31/05/2006

Protection for Jutland wrecks marks 90th anniversary

New protection for the 14 British wrecks sunk in the Battle of Jutland - the most significant naval battle of World War One - has been announced to mark the 90th anniversary of the battle.

Veterans' Minister Tom Watson said that the wrecks - which lie in international waters off Denmark and are popular destinations for recreational wreck divers operating from the continent - will be designated as "protected places", equating to a "look but don't touch or enter" regime for sea users. He said: "The Battle of Jutland was the most significant naval battle of World War One and thousands of sailors, both British and German, paid the ultimate cost for defending their country.

"This will preserve the final resting place of those who gave their lives so bravely to defend their country."

On May 31, 1916, the British Grand Fleet under Admirals Jellicoe and Beatty clashed with the German Navy off the coast of Jutland, mainland Denmark, as they fought for supremacy of the North Sea. The cost to both sides was sizeable, with the loss of eleven German warships, alongside the British losses, and thousands of men killed.

On Tuesday morning, the British destroyer HMS Edinburgh and German Frigate FGS Hessen met at the site of the battle for a short service of commemoration and to lay wreaths in memory of the sailors lost by both sides.

(KMcA)

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