Discovering Wartime Secrets: Recovering Postcards from the German Fleet in Scarpa Flow

The video explores the discovery and conservation of postcards from the SMS Karl's Ruer, a German Navy cruiser scuttled after World War I. These postcards, found in metal boxes, have been preserved for nearly a century. Marine archaeologist Mandy Clydesdale is leading a delicate conservation process to separate and preserve the cards. The postcards, which German sailors would have sent home, offer a glimpse into the past, though deciphering the faded writing remains a challenge for future research.

What significant event led to the scuttling of the German fleet?

• The signing of the Treaty of Versailles

• The beginning of the Second World War

• The end of the First World War

• The Battle of Jutland

Where were the postcards from the SMS Karl's Ruer found?

• In the captain's quarters

• Inside the ship's bulkhead

• In the engine room

• On the ship's deck

What material helped preserve the postcards for nearly a century?

• Metal boxes

• Plastic bags

• Wooden crates

• Glass jars

Who is responsible for conserving the postcards?

• Historian Robert Green

• Marine archaeologist Mandy Clydesdale

• Professor Emily Brown

• Dr. John Smith

What challenge do archaeologists face with the postcards?

• Identifying the senders

• Restoring the images

• Tracing the ink of a pen

• Deciphering the language