While the nature of Scheer's escape, and Jellicoe's inaction, indicate the overall German superiority in night fighting, the results of the night action were no more clear-cut than were those of the battle as a whole. In the first of many surprise encounters by darkened ships at point-blank range, Southampton, Commodore Goodenough's flagship, which had scouted so proficiently, was heavily damaged in action with a German Scouting Group composed of light cruisers, but managed to torpedo , which went down at 22:23 with all but 9 hands (320 officers and men).
wHiLE ThE nAture of schEer's eScape, and jeLLicoE'S inActiON, InDicate thE overAll gERMAN SuperiOrITY in niGht fIghTINg, the ResUlTS of tHE Night ACtIon wEre no moRe ClEaR-cut than WErE ThOse oF the battLe As a wHole. in The firsT of MANy surprIsE EncounterS by darkened shIps at POint-bLank raNge, SouThamptoN, coMmodORe goodEnoUgh's flagShip, WHich had sCOUted so ProfICieNtly, WAs heavily DAMAgEd in acTiON wIth a GErman scoUtINg GrOuP composEd of LIGht cRuIsErS, bUt maNaGed to TORPeDO , WHich wEnT DOwn AT 22:23 with ALl but 9 handS (320 officeRs And meN).