HMS Gipsy received an unexpected order to sail at about 8 p.m., soon after returning from a North Sea sortie. Captain Nigel Crossley was at supper, so First Lieutenant Robert Franks took the destroyer away from the buoy and followed HMS Griffin out of Harwich. Crossley came to the bridge but left Franks to conn the ship, reflecting his habit of decentralizing responsibility. The night was dark, Griffin's wake marked the route, and Franks thought a strong ebb tide was probably pushing Gipsy off her intended track before the mine exploded.
Notable Point · 28:30-29:08
Decentralized command before HMS Gipsy's mining
Captain Nigel Crossley leaves First Lieutenant Robert Franks to conn HMS Gipsy out of Harwich, showing delegated command immediately before the destroyer strikes a mine.