In the eastern waters of Scotland, the Grand Fleet of the Royal Navy and the High Seas Fleet of the German Empire were engaged in the largest naval battle in human history. Over two hundred ships were deployed, with more than one hundred thousand personnel participating in this monumental conflict. Giant steel vessels clashed furiously in this expanse of sea.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The colossal ironclads unleashed a relentless barrage, their heavy artillery smashing into each other, aiming to sink the opposing warships. Shells struck the water's surface, sending towering plumes of spray skyward.
The situation on the battlefield was dire for the British Navy. Although the Grand Fleet had pushed its speed to the maximum, it remained under constant bombardment from the 24 capital ships of the two German battle lines.
Particularly vulnerable were the battleships positioned at the rear of the line, trapped in the onslaught from multiple German vessels, their predicament growing increasingly perilous.
Among the unfortunate vessels were the HMS *Canada* and HMS *Hercules*. They found themselves under the assault of the German battleships *Regent Leopold*, *Nassau*, *Westfalen*, *Rheinland*, *Posen*, alongside three *Mackensen*-class battlecruisers and the *Lützow* battlecruiser. This was undoubtedly a calamitous fate for the two British battleships.
The *Canada*, a foreign trade battleship, boasted a full-load displacement of over 30,000 tons and was armed with five twin-mounted 356mm guns. Such firepower was formidable; however, like many foreign trade warships, it suffered from weak armor, with the thickness of its main belt armor measuring only 228mm, turret armor at 254mm, and conning tower armor at a mere 280mm. In the face of German battleship firepower, such defenses were hopelessly inadequate—typical of British battleships which favored heavy artillery over robust armor.
The *Hercules*, the second vessel of the *Giant*-class, weighed in at just over 20,000 tons, equipped with five twin-mounted 305mm guns, yet its armor was equally lacking, with a maximum belt thickness of only 280mm, the same for its turret and conning tower.
With such feeble defenses, the *Canada* and *Hercules* faced overwhelming odds against the might of the German fleet.
"Oh God! What are we to do? The Germans have amassed so many capital ships against us!" the captain of the *Canada* exclaimed, his face paling. The sight of shells continuously striking near his ship was a tremendous psychological strain.
"Boom!"
A thunderous explosion rocked the *Canada*. The captain instinctively grasped the table fixed in the conning tower; otherwise, he would have fallen. However, his complexion had turned ghostly pale. He understood they had taken a hit.
"Report! We've been struck by a German 380mm shell. The entire stern has been obliterated," a staff officer announced.
"Damn it! Initiate damage control at once!" the captain shouted. A 380mm shell was a deadly blow for the inadequately armored *Canada*.
Yet, even before the captain's command could resonate, the *Canada* was struck once more. Shells from the German battlecruisers *Mackensen* and *Prince Friedrich* hit the ill-fated battleship almost simultaneously. Two 380mm shells pierced the *Canada*'s hull, detonating within. The tremendous force obliterated internal compartments, and one shell even severed the ship's keel.
This inflicted catastrophic damage upon the *Canada*. Soon, with a crack, the keel fractured, leading to the ship splitting in two. Within two minutes, the battleship sank beneath the waves, with over a thousand crew members perishing without a trace.
With the *Canada* lost, the *Hercules*, positioned at the rear of the line, came under assault from multiple German battleships. It quickly became evident that the *Hercules* would not withstand the onslaught for long. Within ten minutes, the ship was set ablaze from repeated hits. Flooded with numerous breaches, the *Hercules* met the same fate as the *Canada* and succumbed to the depths.
The sinking of two battleships plunged the Royal Navy into an even more desperate predicament.
Now, only four *Revenge*-class battleships remained, along with the *King George V* and three *Orion*-class battleships. Even these faced perilous odds against the superior German forces.
"Admiral, the situation has turned increasingly unfavorable. With the *Canada* and *Hercules* sunk, we are down to eight battleships, while the enemy still boasts thirty-six capital ships—over four times our number. Surviving until nightfall seems improbable," Rear Admiral Beatty reported, his complexion drained, akin to one who had endured a grave illness.
Admiral Jellicoe nodded solemnly. Although it was only three in the afternoon, just hours remained until darkness fell. For the Royal Navy, those hours promised to be grueling. The German capital ships would continue their relentless bombardment, and survival for that duration appeared exceedingly doubtful.
"Admiral, remaining trapped in this German vice is untenable. We must devise a means to break their encirclement. Only then do we stand a chance of survival," Beatty asserted.
"Are you suggesting we employ our lighter vessels for a torpedo attack?" Admiral Jellicoe inquired.
"Indeed, Admiral. That is our sole option left. It is our only chance for a breakout!" Beatty replied, resolute.
After a moment of contemplation, Admiral Jellicoe ultimately nodded in agreement.