SMS MARKGRAF
SMS MARKGRAF
LTO HISTORY. The Markgraf was built in Bremen as one of four König-class battleships to serve in the German Navy in WWI.
The Battle of Jutland, on May 31 and June 1, 1916, would be the ship's first major action. There he suffered five large-caliber hits and 11 men were killed, along with 12 other wounded.
During October 1917, The Markgraf participated in Operation Albion, planned to eliminate Russian naval forces in the Gulf of Riga in the Baltic Sea. On its way back to the North Sea, it struck two mines to starboard, flooding with 260 tonnes of water, but managed to reach the port of Wilhelmshaven on the German North Sea coast for further repairs.
The Battle of Jutland, on May 31 and June 1, 1916, would be the ship's first major action. There he suffered five large-caliber hits and 11 men were killed, along with 12 other wounded.
During October 1917, The Markgraf participated in Operation Albion, planned to eliminate Russian naval forces in the Gulf of Riga in the Baltic Sea. On its way back to the North Sea, it struck two mines to starboard, flooding with 260 tonnes of water, but managed to reach the port of Wilhelmshaven on the German North Sea coast for further repairs.
On November 18, 1918, the Markgraf left Germany for the last time, to be confined in Scapa Flow. It was sunk the following year in deeper waters than most of the rest of the fleet and that saved it from a recovery and refloat to take advantage of its steel.
THE IMMERSION.
In many ways, the Markgraf is the jewel in Scapa Flow's crown, despite stiff competition from the other six ships in the German High Seas Fleet.
At 180m in length, the Markgraf is on a scale that surpasses anything experienced in other parts of the world. The wreck is in excellent condition considering that it has been submerged for almost 100 years. Due to the sheer scale of this shipwreck, it takes time to understand and 45 meters requires a level of experience beyond that required for other shipwrecks. With time spent exploring, the Markgraf soon becomes a first-class dive for technical divers, who do not hesitate to repeat again and again.
The ship now lies almost completely overturned on its starboard side, but the superstructure has prevented it from rolling completely. Most of the interest lies in the starboard edge, but undoubtedly the most impressive is the size of the wreck. Thanks to many of the ship's sections remaining largely intact, including the bow, stern, and rudders, the immense size of the Markgraf is evident in a way that makes it more tangible than the other wrecks. Diving at the Markgraf be an inexhaustible experience.