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SMS Kronprinz Wilhelm

The SMS Kronprinz Wilhelm is a serious hulk, no doubt about it. We’ve always found her impressive, a real contrast to some of the more broken-up wrecks in Scapa Flow. She lies over on her port side, mostly intact, which means you get that real sense of scale as you descend. The sheer armoured plate feels like staring up at a cliff face. We love the way the light filters down, even on a grey Orkney day, catching the jewel anemones that carpet her decks and superstructures. Inside, the engine rooms are a highlight. Penetration here feels proper, like stepping into history. We’d suggest a good torch, as it gets pretty dark in there, but the payoff is worth it – you might even spot a curious curled octopus tucked into a pipe. The deck guns are still in place, enormous things, and we always spend a minute just imagining the sheer destructive power they once wielded. This wreck is perfect for experienced wreck divers who appreciate an intact behemoth with plenty to explore, a true piece of engineering history now home to a surprising amount of invertebrate life.