Scapa Flow: Where The German Navy Sunk Her Own Fleet

[@MasonObscura]

***check out THE map of every video*** www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=1kYG8ZsjoxVjvZesPs3kp62eHMZCvsR4&usp=sharing

[@m8rshall]

Last time I was this early the German fleet was still afloat.

[@lynnenneji2070]

Fascinating history. Loved the background music. You got my attention. Thanks for the content at the spot where the history happened.

[@danielgdrever]

Your video popped up randomly in my recommended its very well done. I thought you may be interested to know a story about the day the fleet went down. I am the great grandson of Peggie Gibson nee Matheson who was 10 years old at the time of the scuttling and she witnessed it whilst out on a school trip. They were on a boat called the Flying Kestrel, she and three of her sisters were on the trip which was planned to see all the ships anchored in the flow up close what they didn't expect was how close they would end up being. While they were out a sailor from a British ship shouted over to the skipper of the Flying Kestrel to take cover as Admiral Ludwig Von Reuter ordered the Germans to scuttle the fleet so it did not fall into Britain's hands. They took shelter by the side of HMS Victorious at Lyness and this is what she saw- "I saw twelve capital ships sinking. Some stood up on their bows, some went over on their sides and the water was boiling everywhere. Men were on rafts and in boats. We saw them landing on the island of Cava and running up from the shore. Every German boat had its flag at the top mast." I remember being told that she did feel a bit sorry for the German sailors jumping ship, some trying to protect some sentimental items and trying to make their way to safety as the waves grew and bubbled around them. The parents and families of course had no idea if their children were safe out there when the news reached them there was no word if they had managed to seek shelter or get away. My Great Great Aunt Lillian's hat blew off and floated out into the chaos and the girls were concerned that they would be getting a telling off from their parents over the lost hat but they were soon to be met by hugs and tears of relief when they safely made it back to Stromness at around 2:30pm She gave quite a few interviews in her life and we have recordings of her in old age talking about her life and what she witnessed during both wars. My grandad who was her eldest was the historian in the family he has passed down a lot of stories and events that happened in our family and in Orkney's history- our family goes way back. He himself has been involved with a lot of things and was an instrumental part of restoring the Italian Chapel which had been out of use since WW2 and opening that to the public. For many years he was on the committee and provided restoration work to the art there and when the statue of St George was destroyed by vandals he put it back together again. Through the committee they also built a long lasting friendship with the Italians who constructed it and their families.

[@MasonObscura]

Wow. That is amazing. Thank you so much for sharing that first hand account!

[@MasonObscura]

***check out THE map of every video*** www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=1kYG8ZsjoxVjvZesPs3kp62eHMZCvsR4&usp=sharing

[@barrydysert2974]

Mason, i have looked pretty deeply into the history of Scappa Flow. It intersects with several of my favorite topics. WWI and II, naval history and Churchill. And yet, as per usual, You taught me some interesting new things! Thank You!:-) 💜🙏⚡

[@MasonObscura]

Glad I could add to the topic for you!

[@Loki-and-Thor]

I hadn’t looked into much of what had happened at Scapa Flow during WWI. This video was fascinating and I could imagine how difficult it was for the German sailors to scuttle their ships but can also see why they would do it. I thoroughly enjoyed this video, thank you.

[@MasonObscura]

Thanks for watching!

[@snarky_user]

They weren't scuttling their own ships. At least they weren't their ships anymore.

[@markiliff]

Nicely done! Thank you. The RN being away on training when negotiations were finalised… it's almost as if they wanted this outcome.

[@andrewpearson5504]

War always makes so much sense. Another great video.

[@MicrobyteAlan]

You get lost in the most interesting places. Please keep getting lost. 👍👍 you’re a good storyteller. Thanks

[@MasonObscura]

Thank you!

[@ruedihuber8798]

You'll find photos of the German fleet before and during scutling in Kirkwall Hotel, on the walls outtside the lift on the first floor.

[@joshwiggin9372]

Love this, very informative, well done!

[@alextreseder6274]

Fascinating, thank you

[@michaeltaylor1985]

Well... PBS or Netflix will pick you up eventually. I still cant believe how few people get to view your incredible work. I will continue to feel extra special in the meantime.

[@MasonObscura]

I appreciate that immensely. Thank you!

[@olegadodasguerras3795]

Nice video

[@8yourpets]

This was a great video, and a great subject.

[@model101t800]

Nice work, btw most part of the steel was sold back to Germany, who ironical, build new ships and U-boats from it like the U-47, see where I'm going ? U-47 penetrated Scappa Flow on 14 October 1939 and sank the Royal Oak, Battle of Jutland steel sinking a Battle of Jutland veteran

[@MasonObscura]

Wow, thanks for that contribution. Thats a crazy fact.

[@theadventuresofred19]

Reuter is pronounced Ryter in German

[@MasonObscura]

Thank you for the clarification

[@philnewcomers9170]

wot are brits?