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| Special legal protection announced for Orkney shipwreck sites | Special legal protection announced for Orkney shipwreck sites |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| Coded messages were sent to the ships ordering the scuttling on 21 June 1919 | Coded messages were sent to the ships ordering the scuttling on 21 June 1919 |
| Legal protection has been announced to preserve what remains of World War One warships in Scapa Flow off Orkney. | |
| The 52-strong German High Seas fleet was scuttled - deliberately sunk - by its crews in 1919 when the commander, Admiral Ludwig von Reuter, mistakenly thought peace talks had failed. | The 52-strong German High Seas fleet was scuttled - deliberately sunk - by its crews in 1919 when the commander, Admiral Ludwig von Reuter, mistakenly thought peace talks had failed. |
| Some of the vessels have been salvaged over the years along with many artefacts including ships' bells, navigational equipment and even musical instruments. | Some of the vessels have been salvaged over the years along with many artefacts including ships' bells, navigational equipment and even musical instruments. |
| The historic Marine Protected Area (MPA) designation, announced by the Scottish government, will now make it a criminal offence to remove items from the sites. | The historic Marine Protected Area (MPA) designation, announced by the Scottish government, will now make it a criminal offence to remove items from the sites. |
| Orkney Islands Council, which has been pushing for historic MPA status for many years, assessed that the wrecks were vulnerable and there was a risk of losing "features of historical importance." | Orkney Islands Council, which has been pushing for historic MPA status for many years, assessed that the wrecks were vulnerable and there was a risk of losing "features of historical importance." |
| In 1919, more than 50 warships of the German High Seas Fleet were scuttled by their crews at Scapa Flow | In 1919, more than 50 warships of the German High Seas Fleet were scuttled by their crews at Scapa Flow |
| The British warships sunk in Scapa Flow - HMS Royal Oak and HMS Vanguard - are classified as war graves and special permission is needed from the Ministry of Defence to visit them. | The British warships sunk in Scapa Flow - HMS Royal Oak and HMS Vanguard - are classified as war graves and special permission is needed from the Ministry of Defence to visit them. |
| But the German fleet, and other wrecks in the waters around Orkney, have become popular diving sites. | But the German fleet, and other wrecks in the waters around Orkney, have become popular diving sites. |
| For decades items were allowed to be removed as long as their recovery was registered. | For decades items were allowed to be removed as long as their recovery was registered. |
| It meant hundreds of items had been added to private collections or become museum pieces. | It meant hundreds of items had been added to private collections or become museum pieces. |
| Queen of Sweden | Queen of Sweden |
| In 2001, Historic Scotland designated seven wrecks from the German fleet as nationally important scheduled monuments meaning divers could only visit them on a "look but don't touch" basis. | In 2001, Historic Scotland designated seven wrecks from the German fleet as nationally important scheduled monuments meaning divers could only visit them on a "look but don't touch" basis. |
| The historic MPA status widens that protection to other ships and creates additional legal powers against anyone removing items from within the zone. | The historic MPA status widens that protection to other ships and creates additional legal powers against anyone removing items from within the zone. |
| Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said the designation would protect some of the most significant wreck sites in our seas. | Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said the designation would protect some of the most significant wreck sites in our seas. |
| She said: "The designation of these sites recognises their national value and will help to ensure that future generations can continue to explore, learn from, and be inspired by Scotland's underwater heritage." | She said: "The designation of these sites recognises their national value and will help to ensure that future generations can continue to explore, learn from, and be inspired by Scotland's underwater heritage." |
| The fleet was being held in the shelter of Scapa Flow while countries argued over what to do with the ships | The fleet was being held in the shelter of Scapa Flow while countries argued over what to do with the ships |
| Historic MPA status is also being granted to the Queen of Sweden wreck off Shetland which sank in a storm in 1745. | Historic MPA status is also being granted to the Queen of Sweden wreck off Shetland which sank in a storm in 1745. |
| It is recognised as one of the best preserved remains of a ship from the Swedish East Indian Company and was the largest vessel in the company’s fleet when it was lost. | It is recognised as one of the best preserved remains of a ship from the Swedish East Indian Company and was the largest vessel in the company’s fleet when it was lost. |
| Both MPAs will come into effect in November. | Both MPAs will come into effect in November. |
| Orkney Islands Council leader Heather Woodbridge welcomed the announcement. | Orkney Islands Council leader Heather Woodbridge welcomed the announcement. |
| She said: “Wrecked vessels, including those of the German High Seas Fleet, are a significant heritage asset and attract visitors from all over the world, contributing to the economy of Orkney.” | She said: “Wrecked vessels, including those of the German High Seas Fleet, are a significant heritage asset and attract visitors from all over the world, contributing to the economy of Orkney.” |