Åland Islands · Finland · Wreck
Hindenburg
German navy icebreaker sunk by a mine frozen into the pack ice
The SMS Hindenburg was an icebreaker of the German Imperial Navy. In 1918 it struck a drifting mine that had frozen into the pack ice and sank. The wreck lies in technical water, and a special permit, on top of the general Åland diving authorisation, is required before anyone may dive it.
Also known as SMS Hindenburg.
Where it is and how deep
No published position for this site — the map shows Åland Islands and its other sites; operators know the mooring.
The dive
The superstructure of the Hindenburg is still very intact, with a clock, three telegraphs, a lamp-locker, a steam whistle and a foghorn among the fittings. Porcelain lies on the wreck too, and the steps down to the aft cabin keep their wood panels, lit through portholes still in place.
The wreck
- Vessel
- SMS Hindenburg
- Type
- Naval icebreaker
- Length
- 51 m (167 ft)
- Sunk
- 1918
- Cause
- Struck a drifting mine frozen into the pack ice
- Lies
- On the seabed at 37–47 m
On the morning of 9 March 1918 the Hindenburg was leading a convoy of German cruisers, breaking ice and guarding against mines in the mined Åland archipelago. Shortly after leaving Kärringsund in Eckerö, a mine frozen into the ice blew a large hole in its bow. The explosion killed three of the crew; the others escaped onto the ice.
Marine life and season
The sources we used don't single out particular species here.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Off-season | Off-season | Off-season | Off-season | Good | Good | Good | Prime | Fair | Off-season | Off-season | Off-season |
Season follows Åland Islands: Boats run from May to mid-September, with August the warmest month; nothing runs from October to April.
Know before you go
- On an August dive the water below 40 m was 4–5 °C, against 14 °C from the surface to about 12 m.
Dive videos
WRECK DIVE SS Hindenburg Åland - BALTIC SEA · Dennis Olsen on YouTube
Sources
- Wrecks of Åland — The Baltic Sea (itameri.fi)
- S/S Hindenburg – Divealand — Divealand
- Wreck diver: Åland — Divernet
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