Commodore (T)'s Diary of Events
HARWICH FORCE
DIARY OF EVENTS FOR PERIOD TUESDAY, 30th MAY, TO SATURDAY, 3rd JUNE, 1916
Page 341
(Forwarded by Commodore Tyrwhitt on 19 July 1916.)
Tuesday, 30th May
Lucifer sailed at 8.0 a.m. (G.M.T.) for the Humber to refit.
Manly returned to Harwich on completion of refit at the Humber.
Admiralty directed that destroyers detached at Dover should return to Harwich. Loyal, Lennox, Lassoo, Lark, Miranda, Mastiff and Matchless arrived from Dover about 5.0 p.m. (G.M.T.). (Meteor was detained there by defects).
At 6.20 p.m. Admiralty directed that Harwich Force should be ready to sail at daylight if required. Informed Admiralty that the probable strength of the Squadron would be 5 Light Cruisers, 2 flotilla leaders, and 21 destroyers, including eight detailed for the 3rd Battle Squadron.
Wednesday, 31st May
Hornet, Ferret, Druid, Sandfly, Beaver, Hind, Lennox and Mastiff left Harwich at 2.0 a.m. to join the Vice-Admiral, 3rd Battle Squadron in the Swin. Remainder of Harwich force was kept at one hour's notice. Lennox returned with defects and was replaced by Matchless, who sailed at 4.20 a.m. Lookout and Lafore returned to Harwich from Chatham on completion of defects. Meteor arrived at Harwich from Dover at 5.0 p.m. Intercepted W/T signals during the afternoon showed that an action was being fought between the British and German Fleets. At 4.45 p.m. requested instructions from the Admiralty, and at 5.12 p.m. the Harwich Force proceeded to sea so as to be ready to carry out any orders received. At 5.40 p.m. the Admiralty ordered the force to return to harbour and wait orders. Arrived at base at 6.30 p.m.
Thursday, 1st June
At 3.9 a.m. received directions from the Admiralty to proceed to join the C.-in-C. Grand Fleet. Following ships sailed at 3.50 a.m.:
Carysfort, Cleopatra, Conquest, Aurora,
Undaunted, Nimrod, Lightfoot,
Laforey, Lance, Loyal, Manly,
Lookout, Lassoo, Leonidas, Murray
Lawford, Lysander, Mentor, Milne,
Laverock, Lark, Miranda, Myngs,
Page 342
At 6.20 a.m. informed the C.-in-C, Grand Fleet, that the Harwich Force was proceeding to Lat. 55-30 N., Long. 6-0 E.
At 8.36 a.m. received orders from the C.-in-C. to send a division to escort Marlborough. Detached Laforey, Lookout, Lawford and Laverock for this purpose at 9.20 a.m.
At 1.53 p.m. sighted Marlborough, and despatched Lance, Lassoo, Lysander and Lark to escort her.
At 5.35 p.m. received directions from the C.-in-C, Grand Fleet, and at 7.2 p.m. from the Admiralty, to return to base.
Friday, 2nd June
The Squadron arrived at Harwich at 7.30 p.m.
Canterbury was in harbour on arrival, having taken part in the action of 31st May-1st June and proceeded direct to Harwich.
Laforey, Lookout, Lawford, Laverock, Lance, Lassoo, Lysander, Lark, arrived at Harwich at 11.0p.m. on completion of escort duty with Marlborough.
Saturday, 3rd June
Nothing to report.