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As a member of Rear Admiral Sir Robert Keith Arbuthnot's First Cruiser Squadron, the Black Prince participated in the Battle of Jutland, where she was sunk with heavy loss of life. The circumstances under which she sank were mysterious for some years after. During the battle, the ship lost contact with the rest of the British fleet, sending off a wireless signal at 8:48 to report a submarine sighting. As the British had lost contact and did not see the ship destroyed, they were unsure as to whether a submarine or surface ship was responsible for sinking the Black Prince. Recent historians, however, hold to the German account of the ship's sinking. Separated from the rest of the British fleet, the Black Prince approached the German lines at approximately midnight. Realizing his error, Bonham ordered his crew to turn around, but it was too late. The German battleship Th?ringen fixed the Black Prince in its spotlights and opened fire. Up to five other German ships, most of them within 1000 yards, joined in the bombardment; the Black Prince was sunk within 15 minutes.
16 Freemasons were amongst those who were lost in the Black Prince. GRIER William James Boatswain HALLIDAY Charles Frederick Lieutenant LEMON Herbert Sidney Electrical Artificer MIDDLETON Albert Artificer MORRELL William Anthony Gunner PAUL FE Chief Cook PIKE William George Henry Engineer Artificer. In total 67 Brethren lost their lives at Jutland |
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