The Grand Fleet, 1914-1916 : $b its creation, development and workJellicoe, John Rushworth
History
The Grand Fleet, 1914-1916 : $b its creation, development and work
Jellicoe, John Rushworth
Great Britain. Royal Navy; Jutland, Battle of, 1916; World War, 1914-1918 -- Naval operations
The attack of the British destroyers was carried out with great
gallantry and determination, and having frustrated the enemy’s torpedo
attack on the 3rd Battle Cruiser Squadron, Commander Loftus Jones
turned his division to regain his position on our battle cruisers.
At this moment three German vessels came into sight out of the mist
and opened a heavy fire, further disabling the _Shark_ and causing
many casualties on board; Commander Loftus Jones was amongst those
wounded. Lieut.-Commander J. O. Barron, commanding the _Acasta_, came
to the assistance of the _Shark_, but Commander Loftus Jones refused
to imperil a second destroyer, and directed the _Acasta_ to leave him.
The _Shark_ then became the target for the German ships and destroyers.
Commander Loftus Jones, who was assisting to keep the only undamaged
gun in action, ordered the last torpedo to be placed in the tube and
fired; but whilst this was being done the torpedo was hit by a shell
and exploded, causing many casualties. Those gallant officers and men
in the _Shark_ who still survived, continued to fight the only gun left
in action, the greatest heroism being exhibited. The captain was now
wounded again, his right leg being taken off by a shell; but he still
continued to direct the fire, until the condition of the _Shark_ and
the approach of German destroyers made it probable that the ship would
fall into the hands of the enemy, when he gave orders for her to be
sunk, countermanding this order shortly afterwards on realising that
her remaining gun could still be fought. Shortly afterwards she was hit
by two torpedoes, and sank with her colours flying. Only six survivors
were picked up the next morning by a Danish steamer. In recognition of
the great gallantry displayed, the whole of the survivors were awarded
the Distinguished Service Medal. Their names are: W. C. R. Griffin,
Petty Officer; C. Filleul, Stoker Petty Officer; C. C. Hope, A.B.;
C. H. Smith, A.B.; T. O. G. Howell, A.B.; T. W. Swan, Stoker.
At this point it is well to turn to the proceedings of our advanced
cruiser line, which at 5 P.M. was about 16 miles ahead of the Battle
Fleet, the latter being at that time in Lat. 57.24 N., Long. 5.12 E.,
steering S.E. by S. at 20 knots. It should be noted that, owing to
decreasing visibility, which was stated in reports from the cruisers to
be slightly above six miles, the cruisers on the starboard flank had
closed in and were about six miles apart by 5.30 P.M. The 3rd Battle
Cruiser Squadron was about 16 miles due east of the advanced cruiser
line, but was steering more to the southward on a converging course at
a speed of about five knots faster.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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