The first engagement of the battle was between a British force of six battlecruisers and four battleships and lighter vessels commanded by Admiral Beatty and a German squadron of five battlecruisers plus accompanying vessels commanded by Admiral Hipper.

[1] The opposing destroyers fought a gun battle in hopes of blunting the enemy's torpedo attack while striving to deliver their own.

Petard fired a torpedo on a high speed setting at a group of four German destroyers, possibly achieving a hit from about 3,000 yards range, and a second at a slower speed against the German battlecruisers from a range of about 9,000 yards.

Petard reported that her torpedoes must have crossed the enemy line, but did not claim a hit.

[2] Turning back towards the British ships, Petard passed HMS Nestor, which was also returning but at reduced speed because of damage.