RNLI Longhope Lifeboat remember the crew lost on HMS Vanguard
A poignant moment on the grey cold waters of Scapa Flow
Today 9 July 2017, RNLI Longhope lifeboat attended a significant commemorative and wreath-laying service over the wreck site of HMS Vanguard.
A hundred years ago, this Dreadnought battleship suddenly sank in Scapa Flow after a series of devastating internal explosions and 845 men tragically lost their lives.
Also in attendance at the service were descendants from the men who died, with Royal Navy vessels
HMS Dasher and HMS Pursuer, RN divers from HM Naval Base, survey divers from
MV Huskyan, RNLI Stromness lifeboat and various other vessels.
The combined team of divers changed the White Ensign flag that is attached to the wreck, which must have been a highly emotive task, presenting the recovered one to the people of Orkney.
Longhope lifeboat then escorted the naval vessels to Lyness where a service was held at the Royal Naval Cemetery.
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