GRAND SCUTTLE: The Sinking of the German Fleet at Scapa Flow in 1919

On June 21, 1919 the Scottish anchorage at Scapa Flow witnessed one of the most dramatic events in naval history. The German High Seas Fleet had sailed into British waters under the terms of the treaty ending World War I. Possibly misled by British newspaper reports, the German admiral in command decided to scuttle the fleet rather than let it fall into British hands--the operation resulting in the last casualties and the last prisoners of World War I.