Torpedo explosives detonated in Scapa Flow

The explosives from a World War Two torpedo, discovered in Scapa Flow in February, were detonated via a controlled explosion this afternoon.

A bomb disposal team from the Royal Navy’s Northern Diving Group had tried to detonate the explosives this morning but, it is though that due to degradation, only succeeded in freeing the drum containing the explosives, which then rose to the water’s surface.

The explosives were detonated on the surface of the water just before 3pm this afternoon. The remains of the torpedo are now to be salvaged by the Royal Navy team

The torpedo is thought to be one of those fired from the German U-boat which attacked, and sank, HMS Royal Oak in October 1939.