Report from Iron Duke

CAPTAIN'S REPORT — H.M.S.IRON DUKE
Enclosure No. 1 to Submission No. 1415/0022 of 20/6/16 from C.-in-C. Home Fleets.

No. l53

H.M.S. " Iron Duke," 3rd June 1916.

Sir, I have the honour to submit the attached brief report of the part taken by your Flagship. H.M.S. " Iron Duke " during the Action with the German High Sea Fleet off the Coast of Jutland on the 31st May 1916.

2. As no casualties occurred on board " Iron Duke," which was not hit by the Enemy's fire, no strain was thrown on the Ship's personnel or organization and, consequently, I am not specially mentioning the services of particular Officers and Men. The bearing of all was in every way admirable.^ I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your obedient Servant, FRED. C. DREYER, Captain

The Commander-in-Chief, H.M. Ships and Vessels, Home Fleets.

BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE ACTION OFF JUTLAND OF 31sT MAY 1916
The attached Notes on the Action by the following Officers are forwarded as they are of interest, not only in describing events, but also any difficulties they had to cope with.

All times given are G.M.T. All Courses Magnetic. I was in the Conning Tower with Captain Oliver E. Leggett, Master of the Fleet, and Lieutenant Commander (T) Edward W.MacKichan, R.N., Page 53 throughout the Action, and had a very good view of the whole situation. The Communications worked very well. The Navyphones were noticeably better than Voicepipes, the former requiring no shouting, but it is fully realised that Voicepipes possess the great advantage of reliability—in fact, they have to be blown away before being out of action. The Light was bad, the weather being misty, the visibility varying during the actual firing from 10,000 to about 16,000 yards.

Total ammunition fired — 13-5-in. — 90 rounds. 6-in. — 50 rounds. H.M.S. " Oak " reports that " at about 7.35 p.m. the track of a Torpedo was observed to cross the track of our ships, about 200 yards ahead of Iron Duke, Torpedo was travelling slowly. Track finished about 2,000 yards on the Port side of the Line, and the Torpedo sank. Direction of the track was S.E." Another Torpedo was also reported by Benbow which was 4th ship astern of Iron Duke, at 8.31 p.m. It is believed that the Torpedo passed ahead of Iron Duke, but this was not seen by Iron Duke, although two signalmen were specially stationed under a Signal Officer aloft, to look out for Torpedoes. It is quite possible that this is due to the difficult light conditions rendering the track invisible from Iron Duke. During the night, in view of the proximity of Heavy Enemy's Ships, the Hands remained at Action Stations, the Gun's Crews at their Guns, but being allowed to sleep in turn. The Corned Beef and Biscuits provided at the Quarters were served out. Cocoa was provided from 9.30 p.m. onwards, and Breakfast brought to the Quarters at 7.30 a.m.

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The Turrets were fired throughout by Director, which system possesses enormous advantages over any other in Action. The close study which has been made of the Silhouettes of German ships enabled those sighted to be recognised, except a Battle Cruiser with very large square Funnels, which might have been the Lutzow. The Rangefinders obtained very good results, notwithstanding the bad light, and were of the greatest assistance in keeping the range. The Rangetakers reported that the Enemy's Pole Masts were easier to Range on than those of our own ships. No Torpedoes were fired as the large number of our own ships which from time to time crossed the space between the Battle Fleets rendered it inadvisable to fire the slow E.R. Torpedoes, and the Enemy were out of Range for the 30 knot Setting. The Engine Room Department experienced no difficulties during the action.

FRED. C. DREYER, Captain.