16. Sir David Beatty reports:
“Between 7 and 7.12 P.M. we hauled round gradually to S.W. by S. to regain touch with the enemy, and at 7.14 P.M. again sighted them at a range of about 15,000 yards. The ships sighted at this time were two battle cruisers and two battleships, apparently of the ‘König’ class. No doubt more continued the line to the northward, but that was all that could be seen. The visibility having improved considerably as the sun descended below the clouds, we re-engaged at 7.17 P.M. and increased speed to 22 knots. At 7.32 P.M. my course was S.W., speed 18 knots, the leading enemy battleship bearing N.W. by W. Again after a very short time the enemy showed signs of punishment, one ship being on fire while another appeared to drop right astern. The destroyers at the head of the enemy’s line emitted volumes of grey smoke, covering their capital ships as with a pall, under cover of which they undoubtedly turned away, and at 7.45 P.M. we lost sight of them.
“At 7.58 P.M. I ordered the First and Third Light Cruiser Squadrons to sweep to the westward and locate the head of the enemy’s line, and at 8.20 P.M. we altered course to west in support. We soon located two battle cruisers and battleships, and more heavily engaged at a short range of about 10,000 yards. The leading ship was hit repeatedly by Lion and turned away 8 points, emitting very high flames and with a heavy list to port. Princess Royal set fire to a three-funnelled battleship; New Zealand and Indomitable report that the third ship, which they both engaged, hauled out of the line, heeling over and on fire. The mist which now came down enveloped them, and Falmouth reported they were last seen at 8.38 P.M. steaming to the westward.
“At 8.40 P.M. all our battle cruisers felt a heavy shock, as if struck by a mine or torpedo, or possibly sunken wreckage. As, however, examination of the bottoms reveals no sign of such an occurrence, it is assumed that it indicated the blowing up of a great vessel. This seems a very probable explanation in view of the condition in which the enemy was last seen.”
17. As was anticipated, the German Fleet appeared to rely very much on torpedo attacks, which were favoured by the low visibility and by the fact that we had arrived in the position of a “following” or “chasing” fleet. A large number of torpedoes were apparently fired, but only one took effect (on Marlborough), and even in this case the ship was able to remain in the line and to continue the action. The menace of effective torpedo attack on a long line, however, in weather conditions which were ideal for the purpose, contributed to the difficulty of keeping within effective gun range of the enemy. Two separate destroyer attacks were made by the enemy.
Details of Battle Fleet Action
18. The First Battle Squadron, under Vice-Admiral Sir Cecil Burney, came into action at 6.15 P.M. with the enemy’s Third Battle Squadron, at a range of about 11,000 yards, and administered severe punishment, both to the battleships and to the battle cruisers and light cruisers which were also engaged. The fire of Marlborough (Captain George P. Ross) was particularly rapid and effective. This ship commenced at 6.17 P.M. by firing seven salvoes at a ship of the “Kaiser” class, then engaged a cruiser, and again a battleship, and at 6.54 she was hit by a torpedo and took up a considerable list to starboard, but re-opened at 7.3 P.M. at a cruiser and at 7.12 P.M. fired fourteen rapid salvoes at a ship of the “König” class, hitting her frequently until she turned out of the line. The manner in which this effective fire was kept up, in spite of the disadvantages due to the injury caused by the torpedo, was most creditable to the ship and a very fine example to the squadron.
The range decreased during the course of the action to 9,000 yards. The First Battle Squadron received more of the enemy’s return fire than the remainder of the battle fleet, with the exception of the Fifth Battle Squadron. Colossus was hit but not seriously damaged, and other ships were straddled with fair frequency.
In the Fourth Battle Squadron—in which squadron my Flagship Iron Duke was placed—Vice-Admiral Sir Doveton Sturdee, leading one of the divisions, the enemy engaged was the Third Squadron and some of the battle cruisers, as well as disabled cruisers and light cruisers. The mist rendered range-taking a difficult matter, but the fire of the squadron was effective. Iron Duke, having previously fired at a light cruiser between the lines, opened fire at 6.30 P.M. on a battleship of the “König” class at a range of 12,000 yards. The latter was very quickly straddled, and hitting commenced at the second salvo, and only ceased when the target ship turned away. The rapidity with which hitting was established was most creditable to the excellent gunnery organisation of the flagship so ably commanded by my Flag Captain, Captain Frederic C. Dreyer.
The fire of other ships of the squadron was principally directed at enemy battle cruisers and cruisers as they appeared out of the mist. Hits were observed to take effect on several ships.