HMS Queen Mary: Did More Than Explode at Jutland

Join us as we explore the remarkable story of HMS Queen Mary, one of the most formidable battlecruisers of World War I. Discover how she played a crucial role in the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron, participating in renowned engagements such as the First Battle of Heligoland Bight and the infamous Battle of Jutland. Learn about her impressive armament, including eight 13.5-inch guns, her top speed of 27.5 knots, and the unique features that set her apart from her sister ships, HMS Lion and HMS Princess Royal. Uncover the events that led to her catastrophic destruction at the Battle of Jutland and the role of unsafe ammunition handling. Delve into the naval tactics and strategies of the time, as well as the challenges faced by the crew in this gripping historical account. Don't miss this opportunity to dive into the fascinating history of HMS Queen Mary and her impact on World War I naval warfare.

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[ImportantNavalHistory]

I hope you all enjoy this video! I'd like to hear all of your thoughts on Queen Mary and her career, as it seems her destruction is what most people know her for.

[bobc]

My Great Uncle, George Edward Suffill, served on HMS Queen Mary and was lost at Jutland. I inherited his medals and Death Plaque together with a few photos of him and the the ship. He will not be forgotten.

[Shadrak-jblx]

My uncle, George Herbert Breeden served and died on HMS Queen Mary in 1916. My Mother used tell me about him when I was very young in the early 50's. She knew about the doors being left open and the piling of explosives in gangways and how the ship exploded.
But to be able to see it on here is amazing and I thank you for letting me see something that I had only heard about over 70 years ago.

[georgerobartes]

My Grandpop Bill ( William French ) was a young cook on the QM and one of the lucky 12 that survived . He couldnt recall how he ended up in the water . As a career navy man he went on to serve in other capital ships and was a CPO ( chef ) onboard HMS Ark Royal when torpedoed off Gib in WW2 where fortunately, the crew survived . Grandpop Bill retired to Chatham and lived out his life there amongst fellow RN vets .

[sandpiper]

Well done for producing a video on this ship, she and her crew deserve to be remembered. The ship's navigation officer was Commander Harry Pennell who took part in Captain Scott's second Antarctic expedition 1910-13. He commanded the Terra Nova when Scott was ashore, and is mentioned many times in the diaries of Scott and books written by those who survived - he was clearly very highly regarded. He was still in the ship at the time of her destruction.

[DavGv]

Interesting, thanks. I think you were (very) kind about Beatty. The fact the Queen Elizabeth's got behind was mainly because there was a signaling failure so they turned late, the problem about fire distribution was also caused by a signalling failure and there was another when Beatty turned after the Run South which nearly lost Warspite. There was also a signalling failure at Dogger Bank because of Beatty's desire to grandstand. His flag lieutenant was responsible and after the war Beatty said ' that man caused me to lose three batles' (or words to that effect). He didn't seem to realise he should have made sure his subordinates were up to the job. Of course there were other problems, eg British rangefinders were too short for the ranges the battle was fought at, Evan-Thomas wasn't used to the way Beatty handled his ships which was very different to the way Jellicoe did (and Beatty didn't bother to brief him) and, arguably, battle cruisers were were designed to run down surface raiders not fight in line of battle.

[vincentcondron]

Very nice video good history and lots of detail keep up the very good work

[stuartpeacock]

Your posts along with your confidence and enthusiasm gathers momentum.
You seem to take a genuine interest in a subject many of more advanced years are unaware, disinterested.
People like you are a rare commodity today to take great pains in your research with books many of us have in their collection yet rarely open nowadays.
The internet has dusted off cobwebs, thrown open doors and invited discussion and debate.
May you be encouraged to surge forward whilst you take priority with your studies

[hadial-saadoon]

Well done!
And yes, Massie's book is the go-to reference in my opinion. "Dreadnought" was just as good.

[stirlingmoss]

Beatty was a flash cove and a back stabbing careerist with friends in the highest places. He's also burried in Dingley Church Cemetery, Northants a few graves from my Great Grandfather Frederick

[justin]

The Cats and the British battlecrusiers and Battleships in WW1 and WW2 where such nice looking ships, very good video and channel. Have you considered doing videos on Admirals and Captains or just the crewmen and history of them? Thanks for the great content.

[jdmhz]

great video, thanks for the education

[KWfly]

My Great, Great Uncle was a stoker on this ship, Killed at Jutland.

[briannicholas]

I just discovered your channel with this video on HMS Queen Mary.
I then decided to take a look at some of your other videos, especially your early ones.
You have come a long way in your presentations, congratulations. Your initial videos had a very rushed feeling, and you raced through your narration, a common mistake with young public speakers. This lead to a dufficulty in understanding.
However, you have matured greatly in your presentation, your voice is clear and well annunciated, and you proceed through your narration at a stately pace, allowing the listener to digest what you are saying. Kudos.
You clearly spend time on researching your subject, which is critical in the field of history. You tube is replete with poorly researched history channels. Dont worry about pushing out content, just make the content you do post well researched and well presented. With that you will succeed. And don't worry about the gnit pickers, they delight in complaining about everything ( you prinary language is obviously American English, so not pronouncing the names of German or other foreign ships flawlessly isnt important)
I wish you great success with your channel, and look forward to exploring all the videos you have posted and will post. You've earned a new subscriber today and im sure as more get to know your channel you will grow considerably.

[micksymes]

My great Gratfather was a CPO Stoker on HMS Queen Mary, . His name was Fred Ward, but he served in the RN under the name George Wood. My grandmother did not know of this until she was visited at her home in Portsmouth to be officially advised he had died at Jutland. She subsequently married another stoker who survived WW1 My grandfather was also lost to Gernman action in WW2 when a delayed action bomb detonated killing 29 people in 1941 not far from HM Dockyard portsmouth. The family home was also destroyed by bombing.

[wildcolonialman]

Fabulous effort and subscribed. Very informative. Especially knowing New Zealand was taking part. Been a New Zealander and typing from. It seems to this day, this battle on the high seas, is contentious as to who won the Day. A battle that did not need to take place, but politics said it had to take place. Like the Bismarck, it did not have to sail, but politics demanded the ship set sail.

[TheRealRedAce]

The lesson was not fully learned, as the loss of HMS Hood shows in WW2. There the unsafe ammunition stowage was due to her not having a proper refit earlier due to her busy schedule.

Only two British ships took part in all four battles between German and British fleets: HMS Birmingham and HMS Southampton, both light cruisers. A young naval Lt. on the Southampton, Steven King-Hall wrote about the actions in his book: North Sea Diary 1914-1917, now in reprint.

[joewalker]

You, Greg's Airplanes and Automobiles, Armoured Carriers, WWII US Bombers and Skynea History are a refreshing change to the usual fanboy infested military history channels out there.
Stay humble.
Humility is a virtue to be respected.

Si vis pacem, para bellum

[gerrymcdonald]

27.5 knots is 32 mph! For a battle ship built in 1911?