Which British battleship was sunk by a German U-boat in Scapa Flow in October 1939?
History of Orkney 1918, the German High Seas Fleet was transferred in its entirety to Scapa Flow while a decision was to be made on its future; however, the German sailors opened their sea-cocks and scuttled all the ships. Most ships were salvaged, but the remaining wrecks are now a favoured haunt of recreational divers. One month into World War II, the Royal Navy battleship HMS Royal Oak was sunk by a German U-boat in Scapa Flow. As a result, barriers were built to close most of the access channels; these had the additional advantage of creating causeways whereby travellers can go from
Churchill Barriers buildings. On 14 October 1939, the Royal Navy battleship HMS "Royal Oak" was sunk at her moorings within the natural harbour of Scapa Flow by the German U-boat "U-47". Shortly before midnight on 13 October "U-47", under the command of Günther Prien, had entered Scapa Flow through Kirk Sound between Lamb Holm and the Orkney Mainland. Although the shallow eastern passages had been secured with measures including sunken block ships, booms and anti-submarine nets, Prien was able to navigate the "U-47" around the obstructions at high tide. He launched a torpedo attack on the Royal Navy battleship while it was