it
concealed the capital ships of Von Hipper and Von Scheer, concealed
also their destroyers, and possibly a stretch of water strewn with
mines laid out by the retreating enemy. It must not be forgotten,
however, that the British were between the German fleet and its base
when they ceased the offensive for the night, and that only a few
hours, in that high latitude, separate darkness from dawn.

With daylight, which was due by two o'clock or thereabouts, and with
the lifting of the fog, Jellicoe reports that he searched to the
northward and found no enemy. The following day, June 2, 1916, his
fleet was back in port taking account of its losses, which were
undeniably great, though whether or not they were greater than those
of the enemy, only the future can prove.

[Illustration: PLATE VIII. 10:00 P.M. Darkness and Fog. British Forces
heading off to Southward to avoid attack during darkness and to keep
between German Fleet and its Base. Protecting rear with Destroyers
and Light Cruisers.]

CHAPTER XII

SOME SECONDARY FEATURES OF THE BATTLE

One of the most inexplicable incidents of the day occurred as
Jellicoe's fleet approached the battle area and shortly before the
leading ship of his column passed through the opening in Beatty's
column as already described. The four armored cruisers, _Duke of
Edinburgh_, _Defence_, _Warrior_, and _Black Prince_, under Rear
Admiral Arbuthnot, were in company with Jellicoe, but separated from
his main force by several miles. These ships were lightly armed and
very lightly armored, and had absolutely no excuse for taking part in
the main battle. Yet they now appeared, somewhat in advance of the
main fleet and to the westward of it, standing down ahead of
Evan-Thomas's division of battleships, which, as has been explained,
had dropped back to allow Jellicoe to pass ahead of them. As Arbuthnot
appeared from the mist, several German ships opened on him at short
range, and within a very few moments three of his four ships were
destroyed. The _Defence_ and _Black Prince_ were sunk immediately. The
_Warrior_ was so badly damaged that she sank during the night while
trying to make port. The _Duke of Edinburgh_ escaped.

Another incident belonging to this phase of the battle was the jamming
of the steering gear of the _Warspite_, of Admiral Evan-Thomas's
division of dreadnoughts. Apparently the helm jammed when in the
hard-over position, and the ship for some time ran around in