Difference between revisions of "Third L.C.S. (Royal Navy) at the Battle of Jutland"

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*{{UK-Chester}}, {{CaptRN}} [[Robert Neale Lawson]]
 
*{{UK-Chester}}, {{CaptRN}} [[Robert Neale Lawson]]
 
*{{UK-Canterbury}}, {{CaptRN}} [[Percy Molyneux Rawson Royds]]
 
*{{UK-Canterbury}}, {{CaptRN}} [[Percy Molyneux Rawson Royds]]
 +
 +
==Rear-Admiral's Report==
 +
[[File:JODPlate15.png|thumb|400px|'''3rd L.C.S. Track Chart (Plate 15)'''{{UKJutlandOD|Plate 15}} ]]
 +
{{RearRN}} [[Trevylyan Dacres Willes Napier]] submitted a report and a track chart for the Squadron on 5 June.{{UKJutlandOD|pp. 185-7, Plate 15}}
 +
 +
<poem>
 +
SIR,
 +
:I HAVE the honour to submit the following report of the
 +
proceedings of the {{UK-LCS|3}} under my
 +
command during the action on 31st May 1916.
 +
:2. At 2.23 p.m., the Light Cruiser Screen being then spread
 +
in an E.N.E. direction, the centre bearing S.S.E. from " {{UK-Lion}},"
 +
and the course just being altered to N. by E., " {{UK-Galatea}}'s "
 +
report of enemy Cruisers was received, and the First Light
 +
Cruiser Squadron proceeded in an E.S.E. direction at full speed,
 +
and the Third Light Cruiser Squadron closed in support, also
 +
at full speed.
 +
:3. I directed " {{UK-Engadine}} " to take cover near our Battle
 +
Cruisers.
 +
:4. At 2.45 p.m., we sighted two or three enemy Cruisers,
 +
about 12 miles E.S.E., firing at the First Light Cruiser Squadron,
 +
and the shots falling mostly short. Being far outranged, we
 +
endeavoured to keep touch without closing much, and to lead
 +
the enemy round to the direction of our Battlefleet (N.W.),
 +
whilst the Battle Cruisers were steering to the eastward to cut
 +
them off.
 +
:5. At 3.33 p.m., the enemy altered to about E.S.E. and
 +
the First and Third Light Cruiser Squadrons did the same. At
 +
this time splashes were falling close ahead.
 +
:6. At 4.32 p.m., we passed a quantity of what looked like
 +
large brass cartridge cases of twelve to fifteen inches diameter,
 +
but have since been considered to have probably been smoke
 +
boxes, as the enemy had already been much obscured by whitish
 +
clouds of smoke.
 +
:7. We then endeavoured (at 4.30 p.m.) with the First Light
 +
Cruiser Squadron to engage the four enemy cruisers which
 +
appeared to be detached to the northward of the enemy's main
 +
body, but at 4.50 p.m. we sighted our own Battle Cruisers
 +
ahead and steering towards us (W.N.W.), and engaged with
 +
the enemy Battle Cruisers to starboard. We accordingly altered
 +
to keep ahead of our Battle Cruisers, and twenty minutes later
 +
passed the wreckage of a sunken ship.
 +
:8. At 5.33 p.m., we sighted two or three cruisers approaching
 +
from the NM., which were the first portion of our own Battle-
 +
fleet screen, and we altered round gradually and joined in with
 +
the Battlefleet screen steering about S.E.
 +
:9. Here we were much restricted for room, the First Cruiser
 +
Squadron, {{UK-LCS|4}} and Destroyer Screen
 +
all moving in the same direction with us. The First Light
 +
Cruiser Squadron managed to turn away and get clear and thus
 +
eased the crowding.
 +
:10. We then, in common with other ships, engaged a large
 +
3-funnelled Light Cruiser, I think " {{DE-Elbing}}," from 9,700 to
 +
4,600 yards ; and she was soon brought to a standstill. " Fal-
 +
mouth " fired a torpedo at her at about 5,000 yards, but the
 +
result is unknown.
 +
:11. Fire was then shifted to two other Light Cruisers who
 +
were firing at our destroyers ; and after a short time they turned
 +
away and were lost to view.
 +
:12. Two enemy Battle Cruisers then appeared detached
 +
from the others, and steering about east, thought to be " Derf-
 +
finger " and one other (possibly " {{DE-Lutzow}} ").
 +
:They were from 6,000 to 5,000 yards on our starboard beam,
 +
and were engaged by the {{UK-BCS|3}}, who
 +
joined from the north and turned to the eastward about 2,000
 +
yards on our port beam.
 +
:13. No other target presenting itself, fire was directed at
 +
the leading Battle Cruiser from 5,200 to 6,100 yards, and fire
 +
was returned  by the Battle Cruisers with 6-in.
 +
:14. " {{UK-Falmouth}} " and " {{UK-Yarmouth}} " both fired torpedoes
 +
at her, and it is believed that " {{UK-Falmouth}}'s " torpedo hit, as
 +
an underwater explosion  was distinctly visible.
 +
:15. About 6.30  p.m., " {{UK-Invincible}} " blew up in approx.
 +
57° 8' N., 6° 17' E. My impression is that it was the result of
 +
a shot into her magazine. There was certainly so sign of water
 +
in the explosion.
 +
:16. Soon after, the enemy Battle Cruisers turned away to
 +
westward, and were  were left without an enemy to engage.
 +
:17. Here I should like to bring to your notice the action of
 +
a destroyer (name unknown, thought to be marked with the
 +
number " 59,"  ? " {{UK-Acasta}} " ?) which we passed close in a disabled
 +
condition soon after 6.0 p.m. She apparently was able to
 +
struggle ahead again and made straight for the " {{DE-Derfflinger}} "
 +
to attack her. The incident appeared so courageous that it
 +
seems desirable to investigate it further, as I am unable to be
 +
certain of the vessel's identity.
 +
:18. " {{UK-Canterbury}} " joined my squadron at 7.0 p.m., and
 +
being ahead of our Battle Cruisers we kept that position, steering
 +
about W.S.W., and at 7.36 p.m. reduced to 18 knots by signal
 +
from " {{UK-Lion}}."
 +
:19. At 7.50 p.m. I was directed by " {{UK-Lion}} " to sweep to
 +
the westward and to locate the head of the enemy's line before
 +
dark; and I formed the Light Cruisers on a line of bearing South,
 +
course West, 24 knots.
 +
:20. Five enemy cruisers were sighted W. by N. and fire was
 +
opened at 8.18 p.m., at 9,600 yards, closing to 6,000 ; the enemy
 +
replied, but their fire was erratic. At 8.25 p.m. the course was
 +
S.W., 25 knots. At 8.32 the course was W.S.W. and. the enemy
 +
altered 8 points together away from us.
 +
:21. Our course was altered to West and W.N.W., but at
 +
8.38 p.m. we lost sight of the enemy in the mist, and fire was
 +
checked.
 +
:22. We then found ourselves  drawing across the bows of
 +
the enemy's Battle Cruisers, who I think were being engaged
 +
by our Battle Cruisers, and we turned to about W.S.W., and
 +
then S.S.W. to regain our position ahead of our Battle Cruisers.
 +
:23. During the night we kept on the starboard bow of our
 +
Battle Cruisers and Battle ships, steering South, and altering to
 +
N. by E. at daylight.
 +
:24. At 3.15 a.m. a Zeppelin was following the rear of our
 +
Fleet, observing, and we drove it off with shrapnel fire, although
 +
unable to bring it down at the range, which was 14,000 yards.
 +
:It is interesting to note that Naval Airship " L. 24 " in a
 +
badly damaged condition succeeded in reaching the coast of
 +
Schleswig on 1st June, but then came down, and broke in two
 +
pieces " (D.A.R. No. 83 of 3rd June 1916).
 +
25. The remainder of the second day was spent sweeping
 +
to the Northward with our Battle Cruisers without sighting
 +
any enemy, and at night we returned with them to our base.
 +
26. Although the Squadron was under fire during the afternoon
 +
and evening of the 31st May, no ships received any direct hits
 +
except " {{UK-Falmouth}} " whose fore top communications were out.
 +
:Ships were occasionally struck by shrapnel and small pieces
 +
of shell.
 +
:There were no casualties.
 +
{{JODSig|T. D. W. NAPIER|Rear-Admiral|The Vice-Admiral Commanding,|Battle Cruiser Fleet.}}
 +
</poem>
  
 
==Falmouth==
 
==Falmouth==

Revision as of 13:09, 16 October 2013

On 7 June, 1916, Vice-Admiral Beatty asked the light cruiser squadrons that had operated with him to submit a report of the recent Battle of Jutland. Rear-Admiral Trevylyan Napier of the Third Light Cruiser Squadron replied on 10 June,[1] forwarding reports of his own Falmouth, as well as Birkenhead, promising to supply data from Chester later, presumably because she'd been so badly mauled. Chatham was "not applicable", as she had struck a mine and was under repair and so missed the battle.

The Third was represented in the battle by four light cruisers, with another detached to screen the Third Battle Cruiser Squadron. seaplane carrier Engadine operated in a detached manner.[2]

For some reason, Yarmouth and Gloucester reports were noted as "Blank".

Chester was detached along with the very new and unaffiliated Canterbury to screen the Third Battle Cruiser Squadron.

Rear-Admiral's Report

File:JODPlate15.png
3rd L.C.S. Track Chart (Plate 15)[3]

Rear-Admiral Trevylyan Dacres Willes Napier submitted a report and a track chart for the Squadron on 5 June.[4]

SIR,
I HAVE the honour to submit the following report of the
proceedings of the Third Light Cruiser Squadron under my
command during the action on 31st May 1916.
2. At 2.23 p.m., the Light Cruiser Screen being then spread
in an E.N.E. direction, the centre bearing S.S.E. from " Lion,"
and the course just being altered to N. by E., " Galatea's "
report of enemy Cruisers was received, and the First Light
Cruiser Squadron proceeded in an E.S.E. direction at full speed,
and the Third Light Cruiser Squadron closed in support, also
at full speed.
3. I directed " Engadine " to take cover near our Battle
Cruisers.
4. At 2.45 p.m., we sighted two or three enemy Cruisers,
about 12 miles E.S.E., firing at the First Light Cruiser Squadron,
and the shots falling mostly short. Being far outranged, we
endeavoured to keep touch without closing much, and to lead
the enemy round to the direction of our Battlefleet (N.W.),
whilst the Battle Cruisers were steering to the eastward to cut
them off.
5. At 3.33 p.m., the enemy altered to about E.S.E. and
the First and Third Light Cruiser Squadrons did the same. At
this time splashes were falling close ahead.
6. At 4.32 p.m., we passed a quantity of what looked like
large brass cartridge cases of twelve to fifteen inches diameter,
but have since been considered to have probably been smoke
boxes, as the enemy had already been much obscured by whitish
clouds of smoke.
7. We then endeavoured (at 4.30 p.m.) with the First Light
Cruiser Squadron to engage the four enemy cruisers which
appeared to be detached to the northward of the enemy's main
body, but at 4.50 p.m. we sighted our own Battle Cruisers
ahead and steering towards us (W.N.W.), and engaged with
the enemy Battle Cruisers to starboard. We accordingly altered
to keep ahead of our Battle Cruisers, and twenty minutes later
passed the wreckage of a sunken ship.
8. At 5.33 p.m., we sighted two or three cruisers approaching
from the NM., which were the first portion of our own Battle-
fleet screen, and we altered round gradually and joined in with
the Battlefleet screen steering about S.E.
9. Here we were much restricted for room, the First Cruiser
Squadron, Fourth Light Cruiser Squadron and Destroyer Screen
all moving in the same direction with us. The First Light
Cruiser Squadron managed to turn away and get clear and thus
eased the crowding.
10. We then, in common with other ships, engaged a large
3-funnelled Light Cruiser, I think " Elbing," from 9,700 to
4,600 yards ; and she was soon brought to a standstill. " Fal-
mouth " fired a torpedo at her at about 5,000 yards, but the
result is unknown.
11. Fire was then shifted to two other Light Cruisers who
were firing at our destroyers ; and after a short time they turned
away and were lost to view.
12. Two enemy Battle Cruisers then appeared detached
from the others, and steering about east, thought to be " Derf-
finger " and one other (possibly " Lützow ").
They were from 6,000 to 5,000 yards on our starboard beam,
and were engaged by the Third Battle Cruiser Squadron, who
joined from the north and turned to the eastward about 2,000
yards on our port beam.
13. No other target presenting itself, fire was directed at
the leading Battle Cruiser from 5,200 to 6,100 yards, and fire
was returned by the Battle Cruisers with 6-in.
14. " Falmouth " and " Yarmouth " both fired torpedoes
at her, and it is believed that " Falmouth's " torpedo hit, as
an underwater explosion was distinctly visible.
15. About 6.30 p.m., " Invincible " blew up in approx.
57° 8' N., 6° 17' E. My impression is that it was the result of
a shot into her magazine. There was certainly so sign of water
in the explosion.
16. Soon after, the enemy Battle Cruisers turned away to
westward, and were were left without an enemy to engage.
17. Here I should like to bring to your notice the action of
a destroyer (name unknown, thought to be marked with the
number " 59,"  ? " Acasta " ?) which we passed close in a disabled
condition soon after 6.0 p.m. She apparently was able to
struggle ahead again and made straight for the " Derfflinger "
to attack her. The incident appeared so courageous that it
seems desirable to investigate it further, as I am unable to be
certain of the vessel's identity.
18. " Canterbury " joined my squadron at 7.0 p.m., and
being ahead of our Battle Cruisers we kept that position, steering
about W.S.W., and at 7.36 p.m. reduced to 18 knots by signal
from " Lion."
19. At 7.50 p.m. I was directed by " Lion " to sweep to
the westward and to locate the head of the enemy's line before
dark; and I formed the Light Cruisers on a line of bearing South,
course West, 24 knots.
20. Five enemy cruisers were sighted W. by N. and fire was
opened at 8.18 p.m., at 9,600 yards, closing to 6,000 ; the enemy
replied, but their fire was erratic. At 8.25 p.m. the course was
S.W., 25 knots. At 8.32 the course was W.S.W. and. the enemy
altered 8 points together away from us.
21. Our course was altered to West and W.N.W., but at
8.38 p.m. we lost sight of the enemy in the mist, and fire was
checked.
22. We then found ourselves drawing across the bows of
the enemy's Battle Cruisers, who I think were being engaged
by our Battle Cruisers, and we turned to about W.S.W., and
then S.S.W. to regain our position ahead of our Battle Cruisers.
23. During the night we kept on the starboard bow of our
Battle Cruisers and Battle ships, steering South, and altering to
N. by E. at daylight.
24. At 3.15 a.m. a Zeppelin was following the rear of our
Fleet, observing, and we drove it off with shrapnel fire, although
unable to bring it down at the range, which was 14,000 yards.
It is interesting to note that Naval Airship " L. 24 " in a
badly damaged condition succeeded in reaching the coast of
Schleswig on 1st June, but then came down, and broke in two
pieces " (D.A.R. No. 83 of 3rd June 1916).
25. The remainder of the second day was spent sweeping
to the Northward with our Battle Cruisers without sighting
any enemy, and at night we returned with them to our base.
26. Although the Squadron was under fire during the afternoon
and evening of the 31st May, no ships received any direct hits
except " Falmouth " whose fore top communications were out.
Ships were occasionally struck by shrapnel and small pieces
of shell.
There were no casualties.

I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
T. D. W. NAPIER,
Rear-Admiral.

The Vice-Admiral Commanding,

Battle Cruiser Fleet.

Falmouth

Falmouth's Captain's report was promptly offered on 9 June, noting that, "no consecutive records were kept in either control or transmitting stations, but notes were made when possible of ranges, rates, &c., ... The times given are taken from notes taken from the Bridge."

Time (approx) Bearing Range Deflection Remarks
from to from to
6.07 pm Bow 9700 8100 18R 28R Light cruiser
Before beam 8100 5800 28R 38R Target disabled and stopped.
Beam 5800 4600 38R 28R
Abaft beam 4600 5400 28R 22R Target in sinking condition. Ceased fire.
6.15 pm
to
6.30 pm		 Beam 6000 6600 8R zero Battle cruiser
Before beam 6000 9100 zero 8R Light cruiser
On fire aft.Enemy driven off.
Lost in mist.
Abaft beam 5200 6100 zero 8R Battle cruiser
Enemy turned away.
Lost to sight.
8.18 pm
to
8.38 pm		 Beam 9600 6000 zero 8L Light cruiser Z1
Very indistinct owing to dusk.
Beam 6000 9300 8L zero
Beam 9300 9600 zero zero Light cruiser Z2
Beam 9800 10200 zero 10R Light cruiser Z1
Enemy turned away and disappeared.

Birkenhead

Birkenhead's Captain replied on 9 June from records kept in Control and Transmitting Stations.

6.5 p.m. Opened fire on enemy light cruiser (probably Wiesbaden class) at about Green 55, enemy heading about NW. Visibility increased at this moment and the sun could be seen shining on enemy's starboard side. She was stopped or going slow.

  Opening Range 8000. Rate 500 closing.
Down 800.
Up 200.
"Straddle", in line with foremost funnel.

Enemy had foremost gun still in action, order "Right 4" was therefore given and a "straddle" obtained in line with foremost gun. A fire broke out on enemy's forecastle. Eight or nine salvoes were fired and hits obtained at each salvo after the first two.

Several ships were firing at the same enemy, bu by the use of the time of flight watch, our own salvoes could be easily distinguished. "Overs" could be seen.[5]

The Officer in the after control observed an enemy destroyer on the light cruiser's port quarter, firing on gun at Birkenhead. This destroyer was not noticed on Fore Bridge or on Fore Top.

Minimum range used 4500 yards.

Fire was ceased when ships astern started engaging the enemy, all her guns had then ceased firing and an officer in the battery, afterward reported seeing her flag hauled down.

6.24.p.m. Birkenhead was about to fire a torpedo from the starboard tube at an enemy Battle Cruiser, when it was observed that the range of the 3rd Battle Cruiser Squadron was being fouled. Birkenhead therefore altered course, thereby losing the opportunity.

6.25.p.m. Engaged enemy Battle Cruiser of Lutzow class at about Green 100, range about 8000 yards. There were two enemy Battle Cruisers in company, the second being of Seidlitz [sic] or Moltke class, and some of the guns fired at the wrong target. Both were rendered very indistinct by their own funnel and gun smoke. Only three or four salvoes were fired and fall of shot could not be seen.

Enemy ships at this time appeared to be firing at 3rd Battle Cruiser Squadron, which was ahead of Birkenhead — a good many shots appeared to be missing for direction.

6.34.p.m. Mined were reported on starboard bow, but it is thought they were fisherman's bladders.

6.35.p.m. Observed Invincible enveloped in a cloud of smoke. Birkenhead was at the time about 1500 yards on her port quarter. A salvo of 5 rounds had been observed to pitch over Invincible and a second one of 3 rounds just over before the cloud of smoke started to rise. Before the next astern reached the spot, the smoke had cleared away, and only the bow and stern were seen above water, the ship apparently having broken in two amidships.

At almost the same time as Invincible blew up, a torpedo passed ahead of Birkenhead. Course of torpedo about NE.

8.20.p.m. While on port bow of Falmouth (3rd L.C.Squadron ahead of B.C.Fleet), observed her to be under fire. Birkenhead altered course 32 points to get in line and to get clear of the rest of the Squadron's smoke. Observed smoke of enemy's ships apparently being covered by a destroyer smoke screen.

An attempt was made to open fire, but the gunlayers could see nothing to fire at and only two rounds were fired.

The firing of Falmouth was of very short duration.

Canterbury

Canterbury's Track Chart (Plate 23)[6]

Canterbury issued her report and a track chart on 2 June.[7]

SIR,
I HAVE the honour to report proceedings of this ship from
30th May to Friday 2nd June, during which period I was attached
to a portion of your force, viz., first to Third Battle Cruiser
Squadron, and later to Third Light Cruiser Squadron.
Left Scapa Flow in company with 3rd B.C.S. at 9 p.m.
Tuesday 30th May, and took station five miles ahead, " Chester "
being five miles astern. Shaped course as necessary to maintain
position ahead of Grand Fleet, steaming in S. 73 East direction
until 3.45 p.m. 31st, when in latitude 57.40 North, Longitude
5.40 East, course was altered to South South East.
At 2.25 p.m. Wednesday 31st reports of enemy's vessels
commenced to be received, continuing to 5.40 p.m., when in
latitude 56.58 North, 6.14 East, Third B.C.S. turned round to
about N. 30 West. I immediately turned to the same direction
and increased to full speed, quickly closing.
At about 5.52 p.m. Third B.C.S. opened fire to port, and
immediately after, a four-funnelled cruiser of " Roon " class and a
three-funnelled cruiser were sighted on our port bow ahead of
the enemy's battle cruisers, distance about 12,000 yards, steering
in southerly direction.
To follow Third B.C.S. it would mean running past the
battle cruisers, and considering this inadvisable I turned roughly
16 points to port and engaged enemy's light cruisers, who were
then administering heavy punishment to two British destroyers,
one of whom was on fire aft, and the other standing by her :
our approach soon reduced the fire on them—we fired 40 rounds
of 6-in. and 35 rounds of 4-in. at a range of 10,000 yards.
The three-funnelled cruiser was seen to be badly on fire aft,
while this ship although surrounded by falling shot was only
hit once. A 4.1-in. high explosive armour-piercing shell hitting
her in the ship's side just abaft after 6-in. gun, passing through
two bulkheads, the main deck and landing in the fresh water tank
—failing to explode.
I was then joined at about 7.15 p.m. by 3rd Light Cruiser
Squadron, and asked permission to join up under the Rear-
Admiral, taking station next astern of him in Falmouth, and
with 3rd Light Cruiser squadron engaged enemy's head.
I remained under the orders of Rear-Admiral Third Light
Cruiser Squadron until 8.35 p.m. 1st June, when I received orders
to proceed to Harwich to join Commodore (T).
At 3.20 a.m. I received orders from the C.-in-C. to proceed
to the assistance of H.M.S. " Marlborough," and sighted her
off the Humber 2.45 p.m, 2nd June.
During the action the firing of the German light cruisers was
all by director, each salvo falling in a space of 30 yards, and being
very rapid.
" Invincible " was seen to blow up at 6.35 p.m., a terrible
explosion taking place, the ship being split in two, her bow and
stern standing on one end entirely separated. In addition to the
light cruisers already reported one battle cruiser (No. 2) was
seen to be heavily on fire.
Attached a rough track chart of the impression that remains
in my mind of the approximate movements.[8]

I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
PERCY ROYDS,
Captain.

Vice-Admiral,

Commanding Battle Cruiser Squadron.

See Also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Beatty Papers at the National Maritime Museum. (BTY 6/6), item 6.
  2. ↑ Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. pp. 33, 46.
  3. ↑ Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. Plate 15.
  4. ↑ Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. pp. 185-7, Plate 15.
  5. ↑ It is rare that men reported being able to see "overs".
  6. ↑ Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. Plate 23.
  7. ↑ Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. pp. 268-9, Plate 23.
  8. ↑ See Plate 23.

Bibliography

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