The three Cressy-class sister ships HMS Aboukir, HMS Hogue and HMS Cressy lie not far apart, about 20 miles off Scheveningen.
They were sunk by a single German submarine in 1914. In all, 1459 men lost their lives in the action, while 837 were saved.
The ships have not been legally designated as protected sites under Britain’s Protection of Military Remains Act 1986, which can protect military vessels in British waters or, as long as they were British-flagged, in foreign or international waters.
However, the wrecks can be regarded as war graves ethically.
Dutch campaigners say that the salvage work has been carried out by two vessels, the Bernicia and the Bela, operating out of Scheveningen.
A Dutch Coastguard aircraft has confirmed that salvage vessels have been noted over the wreck sites, with claw-grabs indicating wholesale stripping.
It is thought that rising values of scrap metal, including copper and bronze, have made the operation potentially worthwhile.
According to The Times, Britain’s MoD has denounced the operation, saying: “We do not condone the unauthorised disturbance of any wreck containing human remains.”
Vice-Admiral John McAnally, President of the Royal Naval Association, has urged the Dutch salvors to let the remains of the lost sailors “rest in peace”.
Dutch opponents of the salvage include the Dutch Cultural Heritage Agency, marine conservationists, maritime historians and sport diving operators.
The wrecks have been popular dive sites on a look-don’t-touch basis and, until now, have been festooned with marine life.
The campaigners plan to present the petition to Paul Arkwright, British Ambassador to the Netherlands.
Meanwhile the Dutch authorities are reported to be attempting to put a halt to inappropriate activity on the wrecks.
However, it is not clear whether that means putting a complete stop to the salvage operation.
The petition, which so far has attracted more than 1500 signatories, can be downloaded at www.stopdesloop.nl.
It is published in Dutch but can be translated using Google Toolbar.
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