H.M.S. Iron Duke at the Battle of Jutland

Report of Proceedings

Enclosure № 1 to Submission № 1415/0022 of 20/6/16 from C-in-C. Home Fleets.

№ 153.

H.M.S. Iron Duke,

3rd June 1916.

SIR,

I HAVE the honour to submit the attached brief report of the part taken by your Flagship, H.M.S. Iron Duke during the Action with the German High Sea Fleet off the Coast of Jutland on the 31st May 1916.

2. As no casualties occurred on board Iron Duke, which was not hit by the Enemy's fire, no strain was thrown on the Ship's personnel or organization and consequently, I am not specially mentioning the services of particular Officers and Men.

The bearing of all was in every way admirable.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

FRED C. DREYER,

Captain.

Brief Account of the Action off Jutland of 31ST May 1916

The attached Notes on the Action by the following Officers are forwarded as they are of interest, not only in describing events, but also any difficulties they had to cope with.

Commander (G) Geoffrey Blake, R.N.	In Gun Control Tower. —Principal Control Officer.
Lieut.-Commander Thomas F. P. Calvert, R.N.	In "B" Turret.
Lieut. Richard Shelley, R.N.	In 13.5-in. Transmitting Station —In Charge.
Mr. Herbert D. Jehan, Gunner, R.N.	In 6-in. Control Top, aloft. —6-in. Control Officer.
Mr. Francis W. Potter, Gunner, R.N.	In 13-5 in. Director Tower Aloft —13.5-in. Director-Gunner.

All times given are G.M.T. All courses magnetic.

I was in the conning tower with Captain Oliver E. Leggett, Master of the Fleet, and Lieutenant Commander (T) Edward W. MacKichan, R.N., throughout the action, and had a very good view of the whole situation.

The Communications worked very well.

The Navyphones were noticeably better than Voicepipes, the former requiring no shouting, but it is fully realised that Voicepipes possess the great advantage of reliability–in fact, they have to be blown away before being out of action. The light was bad, the weather being misty, the visibility varying during the actual firing from 10,000 to about 16,000 yards.

At 4.0 p.m.—"Action" was sounded, the Hands having had Tea, and the decks having been cleared up.

All preparations for immediate action were then made.

At 6.0 p.m.—Course was S.E.—20 knots.

At 6.2 p.m.—Altered course by 9 Pendant to S.—18 knots.

At 6.5 p.m.—Altered course by 9 Pendant to S.E.

At 6.14 p.m.—Formed line of battle to port by equal speed Pendant. Co. S.E. by E. Iron Duke being "straddled" at this time by two enemy's heavy projectiles, with large "spread."

Our battle-cruisers, which had shortly before come in sight on a southerly bearing, firing to south-westward, rapidly cleared the battleline, disclosing a German 3-funnelled cruiser somewhat like the Kolberg Class, but with larger funnels; she was apparently stopped and on fire.

6.23 p.m.—Opened fire with the Turrets on the 3-funnelled cruiser. Bearing about 80 green. Range, 11,000. Fall of shot very easy to observe. The 3rd Salvo "straddled." After the 4th Salvo—ceased fire.

6.25 p.m.—Speed 15 knots.

6.30½ p.m.—Opened fire on a battleship of König class. Bearing 70 green. Range, 12,000. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Salvoes hitting her, with a total of at least 6 hits. Enemy steaming in the same direction as Iron Duke on a slightly converging course.

6.33 p.m.—Course S. 71° E. 17 knots. The bearing of the enemy was now S. 14° W. The bearing of the sun was N. 54° W. The enemy was lit up by the sun, whereas Iron Duke was probably invisible to them in the mist. However that may be, the König battleship did not return Iron Duke's fire, although heavily hit. 9 Salvoes, comprising total of 43 rounds, were fired at her in 4 minutes 50 seconds.

At 6.40 p.m.—Course 8. 56° E.

At 6.44 p.m.—Course 8. 46" E.

At 6.51 p.m.—Course S. 8° E.

At 7.05 p.m.—Course S.W. by S.

At 7.07 p.m.—Course S.

7.11 p.m.—6-in. Opened fire on enemy T.B.D.'s attacking the battle-fleet. Green, 63°. About 10,000 yards, and sank one enemy T.B.D., and fired on another.

7.13 p.m.—Opened fire with Turrets on enemy battleship, green, 74. Range, 15,400 yards. Enemy steaming nearly directly away. 4 Salvoes fired, no hits were observed.

7.18 p.m.—Ceased fire, as enemy was hidden by a very good smoke screen made by his destroyers.

7.20 p.m.—Trained Turrets on enemy battle-cruiser bearing 99 green, but before fire could be opened she also was hidden by a smoke screen made by attending enemy's T.B.D.'s.

At 7.23 p.m.—Course S. 19° E.

At 7.24 p.m.—6-in. Opened fire on enemy's T.B.D.'s attacking battle-fleet. Green, 115. Range, 10,000.

At 7.27 p.m.—Turrets opened fire. Green, 110. Range, 9,600 yards, on enemy's T.B.D.'s which were attacking the battle-fleet. 1 Salvo fired, which the director-gunner states blew up an enemy T.B.D.

At 7.31 p.m.—Ceased firing.

Total ammunition fired—13-5 in.—90 rounds ; 6 in.—50 rounds.

H.M.S. Oak reports that "at about 7.35 p.m. the track of a torpedo was observed to cross the track of our ships, about 200 yards ahead of Iron Duke. Torpedo was travelling slowly. Track finished about 2,000 yards on the port side of the line, and the torpedo sank. Direction of the track was S.E."

Another torpedo was also reported by Benbow, which was 4th ship astern of Iron Duke, at 8.31 p.m. "It is believed that the torpedo passed ahead of Iron Duke," but this was not seen by Iron Duke, although two signalmen were specially stationed under a signal officer aloft, to look out for torpedoes. It is quite possible that this is due to the difficult light conditions rendering the track invisible from Iron Duke.

During the night, in view of the proximity of heavy enemy's ships, the hands remained at action stations, the gun's crews at their guns, but being allowed to sleep in turn.

The Corned beef and biscuits provided at the Quarters were served out. Cocoa was provided from 9.30 p.m. onwards, and breakfast brought to the quarters at 7.30 a.m.

The Turrets were fired throughout by Director, which system possesses enormous advantages over any other in Action.

The close study which has been made of the Silhouettes of German ships enabled those sighted to be recognised, except a Battle Cruiser with very large square funnels, which might have been the Lützow.

The Rangefinders obtained very good results, notwithstanding the bad light, and were of the greatest assistance in keeping the range. The rangetakers reported that the Enemy's Pole Masts were easier to range on than those of our own ships.

No torpedoes were fired as the large number of our own ships which from time to time crossed the space between the battle-fleets rendered it inadvisable to fire the slow E.R. Torpedoes and the Enemy were out of Range for the 30 knot setting.

The engine room department experienced no difficulties during the action.

FRED C. DREYER,

Captain.

Notes Made by Lieutenant Richard Shelley, R.N., on Iron Duke's 13.5-in. Transmitting Station

G.M.T.

P.M.

5.55.	Heavy firing on the Starboard bow. Stand by to load. Director firing. B.C.F. heavily engaged on the Starboard bow bearing about 65 Green.
5.59.	Load.
6. 4.	Green 40.
6.23.	All left Guns to the Ready.
6.25.	Straddle.
6.25½.	Check fire.
6.29½.	70 Green Inclination 100 to the left.
6.30½.	Open fire. Spotting corrections, detailed record not kept, No correction; Straddle no correction; Enemy on fire; record not kept.
6.37.10.	No spotting correction.
6.37.40.	Check fire. 90 Green. For information Enemy was straddled and badly hit twice, a fire broke out under "A" and "B" Turrets. Enemy a/c/ 14 points and disappeared in the mist. Passed sunken ship on starboard side. Train 60 green follow the Director.
7. 6.	Target 28 green. "Q", "X" and "Y" train 40 Green and stand by to pick up target. Ship altering course to Port.
7.14.	Ready.
7.14.20.	Open fire.
7.17.30.	Fired Record not kept.
7.19.10.	Five guns Record not kept. No correction for range.
7.21.20.	Target shifted train 99 green. Range 14,000.
7.23.	Check Fire.
7.24.45.	6-in. opened fire.
7.26.	Destroyer train 136 green. Check bearing 110 green.
7.26.50.	Open fire 5 guns.
7.27.50.	Check fire (Director reports target has gone).
7.40.	All Turrets train 90 Green.
7.42.	Ammunition expended:– "A" 18 rds. Common "B" 17 rds. Common "Q" 18 rds. Common "X" 19 rds. Common "Y" 18 rds. Common No breakdowns.
8.10.	Turrets load cages with Lyddite A.P. Shell
8.20.30.	Battle Fleet is deploying into line of Battle again.
8.23.	Heavy firing ahead.
8.30.	Train 60 Green.
8.32.50.	70 Green.
8.41.	Enemy's Battle Fleet is somewhere on the Starboard beam, a light cruiser has just been engaging them.
9.9.	Heavy firing on starboard beam. All Turrets train 90 Green.
11.55.	Train 90 Red, follow the Director, stand fast "B" turret.

1st June, 1916.

A.M.

1.4.	Light on Port beam (From Director).
2.30.	Train 40 Green.
2.35.	Alter course to Starboard.
2.37.	Alter course to Port, to original course (166 Gyro).
2.45.	Lined up for training. Read off elevation receivers. Put range on range transmitter.
2.46.	Make certain that all rangefinders and periscopes are clean.
2.55.	Cages are to be kept loaded with Common. Train fore and aft.
3.22.	For information, Firing right ahead.
3.52.	Firing on Port beam. Stand by to open fire.
3.56.	96 Green a Zeppelin.
4. 1½.	Zeppelin altered course to Starboard, rate 900 opening.
4. 3.	Do not load cages with shrapnel. Zeppelin is apparently retiring.
4.15.	All Turrets are to be ready to load with Common.
5.48.	Turrets train 60 Green.
6. 7.	Turrets train 80 Red follow the Director.
10.46.	Cooks of Messes fallen out to prepare dinner.
12. 0.	"A", "Q" and "Y" Turrets Crews to Dinner.

P.M.

2.23.

Secure.

Notes Made by Shorthand in "B" Turret of H.M.S. "Iron Duke" at the Dictation of Lieutenant Commander T. F. P. Calvert, During the Action of 31st May 1916

P.M.

5.55.	Stand By to load.
5.58.	Ship 19 knots.
6. 0.	Battle Cruiser, Starboard Bow, 64 Green. Turrets load—Belay.
6. 2.	Turrets load.
6. 3.	Both Guns loaded.
6. 5.	Stand by to train 40 Green.
6. 6.	White smoke on Upper Deck of "Lion" Port side.
6. 8.	Ship 18 knots.
6.10.	Turrets train 90 Green. "Lion" still on fire.
6.12.	Big shot just short of a destroyer bearing 50 Green. Firing with flashes this way bearing also about 50 Green.
6.13.	Shot fell about 4,000 yds. over on our beam.
6.14.	Fleet deployed to port.
6.15.	11,000.
6.16.30.	Enemy ship, very much on fire, only white smoke, apparently stopped.
6.16.50.	"Lion" "A" and "B" fire 2 gun salvo.
6.17.10.	Next ship to "Lion" fired a salvo.
6.18.	More enemy ships about.
6.18.25.	They are right on our beam, 10"" right of where we are.
6.18.45.	Two enemy shots fell between "Lion" and 4 funnelled cruiser on her port beam.
6.19. 4.	Battle Cruiser, "Inflexible" class, fired salvo.
6.19.30.	Ship alter course to starboard.
6.19.50.	Enemy ship apparently blown up. (This must have been "Defence.")
6.20.	Speed of ship 15 knots.
6.20.22.	Ship steady bearing 83 Green.
6.20.35.	Ship alter course.
6.20.50.	We are 9th ship of line bearing 88 Green.
6.21. 5.	Another enemy ship—right on her now—3 funnels. 2 masts.
6.22. 10.	Speed of ship 17.
6.23.30.	Opened fire. 1st salvo, 3 shots spotted short; 2nd salvo, Straddle; 3rd Salvo, over; 4th salvo, Not spotted.
6.25.40.	Check fire.
6.25.50.	Ship ahead opened fire.
6.26.10.	Steam escaping amidships.
6.26.15.	British Destroyer passing, 2 black balls up, Not under control, 2 men on forecastle.
6.26.20.	Target 70 Green.
6.30.25.	Opened fire, 1st Salvo shots fell right and short.
6.31.	2nd Salvo, all over. Not sighted at all.
6.31.40.	3rd salvo not spotted.
6.32.10.	Ship alter course to port.
6.32.30.	4th salvo straddle over.
6.33.	Rapid salvoes. 5th salvo not spotted.
6.33.25.	6th salvo enemy on fire.
6.33.48.	7th salvo short.
6.34.25.	8th salvo not spotted.
6.35.13.	9th salvo not spotted.
6.35.55.	10th salvo not spotted.
6.36.	Enemy alter course to starboard 300 opening.
6.36.15.	Check fire.
6.39.10.	Ship 15.
6.40.10.	Ship alter course to Starboard.
6.42.50.	Passed another British destroyer not under control with "39" on her stern.
6.43.30.	Destroyer has collision mat over port bow and fire abaft after funnel.
6.45.10.	Very misty, cannot see any enemy ships.
6.48.45.	All turrets train 90 Green.
6.50.	Ship on starboard bow, broken in half.
7. 0.30.	Wing Battleship has just opened fire with a salvo and the second ship.
7. 4.10.	9,300 Turned, went off the target.
7. 5.35.	Target 28 Green.
7. 6. 40.	11,400.
7. 6.50.	Ship alter course to port. Target is the left-hand ship.
7. 7.48.	11,000.
7. 8.10.	10,600.
7. 8.40.	12,000.
7. 9.	11,900.
7.10.	13,500.
7.10.40.	14,100.
7.11.	14,800.

Account of Petty Officer Arthur John Brister

Gunfire was heard in due course, becoming louder. Excitement rising within me, I was sorely tempted to peep through the portholes, but I had to keep my head down and concentrate on the important signals buzzing in; however, when handing signals to the Commander I managed a glance. A mile or two ahead, amidst a cauldron of gunfire, smoke and columns of water, a line of our cruisers were in the thick of it and living dangerously. Just then the Signal Commander gave me the first manœuvring signal, ordering "At once!" Having transmitted the signal "JJJ" (battle fleet) I was waiting for acknowledgements when the Commander shouted, "Executive now!"

Notable Crew Members at Jutland

Robert Arthur William Joseph Southwell, Sixth Viscount Southwell (1898 – 1960) served at Jutland.¹

Notes

1. The Times, Wednesday, Nov 23, 1960; pg. 17; Issue 54936; col A