H.M.S. Invincible at the Battle of Jutland

Captain	Arthur Lindesay Cay
Commander	(G) Hubert Edward Dannreuther

Report of Senior Surviving Officer, H.M.S. Invincible

H.M.S. "Crescent,"

2nd June 1916,

SIR,

I DEEPLY regret to report that H.M.S. "Invincible," commanded by Captain A. L. Cay, R.N., and flying the flag of Rear-Admiral the Hon. Horace L. Hood, Rear-Admiral Commanding the Third Battle Cruiser Squadron, was blown up and completely destroyed when in action with the enemy at 6.34 p.m. on Wednesday the 31st May.

The total number of officers and men on board at the time was 1,031. Of these only six survived. The names of the survivors are as follows :—

Commander H. E. Dannreuther, R.N.

Lieutenant C. S. Sanford [sic], R.N.

Chief P.O. (P.T.I.) Thompson.

Yeo. Signals Pratt (Walter Maclean), 2169G3.

Able Seaman Dandridge (Ernest George), 239478.

Gunner Gasson, R.M.A.

Of the above, all are free from injury with the exception of Gunner Gasson, who was severely burnt about the head and arms. They are now accommodated in this ship except Gunner Gasson, who is in the Hospital Ship "Plassy."

The circumstances of the destruction of the ship are briefly as follows :—

The "Invincible" was leading the 3rd B.C.S. and at about 5.45 p.m. first came into action with an enemy light cruiser on the port bow. Several torpedoes were seen coming towards the ship, but were avoided by turning away from them.

"Invincible's" fire was effective on the fight cruiser engaged, and a heavy explosion was observed. A dense cloud of smoke and steam from this explosion appeared to be in the same position some minutes later.

"Invincible" then turned and came into action at about 6.15 p.m. with the leading enemy battle cruiser, which was thought to be the "Derfflinger." Fire was opened at the enemy at about 8,000 yards, and several hits were observed.

A few moments before the "Invincible" blew up Admiral Hood hailed the Control Officer in the Control Top from the fore bridge : "Your firing is very good, keep at it as quickly as you can, every shot is telling." This was the last order heard from the Admiral or Captain who were both on the bridge at the end.

The Ship had been hit several times by heavy shell, but no appreciable damage had been done when at 6.34 p.m. a heavy shell struck "Q" turret and, bursting inside, blew the roof off. This was observed from the control top. Almost immediately following there was a tremendous explosion amidships indicating that "Q" magazine had blown up. The ship broke in half and sank in 10 or 15 seconds.

The survivors on coming to the surface saw the bow and stern of the ship only, both of which were vertical and about 50 feet clear of the water.

The survivors were stationed as follows prior to the sinking of the ship :—

Commander Dannreuther (Gun Control Officer) C.P.O. Thompson A.B. Dandridge	Fore Control Top.
Yeo. Signals Pratt	Director Tower platform.
Lieutenant (T) Sandford	Fore Conning Tower, hatch of which was open.
Gunner Gasson	" Q " turret, at the range- finder.

There was very little wreckage, the six survivors were supported by a target raft and floating timber till picked up by H.M.S. "Badger" shortly after 7 p.m.

Only one man besides those rescued was seen to come to the surface after the explosion, and he sank before he could reach the target raft.

The "Badger" was brought alongside the raft in a most expeditious and seamanlike manner, and the survivors were treated with the utmost kindness and consideration by the officers and men.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

H. E. DANNREUTHER.

Commander.

Captain Francis W. Kennedy, R.N.,

H.M.S. "Indomitable."

References

• Admiralty (1920). Battle of Jutland 30th May to 1st June 1916: Official Despatches with Appendices. Cmd. 1068. London: His Majesty's Stationary Office.
• Campbell, N.J.M. (2000). Jutland: An Analysis of the Fighting. New York: The Lyons Press. ISBN 1-55821-759-2. (on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk).