Second L.C.S. (Royal Navy) at the Battle of Jutland

The Second Light Cruiser Squadron operated in a screening role for the Battle Cruiser Fleet at the Battle of Jutland.

Under the command of Commodore William Edmund Goodenough in Southampton, the squadron was notably more attentive to its role in keeping the fleet commander informed as to enemy movements and dispositions, often by wireless. Goodenough's report on the action was sent on 12 June, 1916, and included his own report for Southampton with enclosures from the captains of the other three light cruisers in his formation.

The Squadron was represented by four light cruisers at the battle.

• Southampton Commodore William Edmund Goodenough
• Birmingham, Captain Arthur Allan Morison Duff
• Nottingham, Captain Charles B. Miller
• Dublin, Captain Albert Charles Scott

Southampton

Commodore William Edmund Goodenough's own report for his flagship was dated 2 June, 1916 and was soon followed by a short note dated 5 June.

SIR,
I HAVE the honour to submit the following report of the
proceedings of the Second Light Cruiser Squadron, consisting of
HM. Ships " Southampton " (wearing my Broad Pendant),
" Nottingham " (Captain Charles B. Miller), " Birmingham "
(Captain Arthur A. M. Duff), and " Dublin " (Captain Albert
C. Scott) during the operations on 31st May and 1st June :—
31st May.
2. The enemy were reported by the Senior Officer, 1st Light
Cruiser Squadron, between 2.23 and 2.56 p.m.
3. A t 4.40 p.m. " Southampton " sighted and reported
enemy's battle fleet bearing S. by E., steering N. The Second
Light Cruiser Squadron closed to within 13,000 yards to observe
enemy's battle fleet, and came under very heavy fire.
At 5.00 p.m. the Second Light Cruiser Squadron turned
Northwards and followed our battle cruisers and 5th battle
squadron. The Second Light Cruiser Squadron were at this
time practically in line with the rear ship of the 5th battle
squadron, and came under a very heavy fire from time to time
until about 6.05 p.m. ; no damage, however, resulted.
4. At 6.15 p.m. our battle fleet was sighted right ahead.
5. At 6.35 p.m. " Warspite " suddenly turned South and
ran in towards the German line, coming under heavy concentrated
fire.
" Warspite " shortly afterwards rejoined the line at
the rear. During this time the Second Light Cruiser Squadron
occupied position " N " (in accordance with Grand Fleet Battle
Orders, page 41).
6. At about 6.40 p.m. the action appeared to become general.
7. At 6.47 p.m. the Second Light Cruiser Squadron turned
in towards the German line partly to finish off a disabled
battleship, but more to observe the enemy's rear more clearly,
their course being in doubt. Enemy's turn to E.S.E. was
reported by " Southampton" at 7.04 p.m.
The Squadron now came under heavy fire from the German
battle fleet, and it became necessary to return to the rear of
our battle line.
Between 6.55 and 7.05 p.m. water and spray was constantly
coming on board " Southampton " from enemy's salvoes,
which were dropping all round the ship.
8. At 7.30 p.m. the Germans altered course together to
S. by W., and their destroyers made an effective smoke screen,
as the German fleet was now in bad light.
9. At about 8.30 p.m. a German destroyer was sighted and
fired on by " Southampton " and " Dublin," who hit her heavily
amidships. She was afterwards sunk by a division of our
destroyers.
10. At 9.00 p.m. the enemy's destroyers attempted to attack
our 5th battle squadron from the North-West. They were
driven off by the Second Light Cruiser Squadron ; one destroyer
was observed to have been hit.
11. At 10.20 p.m. the Squadron was engaged with five enemy
ships, apparently a cruiser and four light cruisers, who concen-
trated on " Southampton " and " Dublin " at very short range.
The action was very sharp while it lasted (about 15 minutes), and
the casualties in " Southampton " were heavy. Detailed lists
of killed and wounded in " Southampton " and " Dublin " have
been forwarded separately.
Three fires broke out on board " Southampton " during the
action; these were promptly extinguished, though the hoses
had been very much cut up by shell fire.
12. On the enemy retiring, " Southampton," " Nottingham,"
and " Birmingham " proceeded and remained astern and on
starboard quarter of the centre of the battle fleet during the
night, as it was not known what protection they had against
destroyer attack. Firing astern was heard at intervals between
10.30 p.m. and 2.00 a.m.
H.M.S. " Dublin " became detached from the Squadron
during the night, and did not rejoin till 10.00 a.m. the next day.
1st June.
13. Squadron, except "Dublin," regained touch with our
Battle Cruiser Fleet at 4.30 a.m., and proceeded as ordered.
" Southampton " passed a mine, with horns, at 4.25 a.m.
in Latitude 55' 25' N., Longitude 6' 11' E.
14. The behaviour of all ranks and ratings of" Southampton"
while the ship was in the trying position of receiving a heavy
fire from 11 and 12-in. guns without being able to return it,
and also during the night action with fires breaking out on board
was in every way in accordance with the best and highest
traditions of the Service.

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Details on recommendation, personnel &c. omitted from the Report
as reproduced in the Official Despatches.

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15. A track chart
enclosed (Enclosure 2).

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

W. E. GOODENOUGH,

Commodore.

Second Light Cruiser Squadron

The Vice-Admiral Commanding,

Battle Cruiser Fleet,

SIR,
IN continuation of my letter No. 037/5 of 2nd June, I have
the honour to report that from a piece of shell found on board
" Southampton " it appears that one of the cruisers engaged
with the Second Light Cruiser Squadron at 10.20 p.m. on
31st May was armed with 9.4-in. guns, probably the " Roon "
or " Fürst Bismarck."
The course of the enemy squadron was S.S.E., and position
at 10.20 p.m. Latitude 56° 10' N., Longitude 6° 11' E. When
beaten off, they appeared to retire to the westward.
One torpedo (high speed setting) was fired at close range by
" Southampton " at 10.21 p.m. It is worth observing that
when passing within about a mile of the spot, by reckoning,
at 11.30 a.m. the next day, the sea was covered by oil, for an
area of about a square mile.

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Details on recommendation, personnel &c. omitted from the Report
as reproduced in the Official Despatches.

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I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

W. E. GOODENOUGH,

Commodore.

Second Light Cruiser Squadron

The Vice-Admiral Commanding,

Battle Cruiser Fleet,

Birmingham

Captain Arthur Allan Morison Duff's report to Goodenough was dated 2 June.

SIR,
I HAVE the honour to report that during the operations on
31st May 1916 and 1st June 1916 I was in the immediate presence
of your broad pendant except for a few hours during the night
31st May 1916-1st June 1916, and I therefore only mention a
few points that may be of interest together with an account of
my proceedings during the time I was separated from you.
2. About 4.35 p.m. G.M.T. on Wednesday, 31st May 1916,
H.M.S. " Birmingham " was under heavy fire from 11-in. or
12-in. guns of the enemy's battle fleet, and on one or two other
occasions later in the evening.
On all these occasions the shells were falling all round the
ship so close that a good many pieces of the shells as they burst
catne on board and also a good deal of water thrown up by them.
The fact that the ship was not actually hit appeared extra-
ordinary, and I attribute it in a great measure to the fact that
on each occasion when fire was opened the ship at once steered
away at full speed, and on each salvo falling near the ship, course
was at once altered 2 points one way or another. As a result
of this, although the next salvo appeared correct for range it
was generally well clear to the right or left,. But there was
also a large element of good fortune in it, as when there was
more than one ship firing at us it was impossible to avoid them
all and many fell all round the ship.
It was noticed that just before they ceased firing on account
of the ship getting out of range, the time of flight was 40 seconds,
which appeared also to be the time between the salvoes.
3. About 7.0 p.m. G.M.T. on 31st May 1916 fire was opened
on a disabled battleship or large cruiser with the remainder of
the squadron, and the shooting appeared to be good, the bursts
of the shell on her being quite obvious.
4. I was unable to fire on the destroyer that the rest of the
squadron fired at later in the evening owing to being blanketed
by some of our own destroyers.
5. During the attack on the enemy's cruisers about 10.15 p.m.
G.M.T. it was impossible, owing to the smoke made by the
three ships that were ahead of me in the line, to see anything
until the enemy's ships switched on their searchlights when fire
was opened on the rear ship. From the same cause it was then
so difficult to see that I could not distinguish what class of
ships they were. The enemy ship returned the fire and the
shot fell very close round the ship.
6. After the squadron turned to the Eastward together
I found myself approaching our 5th Battle Squadron, who were
steering to the Southward, and was obliged to turn to the north-
ward to avoid the two rear ships, thus losing touch with the
remainder of the 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron. As I could not
see any destroyers or light cruisers guarding the 5th Battle
Squadron from enemy destroyer attack in that direction,
I remained during the dark hours on the starboard quarter of
the rear ship from where I could act in the event of an attack
on them. At daylight I sighted " Southampton " and " Notting-
ham " on my starboard bow and rejoined.
7. At about 11.30 p.m. G.M.T. on 31st May 1916 I observed
two or more large enemy ships switch on their searchlights and
open fire on some of our destroyers or light cruiser and destroyers,
astern. At the time I was convinced from their appearance
and the speed they were going that they were the enemy battle
cruisers, but I have since ascertained that they were probably
battleships.
8. Soon after midnight 31st May-1st June 19161 observed
heavy firing some distance away to the North-eastward.
9. When under fire of the battle fleet the engines were put
to full speed and subsequently kept at it for two hours in order
to regain station. During this period the revolutions averaged
381, or 14 higher than the ship has done since she was in commis-
sion. The work of the engine-room department under Engineer
Commander John B. Hewitt was most satisfactory throughout
a very arduous day.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

A. DUFF,

Captain.

The Commodore Commanding,

Second Light Cruiser Squadron,

H.M.S. " Southampton."

Nottingham

Captain Charles B. Miller's report to Goodenough was dated 2 June.

SIR,
I HAVE the honour to report the proceedings of H.M. Ship
under my command, during the Action on 31st May 1916.
2. At 2.56 p.m. a signal was received from Senior Officer,
Battle Cruiser Fleet, to 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron : "Prepare
to attack the van of the enemy."
3. " Nottingham " was at that time on " Lion's " starboard
bow and took up a position a shade on her port bow as far ahead
as possible, in order to break up any attack from Enemy
Torpedo Craft, and to support our own Torpedo Boat Destroyers
of 13th Flotilla.
4. The enemy Torpedo Boat Destroyers started to attack
about 4.0 p.m., and " Nottingham " opened fire upon them,
which fire appeared to be effective, and the attack was not
pressed home.
5. As " Lion " was gradually opening the range, " Notting-
ham " altered to starboard to prevent getting in her way, and
when " Nottingham " could no longer support the T.B.D.'s,
she took station on Commodore 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron,
which station she maintained during rile remainder ot the action.
6. About 4.40 p.m., "Nottingham " tired an E.R. Torpedo
at Enemy Battle Fleet ; the range being about 16,500 yards,
the Battle Fleet being in line ahead. No other opportunity for
firing torpedoes presented itself.
7. The ship was steaming at high speed from 3.0 p.m. until
8.0 p.m., and from 4.0 p.m. to 6.0 p.m. the engines were running
at a mean speed of 377 revolutions, the greatest S.H.P. developed
being 28,156.
8. No defects were brought to fight except an increased
leakage of oil fuel from after tanks into reserve feed tanks in
After Engine Room, caused probably by the vibration.
9. I would submit that this performance is most creditable
to the whole of the Engine Room Stag especially in that
Engineer Commander Gerald Moore, R.N., was able to receive
no assistance from the Senior Engineer Lieutenant, he and
14 Engine Room Ratings (including seven chief or P.O.'s) being
out of the ship at the time.
10. I enclose a tracing showing the rough track of " Notting-
ham " between 3.0 p.m and 10.30 p.m. This track was plotted
a trained rating track working in the Lower Conning Tower.
11. " Nottingham " sustained no damage and no direct hits
from heavy shell, although she was frequently straddled and
fragmentsplotted of heavy shell bursting in the water close to the ship
struck the sides and fell about the upper deck.
12. The behaviour of both Officers and Ship's Company was
everything that could be desired.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

CHARLES B. MILLER,

Captain.

The Commodore Commanding,

Second Light Cruiser Squadron

H.M.S. " Southampton."

Dublin

Captain Albert Charles Scott's report to Goodenough was dated 2 June.

SIR,
I HAVE the honour to report that the proceedings of
H.M. Ship under my command during 30th-31st May and
1st June were as follows :—
Tuesday Night, 30th May.
At 9.30 p.m. Proceeded to sea with 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron.
When clear of May Island, took up usual
screen ahead of Battle Cruisers, 2nd L.C.
Squadron on Starboard wing position.
318/ May.
At 2.30 p.m. " Galatea " reported enemy's Cruisers in sight.
At 3.40 p.m. Sighted 5 enemy Battle Cruisers and several
destroyers with them.
At 3.50 p.m. " Lion " opened fire on enemy's Battle Cruisers.
At 4. 4 p.m. " Indefatigable " blew up.
At 4.12 p.m. Ordered by Commodore of 2nd L.C. Squadron
to support our Destroyers in a Torpedo attack.
" Dublin " at the time being about 5 cables
on disengaged bow of " Lion " and, proceeding
at "Full speed," it was found impossible to
cross the bows of the " Lion " to take up
position, also our smoke would have much
interfered with the " Lion " if I could have
crossed her bows.
4.30 p.m. "Queen Mary" blew up and sank.
4.35 p.m. 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron in "Single Line
ahead."
4.40 p.m. Our Battle Cruisers altered course 16 points to
Starboard, 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron now
to rear.
4.43 p.m. Enemy's Battle Fleet sighted—steering to the
Northward.
4.56 p.m. 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron under very heavy
shell fire from enemy's Battle Fleet, salvoes
falling very close, but the ship did not receive
a direct hit, although many pieces of 12-in.
shell came inboard, the Navigating Officer,
Lieutenant Percy Strickland, being hit by
a small piece which did no harm. He was
standing by my side at the time, on the
Tipper Bridge.
4.58 p.m. A 12-in, shell struck the water a few 'yards on
Starboard beam and 4 shells passed just over
the bridge.
5.15 p.m. Observed one of our " M " class Torpedo Boat
Destroyers sinking.
5.47 p.m. "Opened fire" on damaged enemy ship.
6.22 p.m. Ship bearing N.E. blew up.
6.23 p.m. " Warspite " hauled out of line and enemy's
Battle Fleet concentrated their fire on her, but
she had regained her position in line by
6.45 p.m.
7.20 p.m. Our Battle Fleet "opened fire" on enemy's
Battle Fleet.
7.45 p.m. Observed two enemy destroyers on Starboard
Beam, "opened fire" on same.
8. 6 p.m. Lost sight of enemy's Battle Fleet.
8.56 p.m. Observed two enemy torpedo boat destroyers on
Starboard bow and "opened fire" on same,
and they disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
9.10 p.m. Heard heavy firing S.W.
10.40 p.m. Sighted enemy's vessels on Starboard Beam, it
being quite dark and rather misty. Directly
enemy "switched on" searchlights " Dublin "
opened a very rapid fire on an enemy ship
on the Beam, but it was impossible to distin-
guish what ship it was.
10.45 p.m. Lieutenant Percy Strickland. Navigating Officer,
was killed as he was stepping on to the Upper
Bridge, ship lyas being hit many times, and
on a fire starting on the Seamen's Mess Deck
the ship was hauled out 3 points, which made
enemy's shells fall short.
10.55 p.m. Resumed course of 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron.
11 . 0 p.m. All firing ceased, and in total darkness hauled
About over 3 points to Port as " Southampton"
appeared to be doing so.
11 . 2 0 p.m. Resumed Course and Speed of 2nd Light Cruiser
Squadron, but lost sight of them.
From ILO p.m. until 2.0 a.m. on 1st June,
observed continuous flashes of guns to the
Northward.
At daylight, no vessel in sight but visibility low ;
I think the shell which passed through the
Chart House and then exploded must have
affected the Standard Compass, otherwise the
ship must have been in close touch with
2nd Light Cruiser Squadron.
4, 0 a.m. Course North. Nothing in sight. Weather very
misty. Impossible to work up a "dead
reckoning," as Navigating Officer is dead
and his records gone, and the charts in Chart
House badly damaged.
The wireless trunk having been shot away, it
was some considerable time before the main
aerials were connected up ; in the meanwhile
the Battle aerial wo,s connected up and signals
were received.
4.10 a.m. Sighted about one mile off some enemy's vessels,
one of which resembled the " Boon," the
others were too indistinct to make out what
class of vessel they belonged to, they were
steering a southerly course at a high rate of
speed.
In a few seconds the enemy was lost in the fog,
the ship was turned with the object of chasing
and shadowing them, but the existing condi-
tions of weather made this impossible. Course
was therefore shaped for a position where it was
hoped to meet with and join up with the
2nd Light Cruiser Squadron. The Commander-
in-Chief was informed of sighting the enemy.
The Commodore, 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron,
was asked for course and speed of Squadron.
5.30 a.m. Passed a lot of oil fuel and rescued a man on
a piece of wood who turned out to be George
T. A. Parkyn, Stoker 1st class of H.M.S.
" Tipperary," who had been in the water for
about 5 hours, and stated his ship had been
sunk by shell fire at night. (His statement
is enclosed.)
The ship had previous to this passed through a
large number of dead bodies,
6. 0 a.m. Sighted Torpedo Boat Destroyer " Sparrow-
hawk " in a very damaged condition, bows
crumpled up to the Bridge and stern badly
damaged. Destroyer Leader " Marksman "
standing by to take men from her ; helped
" Marksman " by giving her a lee, and
when I parted company with " Marksman "
she was attempting to tow " Sparrowhawk,"
but I saw it was a hopeless case, and an
intercepted signal later stated that " Sparrow-
hawk " had been sunk.
At 8. 5 a.m. Joined the Flag of the Commander-in-Chief.
During the night action the ship was struck by 13 shells,
about half of which did not explode.
I would like to mention the cool behaviour of all Officers and
Men during the time when the 12-in, shell were falling thickly
around the ship by day, and also, when the ship was under
heavy fire at night.

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Details on recommendation, personnel &c. omitted from the Report
as reproduced in the Official Despatches.

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I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

A. C. SCOTT,

Captain.

The Commodore Commanding,

2nd Light Cruiser Squadron.