Shortly after 5.55 p.m. some of the cruisers ahead, under Rear-Admirals Herbert L. Heath, M.V.O., and Sir Robert Arbuthnot, Bt., M.V.O., were seen to be in action, and reports received show that _Defence_, flagship, and _Warrior_, of the First Cruiser Squadron, engaged an enemy light-cruiser at this time. She was subsequently observed to sink.
At 6 p.m. _Canterbury_, which ship was in company with the Third Battle-cruiser Squadron, had engaged enemy light-cruisers which were firing heavily on the torpedo-boat destroyer _Shark_, _Acasta_, and _Christopher_; as a result of this engagement the _Shark_ was sunk.
At 6 p.m. vessels, afterwards seen to be our battle-cruisers, were sighted by _Marlborough_ bearing before the starboard beam of the battle fleet.
At the same time the Vice-Admiral Commanding, Battle-cruiser Fleet, reported to me the position of the enemy battle-cruisers, and at 6.14 p.m. reported the position of the enemy battle fleet.
At this period, when the battle fleet was meeting the battle-cruisers and the Fifth Battle Squadron, great care was necessary to ensure that our own ships were not mistaken for enemy vessels.
[Sidenote: Battle Fleet in line of battle.]
I formed the battle fleet in line of battle on receipt of Sir David Beatty's report, and during deployment the fleets became engaged. Sir David Beatty had meanwhile formed the battle-cruisers ahead of the battle-fleet.
[Sidenote: Commanders of the divisions of the Battle Fleet.] The divisions of the battle fleet were led by:
The Commander-in-Chief. Vice-Admiral Sir Cecil Burney, K.C.B., K.C.M.G. Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Jerram, K.C.B. Vice-Admiral Sir Doveton Sturdee, Bt., K.C.B., C.V.O., C.M.G. Rear-Admiral Alexander L. Duff, C.B. Rear-Admiral Arthur C. Leveson, C.B. Rear-Admiral Ernest F. A. Gaunt, C.M.G.
At 6.16 p.m. _Defence_ and _Warrior_ were observed passing down between the British and German Battle Fleets under a very heavy fire. _Defence_ disappeared, and _Warrior_ passed to rear disabled.
It is probable that Sir Robert Arbuthnot, during his engagement with the enemy's light-cruisers and in his desire to complete their destruction, was not aware of the approach of the enemy's heavy ships, owing to the mist, until he found himself in close proximity to the main fleet, and before he could withdraw his ships they were caught under a heavy fire and disabled. It is not known when _Black Prince_ of the same squadron, was sunk, but a wireless signal was received from her between 8 and 9 p.m.