This German V67 class destroyer was 82m in length, (269' x 24'), with engines that could deliver 24400HP through two propellors and a geared shaft, giving a top speed of 36 knots. She was either 924 or 1188 gross tons. Her armament included 3x8.5cm guns, (3.4in), 6x20in Torpedo tubes, she carried 24 mines and had a crew of 87. She was launched on 27 May 1916 and built by A G Vulcan, Hamburg.
A member of No.3 Flotilla, she was one of the German fleet that was scuttled in Scapa Flow on 21 June 1919, although she was actually beached.
Salvaged by either Cox and Danks, or Metal Industries, she was being towed south for breaking up, (probably to Rosyth), when she broke free in fog and wrecked just south of Buchollie Castle, Freswick.
A report dated 1937 noted that the wreck had been sold for salvage but there is no record of salvage operations. It is possible that the salvage attempt was abandoned due to World War 2 and subsequently forgotten.
Today the remains of the V-81 lie scattered close to shore in a general depth of 6 to 10m. She makes for an interesting dive, especially in the winter months when she is relatively weed free. Still to be seen are the remains of her 2-off steam turbines (with rows of non-ferrous blades still in place), possibly a gearbox, a small gun and some other general wreckage.
A short underwater video of the V-81 as she appears on the seabed can be viewed on our You-Tube channel.
A member of No.3 Flotilla, she was one of the German fleet that was scuttled in Scapa Flow on 21 June 1919, although she was actually beached.
Salvaged by either Cox and Danks, or Metal Industries, she was being towed south for breaking up, (probably to Rosyth), when she broke free in fog and wrecked just south of Buchollie Castle, Freswick.
A report dated 1937 noted that the wreck had been sold for salvage but there is no record of salvage operations. It is possible that the salvage attempt was abandoned due to World War 2 and subsequently forgotten.
Today the remains of the V-81 lie scattered close to shore in a general depth of 6 to 10m. She makes for an interesting dive, especially in the winter months when she is relatively weed free. Still to be seen are the remains of her 2-off steam turbines (with rows of non-ferrous blades still in place), possibly a gearbox, a small gun and some other general wreckage.
A short underwater video of the V-81 as she appears on the seabed can be viewed on our You-Tube channel.