Live Bait: A Sailor, his Family, and the Epic Chronicles of HMS Defence, before and during the First World War and the Battle of Jutland

On May 31, 1916, on a windswept, cold and cruel North Sea, 251 dreadnought battleships, battlecruisers, cruisers and destroyers, with 100,000 sailors, marines and civilians, engaged in the most destructive and most decisive sea battle of the 'Great War.' Just as Sir. Francis Drake's ship had led the British Fleet to defeat the Spanish Armada over four centuries ago, the old obsolete cruiser, HMS Defence, led the Grand Fleet to engage the infamous, unsinkable, German High Seas Fleet. Their heroic actions at this devastating ‘Battle of Jutland’ allowed the British fleet to reshape the war at sea, and change the course of history. - This is also the amazing, true story of the author's grandfather, William (Bill) Charles Trevithick. For him and his shipmates it all began, just before the war, when he joined the HMS Defence as an armourer's mate. The Defence was then ordered to lead the Mediterranean Fleet, and soon there were feelings of doubt as they realized their flagship cruiser was far outgunned and underprotected. - Consequently, when the war broke out, the commanders of his ship allowed a German battlecruiser to escape to Constantinople. This was a contributing factor in bringing the Ottoman Empire into the war, resulting in the enormous and disastrous Gallipoli Campaign. How did Bill and his shipmates deal with that humiliating embarrassment and disgrace, and how did they redeem themselves? - Now, in centennial memoriam and after more than five years of extensive research, compiled from volumes of facts, personal accounts and family recollections, this work has revealed one of the most amazing, true, underdog adventures of the twentieth century. 'Live Bait' is a one-of-a-kind, must-read for any historian and anyone interested in a serious, important, personal glimpse into the harsh realities of war at sea, and at home. Pick up this rare five-star book now, live in the moment, enjoy the read and spread the word.