Battle of the Icelandic Coast
Now scattered, the Dutch Fleet had a task ahead of them to reorganise and push Westwards once more. The night was spent with the two side's navies reorganising and preparing for what was likely going to be the battle of their life times the following day. Dutch Torpedo Boats spent the night searching through the darkness for the allied force, but to no avail. As first light broke on the 13th, Vice-Admiral Von Hipper was awoken to the news that the Angolo-Portugese task force had been located and were moving to engage them at all speed. Von Hipper initially was caught off guard by the level of aggression being shown by the weaker allied Task Force and spent precious time trying to work out his response to this. The battle opened with the NRP Evora's 7 massive turrets cutting through the cool sea air. As the shells fell alarmingly close the the SMS Von der Tann, Von Hipper realised with horror why the Porugese commander was being so aggressive. He has the Dutch out ranged. Without hesitation, the order was given for the Dutch task force to move into range and engage with Anoglo-Portugese fleet, but already the allied Task Force has begun to menovour away as the Evora's gun were reloaded. For hours this cat and mouse game was played, with the Evora firing and retreating whilst it's screens and the Vasco de Gama pushing away any attempts for lighter vessels to draw closer to the Task force. The first hit of the day was landed at 14:57 by the SMS Seydlitz though, knocking out on of the Vasco de Gama's main batteries. Though salvo after salvo was exchanged, little damage was actually caused as neither side could seem to land a crucial hit. At one point a shot from the Evora blew through a section of the superstructure, but the damage was minimal and few sailors were hurt or killed. As the light began to fade and both sides disengaged, Von Hipper received news that 5 British Cruisers had been sighted approached from the East. Von Hipper was furious, he had been out menovoused by a far smaller fleet commanded by a far smaller and less important nation. That evening he confirmed with his officers on the Bridge of the SMS Seydlitz, he was delivered news that sent a chill down his spine. Vice-Admiraal Wentholt's had managed to succeed in his part of the operation, but reported that his scouting mission had sighted the main British Fleet making for Von-Hipper with all speed from the South East. The actions of the Portugese now became clear, they had held him in place and tied him down with the threat of the now identified HMS Agincourt, clearly sold to the Portugese. Von-Hipper was now caught. To his West was the Portugese and the Evora, which outclassed him. To his South East steam the Home Fleet, likely under the command of the very able Admiral Sir John Jellicoe. He had few options before him that were good. Von Hipper made his choice and gave the order.
Rear-Admiral Arthur Christian stood on the deck of HMS Minotaur, sipping a warm cup of tea. His 5 Cruisers of the 1st Raiding Squadron had arrived late, and now he had to wait out the night rather than commit to any actions. As the middle watch sounded four bells, he began to make his way off the deck toward his quarters. "SHIP OFF THE STARBOARD BOW!" cut through the darkness like a knife and sent a chill down Admiral Christian's spine. As he whipped around to squint through the darkness, search lights burst into life illuminating the Dutch ship. The Admiral dropped his tea and began running for the bridge bellowing orders as he ran. The Dutch ship never let him reach it. As the HNLMS Noordbrabant fired upon HMS Minotaur as it was discovered, a 5.9 in shell struk Rear-Admiral Christian directly. He never felt a thing. The Dutch had made their choice known, they were going to smash their way through the 1st Raiding Squadron to escape the approaching Home Fleet. The action was chaotic and brutal. The 5 Royal Navy Cruisers made a hell of an account for themselves in an attempt to prevent the Dutch escape, sinking three torpedo boats and badly damaging a number of other vessels, but it was no use. HMS Duke of Edinburgh was struck by a Torpedo and began to sink, soon followed by HMS Cochrane who was forced to abandon ship as fire engulfed her. HMS Minotaur, Shannon, and Achilles were forced to attempt to escape the killing field. Though they succeeded in this effort, all three vessels suffered major damage that would see them unable to follow the Dutch come dawn. As the Home Fleet arrived on scene, and Rear-Admiral Christian's death was worked out, the Dutch had managed to evade the Royal Navy in what had been a daring but well calculated break out.