On Mid-Summer's Day 1919, the interned German Grand Fleet was scuttled
by their crews at Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands despite a Royal Navy
guard force. Greatly embarrassed, the Admiralty nevertheless confidently
stated that none of the ships would ever be recovered. Had it not been
for the drive and ingenuity of one man there is indeed every possibility
that they would still be resting on the sea bottom today.
Cox's Navy tells the incredible true story of Ernest Cox, a
Wolverhampton-born scrap merchant, who, despite having no previous
experience, led the biggest salvage operation in history to recover the
ships. The 28,000 ton Hindenberg was the largest ship ever salvaged. Not
knowing the boundaries enabled Cox to apply solid common sense and
brilliant improvisation, changing forever marine salvage practice during
peace and war.