Scapa Flow

Scapa Flow was the chief anchorage of The Grand Fleet in World War One. The massive body of water was enclosed by the Orkney Islands of Mainland, Graemsay, Burray, South Ronaldsay and Hoy. Scapa Flow's position north-east of Scotland made it the perfect place to maintain the blockade of Germany and interdict and German vessels attempting to break out into the Atlantic.

The Grand Fleet moved to Scapa soon after its formation upon the outbreak of war, with vessels coming from the manning ports and the Mediterranean. In November, 1914 however a German submarine succeeded in penetrating the defences of the anchorage. In response, the fleet dispersed all over the United Kingdom (resulting in the loss of HMS Audacious) while new measures were put in place. Twenty-one merchant ships were sunk in the approaches. Indicator nets were also used, albeit unsuccessfully.

Two submarines sank trying to enter Scapa Flow, but one managed to pass through the sound and lay mines at Birsay to the north; one of which sank the cruiser HMS Hampshire on the 5 June, 1916 with the loss of all but twelve of her six hundred and sixty five, including the Secretary of State for War, Lord Kitchener. This tragedy occurred five days after the inconclusive action at Jutland fought by the Grand Fleet, most of whose units had sallied forth from Scapa.

The disadvantages of Scapa Flow are apparent. It had not been actively prepared as a base for the fleet before the war, and it had no docking facilites for major vessels. 100,000 tons of coal a week had to be transported by rail up to the north of Scotland and then shipped across the Pentland Firth, one of the worlds stormier seaways, and stored in ships in the anchorage.