Royal Navy divers have confirmed that an object found during a routine seabed survey at Scapa Flow in Orkney is a German torpedo.
The 23-feet long object was discovered on the seabed during a routine sonar survey on Saturday.
A remote operated vehicle (ROV) has also captured video footage of the weapon, which is lying 104 feet below the water’s surface.
Ships have been advised not to anchor in the area where it was found.
It is believed to be around 70 years old.
Scapa Flow was used as a Royal Navy base in both world wars and is now popular with divers due to the British and German relics lying on the seabed.
More than 50 German ships were deliberately sunk in the area at the end of World War One by their commanders to stop them being divided among the Allies.
At least seven of the scuttled German ships, and a number of sunken British ships, can be visited by scuba divers.
During WW11, Scapa also saw one of the iconic attacks of the conflict.
On 14 October 1939, under the command of Günther Prien, U-47 penetrated Scapa Flow and sank the battleship HMS Royal Oak anchored in Scapa Bay. Of the 1,400-man crew, 833 were lost. The wreck is now a protected war grave.
Brian Archibald, Orkney Islands Council’s harbour master and head of marine services, said the torpedo was German made.
He added: “We have held further discussions on what action should be taken next, with plans now to be drawn up for its safe disposal. “Meanwhile, there is no risk to vessels in Scapa Flow.”