second ship which was lost to sight in the mist after a few rounds had been fired. It was difficult to be certain of the class of vessel on which fire was being directed, but one or more of the enemy’s battle cruisers had undoubtedly dropped astern by 7 P.M., as a result of the heavy punishment they had received from our battle cruisers and the 5th Battle Squadron, and were engaged by ships of the Battle Fleet. [L] The _Calliope_ reported at 7.1 P.M.: “Two enemy battleships, ‘König’ class, engaged by _Orion’s_ division, observed to be heavily on fire.” Both at this period and earlier in the action, the ships of the 1st Battle Squadron were afforded more opportunities for effective fire than the rest of the Battle Fleet, and the fullest use was made of the opportunities. This squadron, under the able command of Sir Cecil Burney, was known by me to be highly efficient, and very strong proof was furnished during the Jutland battle, if proof were needed, that his careful training had borne excellent results. The immunity of the ships of the squadron from the enemy’s fire, whilst they were inflicting on his vessels very severe punishment, bears very eloquent testimony to the offensive powers of the squadron. [Illustration: APPROXIMATE POSITIONS OF SHIPS OF THE GRAND FLEET At 7. 15 P.M. 31st May 1916. _Probable approximate course of the German Battle Fleet, as evidenced by the positions of the ships engaged at the time, shown in Red._ The Battle Cruisers and 3rd Light Cruiser Squadron, have crossed from the port to the starboard bow of the Battle Fleet. Note. Their battle station is between 5 and 6 miles slightly on the engaged bow of the Van of the Battle Fleet. The 2nd Battle Squadron is forming ahead of the Iron Duke. The 1st Battle Squadron is forming astern of the Iron Duke. The 4th Light Cruiser Squadron is getting into its battle-station on the Van of the Battle Fleet. The 4th and 11th Flotillas are moving towards their battle stations. The 1st Light Cruiser Squadron is coming up from the rear of the Battle Fleet to join the Battle Cruisers. The Minotaur and Cruisers are trying to get up to their battle stations ahead of the Battle Fleet.] At 7.5 P.M. the whole battle line was turned together three more points to starboard to close the range further; immediately afterwards two ships ahead of the _Iron Duke_ reported a submarine a little on the port bow; at 7.10 P.M. a flotilla of enemy destroyers, supported by a cruiser, was observed to be approaching on a bearing S. 50 W. from the _Iron Duke_, and the Fleet was turned back to south in order to turn on to the submarine and bring the ships in line ahead ready, for any required manœuvre. A heavy fire was opened on the destroyers at ranges between 10,000 and 6,500 yards. At the latter range the destroyers turned and passed towards the rear of the line in a heavy smoke screen. One destroyer was seen by several observers to sink from the effects of the gunfire.