At Dogger Bank, a British 13.5-inch shell, probably from HMS Lion, struck near a rear barbette and its blast ignited propellant in the working spaces. Men trying to escape left a connecting door open, allowing flame to spread into the neighboring turret system. Both rear turrets were destroyed and 159 men were killed. The executive officer's order to flood the magazines prevented a catastrophic detonation, and the disaster drove changes in German ammunition handling, storage, and magazine security.
Chapter · 43:16-45:05
Dogger Bank and the magazine fire that changed German practice
An apparent shell hit from HMS Lion burned through Seydlitz's rear turret system, killing 159 men and prompting reforms after magazine flooding narrowly saved the ship.