Gas Attack Option
I thought a little about this and assuming the technical issues are possible how about this scenerio?
31 May 1915
1400 - British and German Light fleet units stumble into each other, partially witnessed by the Danish Ship NJ Fjord. Beatty orders his squadrons into battle, athough the 5th (Evan-Thomas) as in our TL misses the order due to almost criminal negligence.
1500 - Hipper moves south drawing the British Battle Cruisers South towards the German Battle Fleet and several dozen small apparently neutral steamers. Orders in Danish and in the open are given for the 'Danish' Ships to gather South of the on coming British.
1600 - Hipper and Beatty shell each other. Hipper is getting the better of the engagement and the 'Danish' ships are now almost due South of the British. British radio intercepts and sighting confirm the ships are neutral (they are not) and concentrate instead of hitting Hipper.
16:15 - The British battle squadron gets in range of Hipper and begins opening fire. The Danish ships are now evacuating into small launches, most lie directly in the path of the British BBs and BC, although the BC will reach the 'line' first
16:20 - Massive explosions rock the 10 odd Danish ships, which in fact have been packed with phosgene gas. Each ship carrying several tons. Huge clouds form directly in the path of the British Ships. Initially the British believe the Germans either sank the Danish ships or they are a diversion.
16:30 - Beatty's battlecrusiers enter the clouds of gas. Protected areas of the ship are at first relatively uneffected. But the Bridges and command and control centers are immediately put out of action. Ships begin to steer erratically and fire slackens.
16:40 - Secondary explosions from areas near the former Danish ships (rafts with gas and timers) go off and the clouds spread. Evan-Thomas's Fifth Battle Squadron tries to execute a turn but most of his ships disappear into the gas clouds.
1700 - Beatty's BC emerge from the cloud. Most ships are out of control. Men are dying and gas is now venting into the Engine compartments. Beatty is dead aboard teh Lion which is losing speed and locked in a sharp circle. Princess Royal, Tiger and Queen Mary are also helpless, losing speed with silent guns.
The 2nd BC Squadron has faired somewhat better. Only New Zealand is out of control. Parkeham and Indefatigable only partially entered the cloud. They have suffered loss of some control but some parts of the ships remain gas free. They have turned East and withdrawn from battle.
Evan Thomas Fast BBs have been hit hard. Barham, Warspite and Valient are all slowing tombs. Malaya has been only partially engulfed but her Captain is dead (Boyle) and because she is under steam, the main target of Hipper.
German fire has also been critical. They have had 42 hits on the British (as in our TL) and only suffered 5 in return (11 in our TL if you count just the bigger guns).
Now the 'Danish' crews in protective gear are motoring towards the Striken British Line. Some British DDs try to interviene but Hipper slows to drive them off. Soon crys of "Repell all borders" sound on the stricken British ships and the Germans try to put prize crews aboard.
There is no "Run to the North" now and Beatty has fallen ominously silent. Jellicoe signals the Admiralty at 1700 (approx the same as in our TL) that he is moving South to investigate.
1710 - Rear Admiral Hood's BC squadron is moving South at Best speed, but the German HSF and BC are almost stationary. It will be some time before Jellicoe can be certain where the Germans are.
17:30 - German marines secure control of Princess Royal and Tiger. British sailors scuttle the Queen Mary before the Marines can take control. Tow lines are already secured.
Fighting on the BBs is more difficult. Confusion, gas and gallantry make it tough going for the Germans. Hipper orders the Marines to secure the ships or sink them by 1800.
1800 - Hood is still out of contact with the Germans. Hipper gives the Marines more time, as they have secured control of the Warsprite. German fire sinks the Warsprite. The BCs are under town moving at 5 knots Southeast.
1830 - Light fleet units of the HSF detect Jellicoe. Tows are now attached to Valiant and Warsprite. Barham is scuttled or sunk. Hipper heads North towards Hood is because of some differences in this TL is well ahead of Jellicoe.
1900 - Hipper and Hood trade salvos. Hipper gets the best of the engagement. Hood radios his position to Jellico who turns slightly East, actually drawing away from Sheer's main BF which is now with the tow ships.
Sheer orders Hipper to continue East and draw Jellico away from his prizes. Sheer orders the BFto make best speed South East.
2000 - Night is falling and Jellicoe is still trying to catch Hipper who moves nimbly East North East.
2100 - Jellicoe is informed that the ships he is chasing are only the BCs and not the HSF as he believed. Hipper has the advantage of a lite Western sky and handles Hoods BC's roughly. Jellicoe has a speed disadvantage put he orders a South East turn hoping to cut Hipper off and salvage something.
2200 - Last shells exchanged. Hipper draws off for several hours than moves South East eluding Jellico.
0600 - Sheer is nearing port. Hipper has eluded Jellicoe.
June 2nd Last German Fleet units with prizes arrive. German 'prizes' are as follows :
2 BB, 2 BC, 3 CR, 4 LCR and 8 DDs.
Frankly this strikes me as ASB but it was fun to write!
Gemellus