View source for Beatty's Report on The Battle of Jutland

<font size =4>31 May 1916</font><br><br><FONT size=-1>(Extracted from: <I>The Beatty Papers</I>, vol. 1, 
B.McL. Ranft, ed, Navy Records Society, 1989, p 323)</FONT> 
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At 2.20 p.m. reports were received from <I>Galatea</I>, the light cruiser 
stationed on the eastward flanks, indicating the presence of enemy vessels. The 
direction of advance was immediately altered to S. S. E., the course for Horn 
Reef, so as to place my force between the enemy and his base. At 2.35 p.m, a 
considerable amount of smoke was sighted to the eastward. This made it clear 
that the enemy was to the northward and eastward and that it would be impossible 
for him to round the Horn Reef without being brought to action. Course was 
accordingly altered to eastward and northeastward, the enemy being sighted at 
3.31 p.m. They appeared to be five battle cruisers.<br><br>

After the first report of the enemy the 1st and 3rd Light Cruiser Squadrons 
changed their direction and without waiting for orders spread to the east, 
thereby forming a screen in advance of the Battle Cruiser Squadrons and 5th 
Battle Squadron by the time we had hauled up to the course of approach. They 
engaged enemy light cruisers at long range. In the meantime the 2nd Light 
Cruiser Squadron had come in at high speed and was able to take station ahead of 
the battle cruisers by the time we turned E.S.E., the course on which we first 
engaged the enemy. In this respect the work of the light cruiser squadrons was 
excellent and of great value. <br><br>

From a report from <I>Galatea</I> at 2.25 p.m. it was evident that the enemy 
force was considerable and not merely an isolated unit of light cruisers, so at 
2.45 p.m. I ordered <I>Engadine</I> to send up a seaplane and scout to N.N.E. At 
3.08 p.m. a seaplane was well under way; her first reports of the enemy were 
received in <I>Engadine</I> about 3.30 p.m. Owing to clouds it was necessary to 
fly very low, and in order to identify four enemy light cruisers the plane had 
to fly at a height of 900 feet within 3,000 yards of them, the light cruisers 
opening fire on her with every gun that would bear. This in no way interfered 
with the clarity of reports, which indicate that seaplane under such 
circumstance are of distinct value. <br><br>

At 3.30 p. m. I increased speed to 25 knots and formed line of battle, the 
2nd Battle Cruiser Squadron forming astern of the 1st Battle Cruiser Squadron, 
with destroyers of the 13th and 9th Flotillas taking station ahead. I turned to 
E.S.E., slightly converging on the enemy, who were not at a range of 3,000 
yards, and formed the ships on a line of bearing to clear the smoke. The 5th 
Battle Squadron, who had conformed to our movements, were now bearing N.N.W., 
10,000 yards. The visibility at this time was good, the sun behind us, and the 
wind S.E. Being between the enemy and his base, our situation was both 
tactically and strategically good. <br><br>

At 3.48 p.m. the action commenced at a range of 18,500 yards, both forces 
opening fire practically simultaneously. Course was altered to the southward, 
and subsequently the mean direction was S.W.E., the enemy steering a parallel 
course distant about 18,000 to 14,500 yards. <br><br>

It would appear that at this time we passed through a screen of enemy 
submarines. The destroyer <I>Landrail</I> of 9th Flotilla, who was on our port 
beam trying to take station ahead, sighted the periscope of a submarine on her 
port quarter. Though causing considerable inconvenience from smoke, the presence 
of <I>Lydiard</I> and <I>Landrail</I> undoubtedly preserved the battle cruisers 
from closer submarine attack. <I>Nottingham</I> also reported a submarine on the 
starboard beam. <br><br>

Eight destroyers of the 13th Flotilla, <I>Nestor</I>, <I>Nomad</I>, 
<I>Nicator</I>, <I>Narborough</I>, <I>Pelican</I>, <I>Petard</I>. 
<I>Obdurate</I>. <I>Nerissa</I>, with <I>Moorsom</I> and <I>Morris</I> of 10th 
Flotilla, <I>Turbulent</I> and <I>Termagant</I> of the 9th Flotilla, having been 
ordered to attack the enemy with torpedoes when opportunity offered, moved out 
at 4.15 p.m. simultaneously with a similar movement on the part of the enemy. 
The attack was carried out in the most gallant manner and with great 
determination. Before arriving at a favorable position to fire torpedoes, they 
intercepted an enemy force consisting of a light cruiser and 15 destroyers. A 
fierce engagement ensued at close quarters, with the result that the enemy was 
forced to retire on their battle cruisers, having lost two destroyers sunk, and 
having their torpedo attack frustrated. (Some torpedoes were fired by the enemy 
two of which crossed the track of the 5th Battle Squadron, which had been turned 
away to avoid the attacks.) Our destroyers sustained no loss in this engagement, 
but their attack on the enemy battle cruisers was rendered less effective owing 
to some of the destroyers having dropped astern during the fight. Their position 
was therefore unfavorable for torpedo attack. <br><br>

<I>Nestor</I>, <I>Nomad</I> and <I>Nicator</I> pressed home their attack on 
the battle cruisers and fired two torpedoes at them at a range of 6,000 and 
5,000 yards, being subjected to a heavy fire from the enemy's secondary 
armament. <I>Nomad</I> was badly hit and apparently remained stopped between the 
lines. (She was sunk later by the German Battle Fleet.) Subsequently 
<I>Nestor</I> and <I>Nicator</I> altered course to the S.E., and in a short time 
the opposing battle cruisers having turned 16 points, found themselves within 
close range of a number of enemy battleships. Nothing daunted, though under a 
terrific fire, they stood on, and their position being favorable for torpedo 
attack, fired a torpedo at the second ship of the enemy line at a range of 3,000 
yards. Before they could fire their fourth torpedo, <I>Nestor</I> was badly hit 
and swung to starboard, <I>Nicator</I> altering course inside her to avoid 
collision and thereby being prevented from firing the last torpedo. 
<I>Nicator</I> made good her escape and subsequently rejoined the 13th Flotilla. 
<I>Nestor</I> remained stopped, but was afloat when last seen. (She was sunk 
later by the German Battle Fleet.) <I>Moorsom</I> also carried out an attack on 
the enemy's Battle Fleet. <br><br>

<I>Petard</I>, <I>Nerissa</I>, <I>Turbulent</I> and <I>Termagant</I> also 
pressed home their attack on the enemy battle cruisers, firing torpedoes at 
7,000 yards after the engagement with enemy destroyers <I>Petard</I> reports 
that all her torpedoes must have crossed the enemy's line, while <I>Nerissa</I> 
states that one torpedo appeared to strike the rear ship. These destroyer 
attacks were indicative of the spirit pervading His Majesty's Navy, and were 
worthy of its highest traditions. <br><br>

From 4.15 to 4.43 p.m. the conflict between the opposing battle cruisers was 
a very fierce and resolute character. The 5th Battle Squadron was engaging the 
enemy's rear ships, unfortunately at very long range. Our fire began to tell, 
the accuracy and rapidity of that of the enemy depreciating considerably. At 
4.18 p.m. the third enemy ship was seen to be on fire. The visibility to the 
north-eastward had become considerably reduced and the outline of the ships very 
indistinct. <br><br>

At 4.26 p.m. there was a violent explosion in <I>Queen Mary</I> ; she was 
enveloped in clouds of gray smoke and disappeared. Eighteen of her officers and 
men were subsequently picked up by <I>Laurel</I>. <br><br>

At 4.38 p.m. <I>Southampton</I> reported the enemy's Battle Fleet ahead. The 
destroyers were recalled, and at 4.42 p.m. the enemy's Battle Fleet was sighted 
S.E. Course was altered 16 points in succession to starboard. and I proceeded on 
a northerly course to l ead them towards the Grand Fleet. The enemy battle 
cruisers altered course shortly afterwards, and the action continued. 
<I>Southampton</I> with the 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron held on to the southward 
to observe. They closed to within 13,000 yards of the enemy battle fleet and 
came under a very heavy but ineffective fire. <I>Southampton's</I> reports were 
most valuable.<br><br>

The 5th Battle Squadron were now closing on an opposite course and engaging 
the enemy battle cruisers with all guns. The position of the enemy Battle Fleet 
was communicated to them, and I ordered them to alter course 16 points. Led by 
Rear Admiral Hugh Evan-Thomas, M.V.O., in <I>Barham</I>, this squadron supported 
us brilliantly and effectively. <br><br>

At 4.57 p.m. the 5th Battle Squadron turned up astern of me and came under 
the fire of the leading ships of the enemy Battle Fleet. <I>Fearless</I>, with 
the destroyers of 1st Flotilla, joined the battle cruisers, and, when speed 
admitted, took station ahead. <I>Champion</I>, with 13th Flotilla, took station 
on the 5th Battle Squadron. At 5 p.m. the 1st and 3rd Light Cruiser Squadron, 
which had been following me on the southerly course, took station on my 
starboard bow; the 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron took station on my port quarter. <br><br>

The weather conditions now became unfavorable, our ships being silhouetted 
against a clear horizon to the westward, while the enemy were for the most part 
obscured by mist, only showing up clearly at intervals. These conditions 
prevailed until we had turned their van at about 6 p.m. 
<br><br>Between 5 and 6 p.m. the action continued on a northerly course, the range 
being about 14,000 yards. During this time the enemy received very severe 
punishment, and undoubtedly one of their battle cruisers quitted the line in a 
considerably damaged condition. This came under my personal observation and was 
corroborated by <I>Princess Royal</I> and <I>Tiger</I>. Other enemy ships also 
showed signs of increasing injury. <br><br>

At 5.05 p.m. <I>Onslow</I> and <I>Moresby</I> who had been detached to assist 
<I>Engadine</I> with the seaplane, rejoined the battle cruiser squadrons and 
took station on the starboard (engaged) bow of <I>Lion</I>. At 5.10 p.m. 
<I>Moresby</I>, being 2 points before the beam of the leading enemy ship. fired 
a torpedo at the 3rd in their line. Eight minutes later she observed a hit with 
a torpedo on what was judged to be the 6th ship in the line. <I>Moresby</I> then 
passed between the lines to clear the range of smoke, and rejoined 
<I>Champion</I>. In corroboration of this, <I>Fearless</I> reports having seen 
an enemy heavy ship heavily on fire at about 5.10 p.m., and shortly afterwards a 
huge cloud of smoke and steam similar to that which accompanied the blowing up 
of <I>Queen Mary</I> and <I>Indefatigable</I>. <br><br>

At 5.35 p.m. our course was N.N.E. and the estimated position of the Grand 
Fleet was N. 16 W., 80 we gradually hauled to the northeastward keeping the 
range of the enemy at 14,000 yards. He was gradually hauling to the westward, 
receiving severe punishment at the head of his line, and probably acting on 
information received from his light cruisers which had sighted and were engaged 
with the Third Battle Cruiser Squadron. Possibly Zeppelins were present also. At 
5.50 p.m. British cruisers were sighted on the port bow, and at 5.56 p.m. the 
leading battleships of the Grand Fleet bearing north 5 miles. I thereupon 
altered course to east and proceeded at utmost speed. This brought the range of 
the enemy down to 12,000 yards. I made a report to the Commander-in-Chief that 
the enemy battle cruiser bore southeast. At this time only three of the enemy 
battle cruisers were visible, closely followed by battle ships of the 
<I>Konig</I> class. <br><br>

At 6.25 p.m. I altered course to the E.S.E. in support of the Light Battle 
Cruiser Squadron, who were at this time only 8,000 yards from the enemy's 
leading ship. They were pouring a hot fire into her, and caused her to turn to 
the westward of south. At the same time, I made a visual report to the 
Commander-in-Chief of the bearing and distance of the enemy Battle Fleet. At 
6.33 p.m. <I>Invincible</I> blew up. <br><br>

After the loss of the <I>Invincible</I>, the squadron was led by 
<I>Inflexible</I> until 6.50 p.m. By this time the battle cruisers were clear of 
our leading battle squadron, then bearing about N.N.W. 3 miles, and I ordered 
the Third Battle Cruiser Squadron to prolong the line astern and reduced to 18 
knots. The visibility at this time was very indifferent, not more than 4 miles, 
and the enemy ships were temporarily lost sight of. <br><br>

From the report of Rear-Admiral T. D. W. Napier, M.V.O., the Third Light 
Cruiser Squadron, which had maintained its station on our starboard bow well 
ahead of the enemy, at 6.25 p.m. attacked with the torpedo. <I>Falmouth</I> and 
<I>Yarmouth</I> both fired torpedoes at the leading enemy battle cruiser, and it 
is believed that one torpedo hit, as a heavy under-water explosion was observed. 
The Third Light Cruiser Squadron then gallantly attacked the heavy ships with 
gunfire, with impunity to themselves, thereby demonstrating that the fighting 
efficiency of the enemy had been seriously impaired. Rear Admiral Napier 
deserves great credit for his determined and effective attack. 
<I>Indomitable</I> reports that about this time one of the <I>Derfflinger</I> 
class fell out of the enemy's line. <br><br>

Meanwhile, at 6 p.m. <I>Canterbury</I> had engaged enemy light cruisers which 
were firing heavily on the torpedo-boat destroyers <I>Shark</I>, <I>Acasta</I> 
and <I>Christopher</I> ; as a result of this engagement the <I>Shark</I> was 
sunk. <br><br>

At 6.16 p.m. <I>Defense</I> and <I>Warrior</I> were observed passing down 
between the British and German Battle Fleets under a very heavy fire. 
<I>Defense</I> was seen to blow up and <I>Warrior</I> passed to the rear 
disabled. It is probable that Sir Robert Arbuthnot, during his engagement with 
the enemy's light cruisers and in his desire to complete their destruction, was 
not aware of the approach of the enemy's heavy ships, owing to the mist, until 
he found himself in close proximity to the main fleet, and before he could 
withdraw his ships they were caught under a heavy fire and disabled. It is not 
known when <I>Black Prince</I>, of the same squadron, was sunk, but as a 
wireless signal was received from her between 8 and 9 p.m. reporting the 
position of a submarine, it is possible that her loss was the result of a 
torpedo attack. There is much strong evidence of the presence of a large number 
of enemy submarines in the vicinity of the scene of the action. <br><br>

At about 6.05 p.m. <I>Onslow</I>, being on the engaged bow of <I>Lion</I>, 
sighted an enemy light cruiser at a distance of 6,000 yards from us, apparently 
endeavoring to attack with torpedoes. <I>Onslow</I> at once closed and engaged 
her, firing 58 rounds at a range of from 4,000 to 2,000 yards, scoring a number 
of hits. <I>Onslow</I> then closed the enemy battle cruisers, and orders were 
given for all torpedoes to be fired. At this moment she was struck amidships by 
a heavy shell, with the result that only one torpedo was fired. Thinking that 
all his torpedoes had gone, the commanding officer proceeded to retire at slow 
speed. Being informed that he still had three torpedoes, he closed the light 
cruiser previously engaged and torpedoed her. The enemy's Battle Fleet was then 
sighted, and the remaining torpedoes were fired at them; having started 
correctly, they must have crossed the enemy's attack. Damage then caused 
<I>Onslow</I> to stop.<br><br>

At 7.15 p.m. <I>Defender</I>, whose speed had been reduced to 10 knots, while 
on the disengaged side of the battle cruisers, was struck by a shell which 
damaged her foremost boiler, but closed <I>Onslow</I> and took her in tow. 
Shells were falling all round them during this operation, which, however, was 
successfully accomplished. During the heavy weather of the ensuing night the tow 
parted twice, but was resecured. The two struggled on together until 1p.m. 1st 
June, when <I>Onslow</I> was transferred to tugs. I consider the performances of 
these two destroyers to be gallant in the extreme, and I am recommending 
Lieutenant-Commander J. C. Tovey of <I>Onslow</I>, and Lieutenant Commander 
Palmer of <I>Defender</I>, for special recognition.... <br><br>

Here I should like to bring to your notice the action of a destroyer (name 
unknown) which we passed close in a disabled condition soon after 6 p.m. She 
apparently was able to struggle ahead again; and made straight for the 
<I>Derfflinger</I> to attack her. The incident appeared so courageous that it 
seems desirable to investigate it further. <br><br>

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 <I>Konig</I> 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 gray 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. <br><br>

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 <I>Lion</I> and turned away 8 points, 
emitting very high flames and with a heavy list to port. <I>Princess Royal</I> 
set fire to a three-funneled battleship; <I>New Zealand</I> and 
<I>Indomitable</I> 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 <I>Falmouth</I> reported they were last seen at 8.38 p.m. 
steaming to the westward, an explosion on board a ship of the <I>Kaiser</I> 
class being seen at 8.40 p.m. 
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