wrecks, HMS Queen Mary is mainly upside down. She is blown in half just forward of the main superstructure. Visibility on this site can be in excess of 30 metres.
SMS Lützow
SMS Lützow was abandoned by her crew at the end of the battle. She had been Admiral Hipper's flagship. Its is believed that the bodies of 111 German sailors are still entombed within her. The incredible robustness of the German battlecruiser design stunned the Royal Navy at Jutland. While the British battlecruisers sank after 5-6 hits, SMS Seydlitz survived more than 24 to get home. SMS Lützow was abandoned after receiving 24 or more hits. German battlecruiser design allowed for 12 inches of armour.
The wreck of SMS Lützow lies upright on the seabed. Much of her is recognisable, despite heavy commercial salvage.
HMS Black Prince
This armoured cruiser blew-up and sank when surprised by German warships during the night action. All the crew of 857 perished. The wreck was first dived by Innes McCartney in 2000. She lies in an area of poor visibility. However, her stern section is upside down and her bows lie on the starboard side.
Other Jutland wrecks
In addition to the wrecks shown above, Innes McCartney has gathered enough information to be sure of the positions of SMS Pommern, SMS Elbing, SMS V4, HMS Nestor (or Nomad) and also possibly HMS Ardent and HMS Fortune. These will form the key targets for later expeditions.