Marsden, Arthur

Letter about the battle from Lt Commander Arthur Marsden, one of only two survivors of his ship, to his friend Commander James Pipon of HMS Penelope

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P.S. There were only two survivors besides myself both seaman GOMSHALL, S.E.R. CRANLEIGH L.B.S.C.R. HOLMBURY S.MARY, 14 EWHURST. HURTWOOD, HOLMBURH S.MARY, SURREY. Aug 6. My dear James Thanks so much for your letter, which I fear I am a xxxx long time in answering. I start at the beginning, we were in the thick of the show May 31 in all as regards the Battle Fleet. In fact I was just ahead of the Iron Duke until they deployed into line. I then had to go full speed for almost and hour to take up my station on xxxx bow xxxx

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were made. There were about 8 boats in our line xxxx & I think in other lines of 2 xxxx (8) each one mile or so on either beam. Several Germans loomed up during the night. There was no mistaking them as they always challenged. There was so much firing but our leader always took us full speed our of it. So I never had a good chance of a torpedo. About midnight xxxx xxxx xxxx (Fortune) astern of me - was lit up by searchlights of 2 ships on a parallel course & he was badly hit. The this time the B.C. passed about 1/2 mile xxxx while engaging the enemy so we were in the middle of the "xxxx" - "Acasta" was the only one badly hit & fell out. We kept our Billet all day - actually doing nothing in particular. Saw the "Invincible" go up. Her bow & stern floating ends up for hours after. Saw "Defence" go up & "Warrior" on fire. We suffered more from the enormous amount of smoke than the misty horizon - At dark we took station astern of B.F. course S. 17 knots. I am not sure of our formation. No signals

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right ahead. I attacked at once but as soon as the torp was xxxx & xxxx a very xxxx xxxx about 1000yds on beam. The 2 leading ships both got their beams on me & opened fire for about 5 minutes. I dont think a shot of theirs missed. Their first salvo (I think they were 6" - certainly 4.1" at the least) put engines out of action. I was hit big piece of shell in the thigh but no one xxxx on the Bridge. They then ceased fire & I walked (with difficulty) down & xxxx xxxx chest confidential xxxx

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and I thought was sinking so xxxx into the water & luckily a life buoy fell almost alongside me. Her stern kept up a few minutes then sank. This about 10 minutes from the moment the first shot hit. There were about 1/2 the crew in the water & all seemed well & xxxx xxxx. I was nearly done xxxx men xxxx on to me but when daylight came (xxxxlight) I felt fairly xxxx & comfortable but nearly all the men had succumbed & were floating xxxx Head & shoulders above the water most

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 * 1) HMS Ardent Crew List (Photographs)
 * 2) HMS Ardent Crew List (updated in Real-time)