Battle of Jutland

Illustrated talk on the

Battle of Jutland

Everyone has heard of the Battle of Jutland, the most fearsome naval battle in history which lit up the night sky of the North Sea almost 100 years ago.

Over two days, May 31 and June 1, 1916 the British and German fleets of 250 ships slugged it out.

But who won? Both sides claimed victory. We lost more ships and more men but most of the ships we lost were battered and old and, crucially, the German High Seas Fleet never again dared to leave the safety of harbour.

It left Britain master of the seas and slowly the tightening blockade of Germany led to ultimate victory.

The story of the Battle of Jutland will be told in Darwen, at the Library, on the evening of Wednesday, June 1, the centenary of the grand finale to the battle by Steve Irwin, Education Officer at Blackburn Museum and an expert on the Great War and on Jutland in particular.

Pride of place in the Library is held by a magnificent oil painting of the battle by Charles Dixon which was given to Darwen by an anonymous benefactor in memory of the hundreds of local men lost in the war. It was taken to Blackburn Museum several years ago but the Friends of Darwen library had it returned to the town last year.

Steve's illustrated talk begins at 6pm. The Library will close at 5pm and open again at 5.30. Tea and biscuits will be available before the talk which will last about an hour.