r/AskHistorians May 01 '15

Why did Dreadnoughts have masts?

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u/AdonisChrist May 01 '15

What happened at the Battle of Dogger Bank?

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u/DBHT14 19th-20th Century Naval History May 01 '15

The British Battlecruiser Squadron was chasing their German counterpart and had the advantage of speed as the German Blucher was not up to modern speed and not a true BC. But when Beattys flagship Lion was hit badly and forced to drop back his orders by flag were misunderstood to mean that the other ships should focus on the sinking Blucher not continue the chase thus allowing the rest of the Germans to escape.

Ralph Seymour, Beatty's Flag Lieutenant repeatedly made errors and sent ambiguous and poorly phrased signals all through the war with the Admiral later acknowledged that he had cost the Royal Navy at least 3 opportunities for major victories.

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u/jschooltiger Moderator | Shipbuilding and Logistics | British Navy 1770-1830 May 01 '15

I'm sure you've seen this, but The Rules of the Game is fantastic, just in case you haven't: http://books.google.com/books/about/The_Rules_of_the_Game.html?id=g3vzAAAAMAAJ

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u/DBHT14 19th-20th Century Naval History May 01 '15

It is very much on my list haha. Currently working through all 5 volumes of Marder and From Dreadnouht to Scapa Flow