Reports from Second Battle Squadron
VICE-ADMIRAL'S REPORT, 2nd BATTLE SQUADRON
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Enclosure No. 5 to Submission No. 1415/0022 of 20/6/16 from C.-in-C. Home Fleets.
No. 149/47 D.
KING GEORGE V,
5th June 1916.
Sir,
I HAVE the honour to forward herewith a summary of the events occurring during the recent action, compiled from reports made by ships of the Second Battle Squadron, accompanied by plans sent in by KING GEORGE V[1], ERIN[2], ORION[3] MONARCH[4], and THUNDERER,[5] and a diary of events before, during, and after the action, kept on board KING GEORGE V
2. I am unable to supply much detail from personal observation, as it was impossible to gather any general idea of the action, only momentary glimpses of the enemy being obtained.
As leading ship, in addition to the hazy atmosphere, I was much hampered by what I imagine to have been cordite fumes from the battle-cruisers after they passed us, and from other cruisers engaged on the bow ; also by funnel gases from small craft ahead, and, for a considerable time, by dense smoke from DUKE OF EDINBURGH, who was unable to draw clear.
3. There is some evidence that submarines were close; DUKE OF EDINBURGH three times made the signal of their presence, and my Flag Lieutenant-Commander is certain that he saw the two periscopes of one vessel.
On the other hand, it was obvious to me that a good deal of DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S fire was directed not at a submarine but at the wake of vessels ahead.
The right gunlayer and trainer of "Y" turret in KING GEORGE V state that they saw a torpedo break surface 400 yards short of KING GEORGE V.
4. I should like to mention specially that about 9 p.m. I negatived an attack with Whitehead torpedoes ordered by CAROLINE, as I was certain that the vessels seen on our starboard beam were our own battle-cruisers. The Navigating Officer of my Flagship, who has just come from the battle-cruiser fleet, was also certain that they were ours, and saw them sufficiently clearly to give their approximate course, which I reported to you.
Shortly afterwards, I told CAROLINE to attack if he was quite certain they were enemy ships, as he was in a better position
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to see them than I was, but I do not know whether an attack was made.
If they were enemy ships and no attack was made, the fault is mine, and not that of CAROLINE.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
Vice-Admiral,
Commanding Second Battle Squadron.
The Commander-in-Chief,
H.M. Ships and Vessels,
Grand Fleet.
ACTION OF 31ST MAY, 1916.
Summary of Reports from Second Battle Squadron.
| Time. | Ship Reporting. | Observations. | Remarks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.40 p.m. | KING GEORGE V | Observed battle cruisers in action, probably about 30° green. |
- |
| 6.15 p.m. | ORION | Trained on an enemy cruiser, apparently of Kolberg class already on fire aft and stopped, steam escaping from |
- |
| 6. 15 p.m. | MONARCH | Enemy hidden from us by our battle cruisers. Two four - funnelled British cruisers retiring towards rear end of our battle fleet. One disappeared in a cloud of steam. One surrounded by splashes but appeared to emerge undamaged. |
- |
| 6.17 p.m. | THUNDERER | 1st Cruiser Squadron under heavy fire, being straddled frequently. They were seen to damage a German cruiser severely, setting her on fire aft. This was thought to be either "Prinz Adalbert" or "Friedrich Karl |
As these vessels are believed to have been sunk some time ago, probably it was Kolberg class. |
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| Time. | Ship Reporting. | Observations. | Remarks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.20 p.m. | ORION | Observed one of our battle cruisers heavily engaged before starboard beam. Ri- cochets falling near us. |
- |
| 6.25 p.m. | THUNDERER | IRON DUKE opened fire on damaged cruiser. THUN- DERER also opened fire, followed by CONQUEROR |
This was proba- bly same ship of KOLBERG class referred to previously by THUNDERER and ORION |
| 6.25p.m. | THUNDERER | Four enemy ships— KAISER class and battle cruisers - hove in sight. Guns were laid on one of these, but we were masked by CON- QUEROR before we could fire. Ranges of 22,000 were obtained in the fore top. |
- |
| 6.30 p.m. (approx.) |
ERIN | 2nd Battle Squadron's view of enemy obscured by smoke of DUKE OF EDIN- BURGH. Enemy's battle fleet must then have turned 16 points, our battle cruiser fleet about this time passing between us and them and being joined by the 3rd Battle Cruiser Squadron. |
- |
| 6.30 p.m. | MONARCH | Opened fire on enemy light cruiser of KOLBERG class stopped. Range, 10,400. Fired three salvoes; first missed right, second missed right, third appeared to straddle. |
Probably same ship previously referred to by ORION and THUNDERER. |
| 6.31 p.m. | CONQUEROR | Opened fire on " Markgraf "class; rough range, 12,000 yards. This ship quickly disappeared in the haze, and fire was shifted to a three-funneled cruiser (pro- bably the late " Maravev Amurski," vide Sheet " D," 959—-WarVessels); rough range, 10,000 yards. |
It seems probable that this also refers to " Kol- berg " class ves- sel under fire from several ships. |
| 6.32 p.m. | KING GEORGE V | Ship bearing S.E.blew up; it is not know what this vessel was, but it was thought to be an enemy light cruiser. Also passed shortly after this " Acasta " badly dam- aged placing collision mat, and another British de- |
One was observed there shortly be- fore heavily on fire, probably " Stettin " class. |
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| Time. | Ship Reporting. | Observations. | Remarks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| stroyer apparently with disabled engines. |
|||
| 6.32 p.m. | ORION | Example | R.A. ORION personally ob- served the hits. |
| Example | Example | Example | Example |
| Example | Example | Example | Example |
| Example | Example | Example | Example |
| Example | Example | Example | Example |
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GENERAL REMARKS.
Ajax - It appeared that each enemy ship was accompanied by a destroyer which emitted dense volumes of smoke with the idea of obscuring the target.
Centurion - Submarines were reported on several occasions, and Lieutenant Peet has no doubt that he sighted a submarine with double periscope at 7.40 p.m., bearing 60° green, 2,000 yards.
Orion - Firing was by chrector, which was invaluable.
Thunderer - Just before opening fire there was a very large explosion on starboard quarter, apparently bej^ond Fifth Battle Squadron ; a column of water and debris was thrown up'. No enemy shots fell nearer than 400 yards (short). Objects came into view and disappeared again in about 3 minutes, a quick R.F. reading, used immediately, was the only practicable method. Most of the ranges taken were about 11,000 yards, but for a short period ranges 22,000 to 18,000 were obtained in the fore top. Powder filled common excellent to commence with, i.e., till straddhng is well estabHshed, the bursts being easy to distinguish.
NOTES MADE ON BOARD KING GEORGE V.
Battle-fleet was in divisions in line ahead columns disposed abeam to starboard, 8 cables apart, steering S. 50 E.
31st May, p.m.
(1) 2.24. Signal received form GALATEA 2 cruisers probably hostile, in sight (56 — 48 N., 5—26 E.), bearing E.S.E. stopped, later report course of enemy S.S.E. chased at 2.38p.m. (1420 and 1422.)
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31st May, p.m.
(2) 2.40. GALATEA reported a large quantity of smoke bearing E.N.E. (56.50 N., 5.27 E.). Speed of fleet, 17 knots. (1435.)
- 2.45. Guides of columns ordered to bear N.E. by N.
- 18 knots.
(3) 3.00 Altered course, leaders together, to S.E. by S.
GALATEA reported smoke appeared to be from 7 vessels—Destroyers and cruisers steering North 56.52 N., 5.38 E. (1450.)
(4) 3.07. S.O. 3rd L.C.S. reported 3 cruisers bearing E.steeringN.56,-59N.,5.33E. (1500.)
- 3.08. Cruisers took up cruising disposition No. 1.
- 3.13. S.O. 1st L.C.S. reported enemy altered course to N.W. Columns opened to 1°. (1507.)
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