Scapa Flow is one of the great natural harbours of the world and has been used by ships for centuries dating back to the Viking period. During the First World War, the British Grand Fleet used Scapa Flow as its northern base. It was the most powerful fleet in the world, and in 1916 contained 24 dreadnought battleships and 73 smaller ships.
It was from Scapa Flow that Admiral Sir John Jellico set out in May 1916, joined by ships from the Cromarty Firth and the Firth of Forth, to hunt down the German High Seas Fleet. The two fleets met on 31 May at Jutland, off the coast off Denmark. By the time the battle was over 8,500 men from both sides had lost their lives and to this day the question of who won remains.
It was to Scapa Flow that the German Fleet was escorted following its surrender n November 1918 and here it was held whilst the Allies tried to decide what to do with it. Eight months later the decision was taken from them when Admiral von Reuter, at a previously agreed signal, gave the order for the fleet to be scuttled. Surprisingly, only around eight ships from the fleet remain at the bottom of Scapa Flow. An enterprising salvage company bought the fleet and, using a unique technique to re floating, one by one towed them to the Firth of Forth to be dismantled.
Anna Campbell
Fortrose Academy // Cromarty Community Rowing Club
She grew up on a farm, with Alex, on the Black Isle. She rows sometimes and she has a pet cat. Funnily enough the same one that Alex has!
She worked with John for a month and it represents most aspects of the story in her opinion.
