Islands of Orkney, Scotland. The A961 at Churchill Barrier Number 3. The sunken remains of the Liverpool to Dublin steamer ‘Reginald’ is in the background in Orkney’s East Weddell Sound. The ship was deliberately sunk (prior to the construction of the Churchill Barriers) to block the southern island passage to Scapa Flow, and protect Royal Navy ships from attack by German Submarines. After the sinking of HMS Royal Oak by the German submarine U-47 in Scapa Flow, Winston Churchill ordered the construction of a series of four barriers, which became known as the Churchill Barriers. The barriers were constructed (with assistance from Italian prisoners of war) in the 1940’s to stop further German submarine attacks through the southern passages of Scapa Flow. Although intended as a blockade, the barriers also act as a road link (A961) between the islands of South Ronaldsay, Burray, Lamb Holm, Glimps Holm and Orkney’s main island of Mainland.
