Report from First Light Cruiser Squadron

Page 172
Enclosure No. 10 to Battle Cruiser Fleet Letter No. B.C.F. 01 of 12/6/16. No. 30. GALATEA, 2nd June 1916. Sir, I HAVE the honour to report for your information the part taken by the First Light Cruiser Squadron in the recent action and afterwards. 2. At 6.7 p.m. on 31st May, owing to damage to the port after forced draught fan, GALATEA's speed was reduced to 18 knots for a time, but after temporary repairs had been made a speed of 24 knots was attained. INCONSTANT was placed in charge of PHAETON and CORDELIA until GALATEA was able to rejoin next morning. Report from Captain of INCONSTANT covering that period is enclosed.

3. At 2.18 p.m. on 31st May in latitude 56° 52' N., longitude 5° 21' E., GALATEA and PHAETON being in the Port Wing position of the Light Cruiser Screen, course and speed of Battle Cruiser Fleet being S.E., 20 knots, attention was drawn by a steamer, bearing S. 72 E. about 12 miles, blowing off steam and the masts and two funnels of a war vessel were made out in her vicinity. This was reported by GALATEA, who in company with PHAETON, closed at high speed. It was then found that two German Destroyers had stopped the steamer and that a squadron of Cruisers and Torpedo-boat Destroyers were a little to the North-eastward apparently steaming in various directions which made it difficult to send an adequate report.

4. At 2.28 p.m. GALATEA and PHAETON opened fire on the two destroyers who proceeded to the Northward at speed

5. At 2.32 p.m. a three-funnelled cruiser opened fire at 15,000 yards, salvoes falling both sides of GALATEA and PHAETON, but only one 5.9-in. shell hit GALATEA; this did not burst.

On the approach of the other enemy cruisers the First Light Cruiser Squadron — INCONSTANT and CORDELIA were closing — proceeded to the North-west in extended order keeping just out of gun range, the Vice-Admiral Commanding Battle Cruiser Fleet, who was to the West-south-westward about 15 miles, having signalled that he was steering east, and it was hoped by drawing the enemy North-west the Battle Cruisers would be able to get in behind them, but shortly afterwards the Battle Cruisers were seen in action with the enemy's heavy ships.

6. At 3.35 p.m. the enemy's Light Cruisers turned to the South-eastward and the 1st and 3rd Light Cruiser Squadrons, the latter having come up, followed on a parallel course.