HMS Royal Oak The British Royal Sovereign class battleship Royal Oak was completed in 1916, and was much modified during her lifetime. In October 1939 she was sunk by torpedoes from the U47 commanded by Gunter Prien whilst at anchorage in Scapa Flow. She is anofficial war grave, and recently much of the fuel oil in her bunkers was removed as it was leaking out and causing a hazard to wildlife in Scapa Flow. Memorial Royal Oak barge Royal Oak buoy HMS Royal Oak HMS Royal Oak HMS Royal Oak HMS Royal Oak HMS Royal Oak HMS Royal Oak HMS Royal Oak U47 model U47 torpedo