1737 22 June 1916, HMS Agincourt, North Sea
6th Division concentrated their fire on the three ships emerging from the mist and smoke, only some 14,000 yards away. It was an unequal action, 15 inch super-dreadnoughts against ships that had long past their prime. Hessen was a prime target, stuck on a straight course, her faulty steering being frantically worked on by her panicked crew. Hannover quickly realised that a mistake had been made and turned away, followed by her division mate, the armoured cruiser Roon. It was the only prudent course. Nothing could be done to make life easier for the stricken Hessen against the onrushing British armada. Whilst it was a prudent choice, it was the turn of the Royal Navy to "get lucky". So far in the battle, the Royal Navy gunnery had been nothing to write home about. The British heavy ships had time for only 4-5 broadsides before Hannover and Roon completed their turn and moved back into the smoke screen. By 1737, Roon had completed her turn and moved back under cover, despite the best efforts of Royal Oak and Royal Sovereign, both newly commissioned ships with green crews. Hessen, battered by Marlborough and Revenge, had taken four hits and was badly damaged.
Aboard Agincourt, the gunnery officer prepared to engage. The enemy had crossed through the smoke and he ordered the ship to open fire on them with the 12” guns, of which she had all of 14, controlled by the Gunnery Commander from a position on the foremast, placing him above the smoke and allowing him to see further. The higher you are the better you are able to spot the fall of shot. He saw three salvos, falling all around the second enemy ship. The fourth got her. It must have been a hit a magazine, for there was a tremendous explosion before she sank. Later in the battle they passed the same ship, bottom up.
SMS Hannover had not been hit in the magazine, instead, a single 12 inch shell had penetrated the deck and plunged through to the torpedo tubes to port, detonating the warheads and causing the ship to rapidly fill and turn turtle. Casualties were horrendous due to the very rapidly of the sinking.