Official Despatches Page007
7. SINKING OF ENEMY SHIPS
Enclosure No. 4 in H.F. Letter No. 1396, dated 18th June 1916.
SINKING OF ENEMY SHIPS.

Battleships or Battle Cruisers.
6.50 p.m.
31 May, '16.

1 Battleship of "KONIG" class.




CERTAIN.
Chief Witness Mate Arthur G. Boyce, " Benbow " Station G.C.T.—8 power glasses.
At 6.40 p.m., 3 " KONIGS " then being in sight the second "KONIG" was seen to be heavily hit, then to turn 16 points to starboard, the original third ship passing her. He saw this ship settle by the stern, his attention being called to the angle her mainmast was making to the horizon.
Witness then gave a very good description of a ship sinking first by the stern and then capsizing to port, a large amount of smoke and steam coming from foremost funnel. (When last seen she had not actually disappeared.)
Confirmed by 6.33 p.m., report of "THUNDERER," (ship in this case designated as a "KAISER"). Hit by "THUNDERER" very heavily. Ship ablaze fore and aft. Talks of two ships overlapping each other,
.
Copy of " THUNDERER'S " report :—




CERTAIN.
Two " KAISER " class were
now overlapping each other. Fire was opened, 2nd salvo seen to hit, ditto 3rd. Enemy was blazing for whole length of quarter deck. Enemy firing salvoes at first came down to slow fire with one turret.
6.50p.m. (approx.)
1 enemyship in line blown up.




CERTAIN.
Lieutenant-Commander George B. Hartford, H.M.S " MARNE."
An enemy ship of the line was seen to blow up at 6 50 p.m., (20 minutes after " INVINCIBLE " blew up). Flame was of a purple colour, otherwise explosion was similar to " INVINCIBLE." He had no doubt whatever that ship sank
Confirmed by Lieutenant Charles C. D. Lees, H.M.S. " MORNING STAR," and Sub-Lieutenant Francis D. Butt, H.M.S. " .MAGIC." Also by report from H.M.S. " BARHAM."
Probably all above are the same ship.
7.30 pm. 31 May', '16. 
1 enemy Battleship or Battlecruiser




PROBABLE.
At 7.10, " MARLBOROUGH " opened fire on a ship of "KONIG class of three, and fired 14 salvos. Distinct, hits were seen.
At 7.19, ship turned out of the line very low in the water aft and sinking and object was shifted to the left hand ship.
.
1 enemy Battle Crui.«er.
PROBABLE.
This Officer was in torpedo control tower and was watching action carefully. At 7.36 p.m. he saw the second Battle Cruiser, apparently " DERFFLINGER " from silhouette, on fire after being hit by a salvo. Water came up to quarter deck, then over funnels, and he saw the water close over her. The after turret was the last to fire.
" BENBOW " confirms this to a certain extent by talking of a ship with two masts and two finmels showing above water at 7.35 p.m.
Also reported by 2nd Battle Squadron, rear division.
7.20 p.m. 31May.
1 enemy ship.
" MALAYA." One enemy ship very low in the water dropped astern and, according to two Officers, she suddenly disappeared without an explosion.
The three foregoing reports possibly all refer to the same ship.
0.15 a.m. 1 June.
1 ship of DEUTSCHLAND Class.


CERTAIN.
At midnight, " GARLAND " in company with " ARDENT," " FORTUNE " and " AMBUSCADE " sighted a line of German Battleships on starboard bow. Leading Battleship (one of " DEUTSCHLAND " class) opened fire.
" GARLAND " turned to port and fired a torpedo at this ship. Range about 800yards. Torpedo hit and was seen to explode abreast of the two foremost funnels. Ship took up a heavy list to port. Confirmed by "ARDENT" as to time, enemy leading ship switching on lights, etc., Commanding Officer states he fired a torpedo at leading enemy ship from a very favourable position 2,000  yards on her port beam Torpedo hit, explosion seen, ship's foremost searchlights went out and she turned to starboard.
" AMBUSCADE " fired at centre ship and observed red flash and searchlights go out.
"MALAYA" confirms this and felt 3 explosions between 0. 15 and 0.47 a.m. and at end of last attack a brilliant flare lit up the whole sky.
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