Fate SMS König

map of scuttled ships showing könig (#7); click larger view

following capitulation of germany in november 1918, of high seas fleet, under command of rear admiral ludwig von reuter, interned in british naval base in scapa flow. prior departure of german fleet, admiral adolf von trotha made clear von reuter not allow allies seize ships, under conditions. fleet rendezvoused british light cruiser cardiff, led ships allied fleet escort germans scapa flow. massive flotilla consisted of 370 british, american, , french warships. once ships interned, guns disabled through removal of breech blocks.

the fleet remained in captivity during negotiations produced versailles treaty. von reuter believed british intended seize german ships on 21 june, deadline germany have signed peace treaty. unaware deadline had been extended 23rd, reuter ordered ships sunk. on morning of 21 june, british fleet left scapa flow conduct training maneuvers, , @ 11:20 reuter transmitted order ships. könig sank @ 14:00; ship never raised scrapping, unlike of other capital ships scuttled. rights future salvage operations on wreck sold britain in 1962.

the ship popular dive site in scapa flow, lying @ depth of 40 m (130 ft) on sandy floor east of cava. turned on sank , hull faces upwards @ 20 m (66 ft) down. there several dynamited holes in superstructure salvagers have gained access obtain non-ferrous metals. in 2017, marine archaeologists orkney research center archaeology conducted extensive surveys of könig , 9 other wrecks in area, including 6 other german , 3 british warships. archaeologists mapped wrecks sonar , examined them remotely operated underwater vehicles part of effort determine how wrecks deteriorating.