Admiralty,
3rd March, 1915.
The following despatch has been received from Vice-Admiral Sir David Beatty, K.C.B., M.V.O., D.S.O., commanding the First Battle Cruiser Squadron, reporting the action in the North Sea on Sunday, the 24th of January, 1915:—
H.M.S. Princess Royal,
2nd February, 1915.
Sir,—I have the honour to report that at daybreak on 24th January, 1915, the following vessels were patrolling in company:
The Battle Cruisers Lion, Captain Alfred E. M. Chatfield, C.V.O., flying my flag; Princess Royal, Captain Osmond de B. Brock, Aide-de-Camp; Tiger, Captain Henry B. Pelly, M.V.O.; New Zealand, Captain Lionel Halsey, C.M.G., Aide-de-Camp, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir Archibald Moore, K.C.B., C.V.O.; and Indomitable, Captain Francis W. Kennedy.
The Light Cruisers Southampton, flying the broad pendant of Commodore William E. Goodenough, M.V.O.; Nottingham, Captain Charles B. Miller; Birmingham, Captain Arthur A. M. Duff; and Lowestoft, Captain Theobald W. B. Kennedy, were disposed on my port beam.
Commodore (T) Reginald Y. Tyrwhitt, C.B., in Arethusa, Aurora, Captain Wilmot S. Nicholson, Undaunted, Captain Francis G. St. John, M.V.O., Arethusa, and the Destroyer Flotillas were ahead.
At 7.25 A.M. the flash of guns was observed S.S.E. Shortly afterwards a report reached me from Aurora that she was engaged with enemy’s ships. I immediately altered course to S.S.E., increased to 22 knots, and ordered the Light Cruisers and Flotillas to chase S.S.E. to get in touch and report movements of enemy.
This order was acted upon with great promptitude; indeed, my wishes had already been forestalled by the respective Senior Officers, and reports almost immediately followed from Southampton, Arethusa, and Aurora as to the position and composition of the enemy, which consisted of 3 Battle Cruisers and Blücher, 6 Light Cruisers, and a number of Destroyers, steering N.W. The enemy had altered course to S.E. From now onwards the Light Cruisers maintained touch with the enemy, and kept me fully informed as to their movements.
The Battle Cruisers worked up to full speed, steering to the southward. The wind at the time was N.E., light, with extreme visibility. At 7.30 A.M. the enemy were sighted on the port bow steaming fast, steering approximately S.E. distant 14 miles.