Written for January-February 1995 Issue.
A
Naval Wargame:
The
Battle of the Balearic Islands , 1904
by Bruno Just
%2Bin%2B1908.jpg) |
| HMS Duncan |
Following
the Battle of Cape Tres Forcas, fought in the first hours of 1904, (see
DESPATCH, Vol.17, No.5), the two antagonists, Great Britain and France, squared
off, again, there having been no outright winner and both having been
embarrassed by the result. You no doubt recall, dear reader, that Entente
Cordiale was still far off, in early 1904, and the two Great Powers were in
disagreement over their protectorates in Africa .
Neither side wanted nor was prepared for an all-out war, but merely wished to
elbow the other off their end of the bench. At the naval engagement off the
Moroccan coast, near Cape Tres Forcas,[1]
the Royal Navy took more punishment than it gave, losing a battleship in a
magazine explosion (shades of Jutland). The fight was, nevertheless, deemed as
being inconclusive. Subsequently, the two fleets were refitted, reinforcements
included, and then despatched in a hunt for one another.
Naturally,
after Tres Forcas, the Fleet Street Press hailed the result as a British
victory over the uncouth
French, the truth being a surmountable obstacle to the
clever journalist, because the French Navy had not achieved their objective of
discouraging the British. Rear-Admiral Sir Malcolm MacEntaire, K.B.E., D.S.O.
& Bar, was immediately promoted to Vice-Admiral, and given command of the
Western Mediterranean Station. (One must keep in mind that one's victory on the
battlefield - or on the seas - was not
the sole, nor most important criterion for promotion in the British Senior
Service. Position counted for much, as did good breeding, good connections and
a good nose for wine). Sir Malcolm's Second-in-Command, Rear-Admiral Commanding
Gibraltar Squadron, Donald, Viscount Islay,
K.C.B.E., D.S.O. and (very well stocked) Bar was greatly disappointed at this
turn of events. Viscount Islay knew, in his own mind, at least, and without the
slightest shadow of a doubt, that he, being a lord, was eminently more
qualified for the post than a mere knight. Sir Malcolm was even touted for the
plum South Pacific Station, based on the West coast of South
America . He would, indeed, be despatched there, if he had another
such victory over the French.
 |
| HMS London |
 |
| HMS Drake |
Spring
was in the air. The green grass nudged gleefully through the brown soddy earth.
Every European stream had enthusiastically thrown off its mantle of ice and
become a torrent swollen with the melted snows, racing to the deep blue sea at
the speed of a steam locomotive. Spring! Ah! the fragrance of a field of
flowers! Liberating Spring! Bodies imprisoned inside bodices and woollen
waistcoats finally freely exposed themselves to the natural heat of the sun and
cleansing sweet water. And every youthful heart was bursting with passion for
life and directed at the opposite sex, (except for one or two illogical
variants). The biological necessity was paramount and drew human beings
together, two by two, like the animals to Noah's arc, to romanticise and
consummate an activity simply physical, that of Eros, made complicated by the
psychological, Psyche.
In
the vicinity of two uninhabited islands off the Balearics, south of Majorca,
the huge, mechanical hearts of
great iron men-of-war throbbed out a symphony -
a warlike clank and hiss of the age of steam, as two pre-Dreadnought[2]
fleets attracted each other to consummate a different ritual, that of Thanatos.
 |
| HMS Hermes |
The
fleets looked magnificent skiing through the glass-calm sea at nine o'clock of
the morning. The coal-black hulls set off the yellow brass fittings and muzzle
rings of their numerous breech-loading cannon, ensconced in steel casemates.
Their virgin white superstructures gleamed in the sun. Ochre-yellow funnels,
ringed in red in the French Navy, poured forth billowing grey-black smoke, as
they increased revolutions sufficient for a cruising speed the envy of the
sailing men-of-war of the previous century: twelve knots.
 |
| HMS Hyacinth |
Sailing
around the Western side of the Northern island, on a heading of 150o, the Royal
Navy steamed in two divisions, in line astern. The starboard line included the
battleships "Duncan" (Fleet Flagship of Sir Malcolm MacEntaire)[3]
and "London France
Having
spied the French rear, disappearing in a curtain of coal smoke toward the
South, the delight aboard
the British Flagship was great. Immediately, Sir
Malcolm gave the signal for a general chase. "After the fox!" was
hoisted to be read by the Boatswains of the fleet to the Officers of the
Bridge. This was followed by: "Maintain 12 knots and formation."
 |
| FS Suffren |
Lord
Islay was sitting on a canvas chair in the stern of his Flagship, sipping his
first Scotch of the day and quietly contemplating the white wake made by H.M.S.
"Drake", when a young, out-of-breath Midshipman approached him at a
gallop with the news. Milord observed the youth's o'erhasty approach and sighed
in anticipation of having his quietude interrupted, even ended.
 |
| FS Charlemagne |
"Sir! The French
has been sighted, Sir! The Captain sends his compliments, Sir." It was as
he had thought. Donald, Viscount Islay, fished out his fob-watch from the well
of his waist-coat pocket. The sun reflected on the gold causing the Midshipman
to whince. O-nine-thirty.
"At what
distance?" he enquired.
"20,000 yards,
Sir," was the reply.
"Then, my boy, we
have time for another round. Give my compliments to the Captain and tell him
that I shall join him on the bridge, presently." The young cadet
retreated. Lord Islay held his crystal glass up to the sun as if admiring the
golden colour of its liquid contents. The sun-light refracted through the
crystal in myriad rainbow hues. He seemed to obtain much ocular pleasure from
the effect. Self-congratulatory pleasure came, too, from his apposite resposte,
clearly reminiscent of Sir Francis Drake, at bowls, waiting for the Spanish
Armada to slowly, tack up the Maniche[12].
Synchronistically, the Admiral's command was the 1903-commissioned, armoured
cruiser "Drake". Five hundred and thirty-three feet long, and capable
of over 25 knots, "Drake" was the largest and fastest Navy vessel
afloat, apart from the torpedo boat destroyers. At 14,150 tons, it was heavier
than the "Duncan " class of battleship
by 150 tons and was crewed by 900 men, exceeding the "Duncans
The
order for the French force was: "Turn in succession 90o. Increase
speed to 18 knots." The French sailed
majestically around the South Island and then steamed North parallel to the Royal
Navy steaming South. As they drew closer, the big calibres boomed, chordite
smoke rendering the ships invisible from time to time. At a range of 11,000
yards, the shells were plummeting down at a steep angle when the "Duncan Duncan
 |
| FS Gloire |
Lord
Islay had his chance: he was now fleet commander! He unleashed the Torpedo Boat
Destroyers and light cruisers, keeping a tight rein over his remaining
battleship working in tandem with "Drake". Simultaneously, Amiral
Marin gave his light forces their head as well. With heavy calibre shells
passing overhead, the torpedo vessels made passes at each other and threatened
the major units. At the end of the day, the Royal Navy had lost 1 battleship
and 3 destroyers, while the French had had 2 destroyers sunk and 1 battleship
badly damaged and the rest of the fleet requiring months of repairs.
Once
more, the fight was inconclusive. There was nothing for it but to lick one's
wounds and come out to do battle at a later date. Sir Malcolm was temporarily
posted to the South Pacific and Amiral Marin was given an important desk post
monitoring barge traffic on the River Seine - which he loved, as it gave him
ample opportunity to visit the Moulin Rouge. Donald, Viscount Islay, on the
other hand was given the onerous task of refitting and commanding the Royal
Navy's West Mediterranean Station.
_______________________________
[1]
You won't find this naval action recorded in the history books as this chapter
was deemed too dishonourable for two honourable nations, who became firm
friends a mere decade after, to record. This is nothing new; many things have
been kept out of history books. Public scrutiny of national affairs is a modern
prerogative seldom honoured, in any case.
[2]
Naturally, they did not know that they were pre-Dreadnoughts and that they
would spawn the Dreadnought battleship, of 1906, and a useless naval arms race
which would not fulfil anyone's expectations..
[3]
John McIntyre .
[4]
Don McIntyre .
[5]
Sean Matthews.
[6]
Ben Woolmer .
[7]
Bruno Just.
[8]
Mark Brown-Longhurst.
[9]
Brett Kvisle.
[10]
Steve Woolmer .
[11]
Dr Hiew Chee-Yan.
[12]
It is known as the English Channel only in
British atlases. They do share this sleeve of water with the French, you know.
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