Ship more or less on even keel as they had flooded starboard side to bring her level. No water on so could not get a wash. Cleaned up decks and flats in forenoon and then passed another hawser out to “Indomitable” for towing purposes. Prepared to out collision mat and got everything ready for getting boats out by hand in case ship went under. Water supposed to be gaining about 20 tons an hour forward. Pumps still hard at work. All our mess stools and table had been taken to block up shell holes etc. and so had to make ourselves as comfortable as we could on the deck. Piped down in afternoon. Quarters and prayers at 4 o’clock. Skipper addressed ships Company and congratulated them on the way they had behaved during the Action. Said we had sunk one German Battle Cruiser. Hope it’s more. Especially congratulated the engine room department on their fine work. Heard buss that Grand Fleet had cut off the High Sea Fleet but nothing official. Expect salvage tugs at any moment. Hope to reach Rosyth at 11.p.m. Shall be glad when we are safe in harbour as ship not quite safe yet. Search lights still out of action. Still don’t know any particulars of action. Hope nothing about ‘Lion’s” state in London papers.

January 25th 1915 (a)

January 25th 1915 (b)

Action Stations at 7.0.a.m. Sighted enemy on port bow about 7.45. Gave chase. Enemy making away. Engine department did fine work enabling us to reduce distance from 15 – 8 miles in 3/4 of an hour. Started firing at 9.0.am. 4″ guns crews returning. Very anxious time on mess deck. Could feel shells hitting us and ship trembling but did not know what damage was done. ‘Lion’ had five ships firing at her. Attacked rearmost ship and fought them one by one until foremost ship was reached. About 11.15.a.m. terrific bump. Engine stopped suddenly and ship began to heel slowly to port. Thought all was up. Fires reported aft of foreward. Mess deck stiffling with fumes. Had to soak our handkerchieves in water and hold them over our mouths to prevent fumes going down. Then firing ceased. 4″ guns crews closed up. Did not fire. “Lion” out of action shell having pierced port feed tank. Lovely to get into fresh air again. Action hell while it lasted. Destroyer “Attack” came alongside and took Admiral Beatty and his staff to “Priness Royal” as other ships were still carrying on the action. 

Zeppelin appeared over destroyers which were picking up survivors of “Blucher” and dropped bombs. “Lion” only steaming about 10 knots. Bake house ships galley blown to smithereens. Shell pierced Body-room & which was flooded. Plate taken clean out of port side under after 4 in deck and numerous other hits. “Lion” very fortunate in casualties. No one killed. About 14 wounded 8 seriously. Most serious case left trainder of “A” turret. Taken in tow by “Indomitable” after dinner. Working hand at pumps but water gaining on us. Had good escort of destroyers 30 or 40 round us and so pretty safe from submarine attack. Action broken off and other ships of squadron passed us on their way back to port during the afternoon. All Search Lights out of action and so had all night in.

January 24th 1915 (a)

January 24th 1915 (b)

January 24th 1915 (c)

January 24th 1915 (d)

Holy stoned decks. Lovely day. Boat keeper of sailing pinnace to take 1st part of port ashore *. Went to sea with Battle Fleet at 6.30.p.m. Fine sight. Battle Fleet with steam up and deep red sky behind them. Expect to go into action tomorrow. Had 1st Watch. *

January 23 1915

* There is uncertainty about the ‘part’ of ‘port’ translation here. If anyone can enlighten us, that would be most helpful. Thanks!

Submarine Attack Stations in forenoon & prepared to get out boats by hand. Signalman fell from bridge to conning tower and broke arm leg and jaw. Optional landing party in afternoon. Did not go but stopped on board to write letters. Duty Searchlight crew. Had to sleep under fore shelter deck.

January 22nd 1915

Arrived Rosyth. Coaled ship 1140 tons. Told off for hospital party and so worked on No 2 dump instead of in Collier. Very good coaling. Started at 7:30.a.m. and finished 12.0.p.m. Hospital party piped to clean at 12.10. Had no time for dinner as boat left at 12.30. Took Mishipman Hartley to Ambulance at end of jetty. Finished by 2 o’clock and as boat was not fetching us until 5 o’clock, had the afternoon to ourselves. Hospital Party consisted of Jock, 2 Pacey’s, Calia, Jarrat, Selous, Dalton, Plowman and myself. Had 1st pint of beer for 5 months at Navy House. Very good. Went for walk and had tea in Queensferry. Returned to ship at 5:30. Had yarn with Harvey in telephone exchange from 9.30 – 11.15.

January 21st 1915

January 21st 1915 (b)

Had middle Watch. 4″ day action firing in forenoon. 6 rounds per gun. Our gun only fired 3 rounds, the others misfired. Reason unaccountable. Piped down in afternoon. Captain had 4″ Day Action crews up under fore shelter deck after tea and advised them re firing. Expect to return to harbour tonight. Had 1st Watch.

January 20th 1915

Had morning Watch. Closed up at action stations at 4.15.a.m. Breakfast at 8.30. Zeppelin sighted on horizon about 8.50, but well out of range (about 24 miles off). Aeroplane also appeared coming towards us at 8250 yeards. Opened fire with 3 inch aerial guns but could not reach him. “B” Turret let rip with shrapnel. Burst under machine and concussion made it drop somewhat and airman promptly made off home. Nothing else doing. Light Cruisers & destroyers closed in at 10.30 and we secured at 11 o’clock. Cleaned flats and piped down in afternoon. Had 1st Dog Watch. 

January 19th 1915

Turned out at 6. 30. Still Cook of Mess. Sea very choppy & uncomfortable motion. Frightened of disasterous results but nothing doing. Sub Calibre firing in afternoon. Submarine gun’s crew from 2 – 3. Expect to go into to-morrow at 7 o’clock. Last dog Watch.

January 18th 1915

Cook of Mess. Church in forenoon. Landing Party in afternoon. Went for nice walk around Queens ferry. Very nice bright day. Went to Service in evening. Put to sea at 10 o’clock. Had 1st Watch. 

January 17th 1915

January 17th 1915 b

Holy stoned decks for first time since joining up. Went ashore for landing party in afternoon. Cook of Mess to-morrow with Jack. 

January 16th 1915