Interned Officers' Reports (Nestor and Nomad)

REPORTS FROM INTERNED OFFICERS
Page 344 Interned Prisoner of War, Bella Vista, Scheveningen, Holland, 14th May 1918.

Sir, I beg to forward herewith the following reports with reference to the action of 31/5/16 off Jutland, under three headings :-

A.—Report of the proceedings of the 2nd Division of the 13th Flotilla under my command.

B.—Report of the proceedings of H.M.S. Nestor under my command and her subsequent loss with attached appendices.

C.—Commander P. Whitfield's report on loss of H.M.S. Nomad.

1. Recommendations for recognition of the Officers and men concerned. 2. Track chart of H.M.S. Nestor's operations. 3. A letter written by Petty Officer C. J. Lewis.

I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient Servant, E. B. S. BINGHAM, Commander Royal Navy, (late H.M.S. Nestor) To The Secretary to the Admiralty, Whitehall, London.

Composition of the Division
The 2nd Division consisted of the following T.B.D.s:- Nestor (Commander Honble. E. B. S. Bingham, R.N.) Nomad (Lieut.-Commander Paul Whitfield, R.N.) Nicator (Lieutenant J. Mocatta) H.M.S. Onslow was previously detached on special service with H.M.S. Engadine and, therefore, does not enter into my report.

2nd Division ordered to attack
Shortly after 4.0 p.m. the signal was made by Captain D, H.M.S. Champion, to the 2nd Division under my command to attack enemy's Battle Cruisers with torpedoes.

Proceeding to the attack
I therefore hoisted the signal " Proceed at Full Speed " and shaped a course two points to Port of our own Battle Cruisers course in order to reach an advantageous position on the starboard bow of the enemy Battle Cruiser line from whence my attack would be subsequently launched ; at the same time I observed the enemy's T.B.D.s carrying out a similar manoeuvre.Strategical position and objectives.

Strategical position and objectives
This position A {see plan) was reached after half an hour's steaming, and appeared to me to be a suitable point to turp and carry out the following objectives :

1. Frustrate the intended attack by the enemy's T.B.D.s on our own Battle Cruisers by engaging them with gunfire. 2. Press home our own torpedo attack on enemy's Battle Cruisers.

With this in mind I turned my division approximately 14 points in succession, the remainder of the British Flotilla conformed with this movement in their respective turn.

Destroyer action
Fire was then opened at extreme range 10,000 on enemy's T.B.D.s (15 in number) and we rapidly closed them. After proceeding somewhat over five minutes on this North-Westerly course, the " Nomad " hauled out of line and stopped (position B), having received damage to her machinery. The " Nicator " then took station a cable astern of " Nestor " and a vigorous action ensued at close range between the two opposing lines of destroyers. Before long two enemy's T.B.D.s were observed to sink, and a 3rd to be heavilj?^ damaged steaming at very slow speed; the remainder retired on their B.C. Une, dividing themselves into two portions.

Observations during action
During this action, which came to very close quarters, I was able to observe good results from the " Nestor's " salvo fire, which, with that of the " Nicator," was, undoubtedly, responsible for the sinking of their leading destroyer.

Nestor fires two torpedoes at enemy's B.C. line
At position C, " Nestor " fired two torpedoes from the starboard beam, both appearing to run well, as a result of which the enemy's B.C.s were observed to alter course four points to port in succession.

Enemy's T.B.D.s retire.—" Nestor " and " Nicator " press home torpedo attack
As related, the enemy's destroyers then retired, some of which made back for the head of their B.C. line hotly pursued by " Nestor " and " Nicator," the remainder shaped course towards the rear of their B.C. Hne chased by the remaining two divisions of British destroyers. It will be seen in plan that " Nestor " and " Nicator " now driving a portion of the enemy's T.B.D.s before them on an E.N.E course, were at the same time rapidly closing the enemy's B.Cs. ; here we were subjected to the heaviest shell fire from the secondary armament of most of their B.C.s, but we pressed on fully determined to drive home our torpedo attack at the closest possible range ; when within 3 to 4,000 yards and on the beam of the leading B.C., the "Nestor" fired her third torpedo (position D).

" Nestor " and " Nicator " ivitMraiv, the former hit
Then, having accomphshed my two objectives, I turned back followed by "Nicator" to rejoin Captain " D," H.M.S. " Champion." Shortly after this turn, however, an enemy's light cruiser, beUeved to be their flotilla cruiser, issuing from the disengaged side of the German B.C. Hne, took us under heavy fire and shortly before 5 p.m. one of her shells hit No. 1 boiler; six minutes later No. 2 boiler was also hit. Between the positions E and F the " Nestor " was only able to steam at slow speed, and eventually came to a standstill at position F.

" Nestor " refuses assistance
Before reaching the final position F, H.M.S. " Petard." Lieut-Commander E. C. O. Thomson, closed to within hailing distance of me offering assistance and a tow ; this I was obliged to refuse, for I could not see my way to involving a 2nd destroyer in a danger which properly only appUed to one, for at the time we were still under fire and able to steam slowly. In the light of subsequent events I am convinced that my decision was justified.

Nicator rejoins Captain
Nicator, who had so gallantly supported me all through the attack, succeeded in making good her escape and, I understand, rejoined Captain " D."

REPORT "B."—THE LOSS OF H.M.S. NESTOR
Details of the proceedings of H.M.S. Nestor up to the time she was stopped in the final position " F," have already been given in report " A."

High Sea Fleet observed to the S.E
No sooner had the two B.C. fines disappeared to the N.W. hotly engaged than the German High Sea Fleet was observed approacliing from the S.E. following on the course of their B.C.s. It became obvious that they would pass within three or four miles of our position. At this time " Nomad " was lying stopped E.S.E., one and a half miles from " Nestor." The High Sea Fleet opened heavy fire on " Nomad " and she sank after a few minutes.

Preparation to abandon ship
From the time that we realised that our destruction was imminent, ail preparations were made with a view to saving as many fives as possible, and aU confidential matter was thrown overboard and seen to sink. The motor boat and whaler were lowered to the water's edge and the wounded were later placed in the motor boat. The Carley floats were hoisted out and placed alongside, the dinghy being damaged by shell fire was useless, the cables were got ready on the F'xle in the unlikely event of a tow being forth- coming ; this was done on the suggestion of Lieutenant M. J. Bethell with a view to keeping the minds of the men occupied.

Nestor shelled by High Sea Fleet
The High Sea Fleet then drew up and we were very soon straddled, not before, however, we had fired our fourth and remaining torpedo. The"Nestor"now occupied the undivided attention of the H.8. Fleet and was hit in many places, principally aft and rapidly commenced sinking by the stern. Immediately I saw that she was doomed I gave my last order " Abandon Ship."

Abandon ship, " Nestor " sinks
This was carried out in perfect order and discipline ; the boats and Carley boats worked their way clear of the ship, which all the time was being subjected to a tornado of fire, and a few minutes afterwards she reared up in a perpendicular position and sank by the stern. Three cheers were given for the " Nestor " and " God save the King " was sung. As Your Lordships are aware, the greater part of the Officers and men were saved, they being distributed in the motor boat and two Carley floats, but a few were obKged to remain in the water with their lifebelts on. The whaler, which had been damaged by shell fire, shoved off with a party including myself, but she sank after a few strokes and their occupants swam to the motor boat, where they supported themselves holding on to the gunwhale.

Enemy's T.B.D.s close, pick up, and make Prisoners of war of " Nestor's " crew
After a jjeriod of about twenty minutes a division of enemy's T.B.D.s were detached from the H.S. Fleet and, closing us rapidly, picked up all the survivors and hoisted our motor boat inboard. Thus we found ourselves prisoners of vv^ar on board S.M.T.B.D. "S 16"; the "Nestor's" Officers and men were jDromptly separated, the former being placed below in the Captain's cabin, the wounded in the Wardroom, and the men in the stokeholds and engine-room.