Heritage

126 heritage for peace and reconciliation | manual for teacherContentsMajor Naval Battles of the First World War and their UnderwaterCultural HeritageThe naval engagements of the First World War were extensive. On the whole, however,they can be characterized not so much as large continuous battles, such as Jutlandand Gallipoli, but more as long-term naval blockades, unlimited submarine warfareand a great number of small skirmishes. Below we list some of the most importantexchanges that can still be retraced on the sea bed. Reference is also made to the fateof the resulting submerged heritage.Kenilworthsteamer ship(cargo) sunkby a mine.© NicolasJobBattle of Heligoland Bight (began 28 August 1914)In this first naval encounter of the war, the British attacked the German naval base ofHeligoland. They sank two German torpedo boats, as well as SMS Mainz, Cöln andAriadne, and damaged three other cruisers. The Germans lost over 1,200 men, whilethe British lost 35. The wreck of the Cöln was moved in August 1979 to render it lessof an underwater hazard. Some parts of the ship were salvaged and are now preservedin the Cuxhaven Shipwreck Museum. The Mainz remains in situ near HeligolandIsland, and it is possible to dive the wreck.The Bombardment of Papeete (22 September 1914)The German armoured cruisers SMS Scharnhorst and Gneisenau entered the portof Papeete, Tahiti, in September 1914 and sank the French gunboat Zélée and the