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 historical context is provided about the German fleet?

What challenges do archaeologists face when tracing the ink on the postcards?