wreck

Log This Dive

JOHN RANDOLPH (FORE PART)

The John Randolph’s fore part is, for us, one of Scapa Flow’s real characters. It's not a pristine wreck, mind you. This is a salvage casualty, dumped unceremoniously, and that’s precisely what we love about it. You drop down onto a jumbled collection of heavy steel plates and beams, the ship’s bow sections all askew. It feels chaotic, almost sculptural in its collapse. We often find ourselves poking around the anchor chains, which are still very much in evidence, leading off into the gloom. Look closely here; the chains are fantastic for plumose anemones, their white tentacles swaying gently in the slight surge. Inside some of the more enclosed spaces, you’ll find squat lobsters tucked away, and the occasional ling slinking past. We usually work our way along what would have been the main deck, identifying cargo winches and various pieces of machinery, all heavily encrusted. The sheer scale of the twisted metal is impressive, a testament to the forces that tore her apart and put her here. It’s a site that rewards patient exploration, especially for those who appreciate the raw history of these Scapa wrecks.