David Beatty

Profession: British Admiral of the Fleet

Nationality:

Biography: Beatty commanded the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron at the Battle of Jutland in 1916, during which he is reported to have said "there seems to be something wrong with our bloody ships today" after two of them had exploded within half an hour during the battle.

He is also remembered for always wearing his cap at a jaunty angle.

Born: January 17, 1871
Birthplace: Nantwich, Cheshire, England
Star Sign: Capricorn

Died: March 12, 1936 (aged 65)
Cause of Death: Heart failure

Articles and Photos

Battle of Jutland
HMS Invincible on fire after being struck by shells from SMS Lützow and SMS Derfflinger
May 31, 1916

Historical Events

1886-05-15 British sailor David Beatty is promoted to midshipman
1890-05-14 British sailor David Beatty is promoted to sub-lieutenant
1892-08-25 British naval officer David Beatty is promoted to lieutenant
1896-06-03 British naval officer David Beatty is seconded to the Egyptian government and appointed second in command of the river flotilla
1898-11-15 British naval officer David Beatty promoted to commander after Sudan Campaign
1899-04-20 David Beatty is appointed executive officer of the HMS Barfleur, a small battleship and flagship of the China Station
1900-06-11 David Beatty and 150 men from HMS Barfleur land as part of a force of 2,400 defending Tientsin from 15,000 Chinese troops plus Boxers
1900-11-08 British naval officer David Beatty takes part in the successful relief of the naval brigade at Tientsin during the Boxer Rebellion and is promoted to captain
1902-06-02 British naval officer David Beatty is appointed captain of the cruiser HMS Juno
1910-01-01 British naval officer David Beatty is promoted to rear-admiral
1913-03-01 David Beatty becomes Rear-Admiral Commanding the Royal Navy's 1st Battlecruiser Squadron
1915-08-09 British naval officer David Beatty is confirmed in the rank of vice-admiral
1916-05-31 Battle of Jutland: Largest naval battle of World War I between the British Grand Fleet and the German High Seas Fleet which killed 8,645 in an inconclusive battle but strategic British victory. German fleet never puts to sea again in WWI.
1916-05-31 HMS Invincible explodes after taking fire during the Battle of Jutland, killing 1026 officers including Rear-Admiral Hood - only 6 crew members survive
1919-01-01 Battle of Jutland British naval commander David Beatty is promoted to full admiral
1919-05-01 British naval officer David Beatty is promoted to Admiral of the Fleet
1919-10-18 David Beatty is created 1st Earl Beatty, Viscount Borodale, and Baron Beatty of the North Sea and Brooksby
1919-11-01 British Admiral David Beatty becomes First Sea Lord

Quotes by David Beatty

"There seems to be something wrong with our bloody ships today" - World War I