BRUMMER

Good diving all year

Protected Area

Waulkmill

Why dive here

With 140+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue whales, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - BRUMMER offers some of Scapa Flow, Orkney's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 8-14°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeYear-round

WetsuitA drysuit

Marine lifeBlue Whales, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) · 140+ species recorded

Water8-14°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 30m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

Diving the *Brummer* is like stepping into a piece of history, just suspended at 30 metres. We love this site because it’s a big, imposing wreck that still feels intact, despite being down there since 1919. The sheer scale is what gets you first; 140 metres of a minelayer stretching out, draped in anemones and dead man’s fingers. You’ll find its superstructure stands proud, offering plenty of swim-throughs where pollock and cod patrol the shadowed interiors. Our favourite part is dropping into the engine room, a cathedral of rusted machinery that feels both eerie and magnificent. The *Brummer* suits divers who appreciate a substantial wreck with clear historical significance, not just an artificial reef. Visibility here can be excellent, though a strong current can sweep through, so pick your slack water window. Keep an eye out for conger eels lurking in the deeper compartments; they’re often huge.

Typical BRUMMER Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

Depth of 30m - Advanced Open Water certification recommended.

Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

Cold water this month (avg 13°C). Drysuit or thick wetsuit (7mm+) recommended.

Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.

Today06:4017:2010h 40m daylightGolden hour 16:24

BRUMMER Wreck History

Year Sunk

1919

Vessel Type

warship

Cause

scuttled

SMS Brummer was a fast minelaying cruiser of the German Imperial Navy, launched in 1915. Along with her sister ship Bremse, she was designed for high-speed offensive minelaying operations and commerce raiding. During World War I, she saw considerable action, including a successful raid on a British convoy off Norway in 1917. After the armistice, she was interned with the majority of the German High Seas Fleet in the vast natural harbor of Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands, pending the outcome of the Treaty of Versailles.

Fearing the fleet would be seized and divided among the Allied powers, German Rear Admiral Ludwig von Reuter gave the secret command to scuttle all the ships. On 21 June 1919, the crews opened the seacocks, and the Brummer, along with over 50 other warships, began to sink into the flow. This act of defiance remains the greatest single loss of shipping in one day.

Today, the Brummer lies on its starboard side at a maximum depth of 30 meters, making it one of the most popular and accessible of the scuttled German fleet wrecks. Divers can explore the 140-meter-long hull, identifying the forward 5.9-inch guns which still point menacingly from their casemates, the armored conning tower, and the impressive stern. The wreck is remarkably intact and offers a fascinating glimpse into a pivotal moment in naval history.