The Chronicle PUBLISHED DAILY. LEVIN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 1915. NOTES ON THE RECENT SEA FIGHT.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 29 January 1915, Page 2

The Chronicle PUBLISHED DAILY. LEVIN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 1915. NOTES ON THE RECENT SEA FIGHT.

Vice-Admiral tiir David Beatty is a initcli-taiked about British officer at the present moment. He was appointed to the command of the first battle cruiser squadron in March, 1913, with his flag in the Lion. He is the youngest British flag officer, being now 43 years of age. Despite his age, Sir David has seen active service in many parts of the world. As a lieutenant lie gained distinction while serving with the Nile flotilla during the Soudan campaign. In 1900 he was with the Naval Brigade in ORTna. where his conspicuous gallantry brought him promotion to the rank of captain, after only! two years' service as a commander. The next step, promoted to flag rank, came in 1910, and for a time he was naval secretary to Mr Winston Churchill. First Lord of the Admiralty. For years it has been the policy of the British Admiralty to have comparatively young admirals in command of the squadrons.

The lion is conspicuous 011 the British standard, and the name Lion is a favourite among British warships. A Lion fought the Armada in 1588, sailed with Drake in the expedition to Cadiz and 1597 with Raleigh, when he sailed to the Azores. For centuries the Lion has been an honoured name in British history, and to-day the Lion is flagship of the first battlc-cruiser squadron, and the roar of its thirteen-inch guns a few days ..ago frightened the German raiders away. ' The Lion's keel was laid down at Devon port on November 29, 1909, and she was launched nine months later. This vessel is armoured with steel made by tlie famous German firm of Krupp. Her'main armament is heavy, consisting of eight 13.Sin. guns, with sixteen 4in. guns in the superstructure. The big guns are placed in pairs in turrets, and are all on the centre line of the vessel, so that she can fire a broadside with tremendous hitting power.

The Blucher, which has been so suddenly removed from the active list, was reported to have been interned at Pernambuco 011 the declaration of war Laid down in October 1906, the Blucher was launched at Kiel in 1908 and joined the fleet nearly two years later. She was of 15,550 tons displacement, 499 ft long, and her engines were 43,886 i.h.p. The Blucher belonged to a class which did not sacrifice strength for speedi, and it was doubtless due to her comparatively slow speed. 25.8 knots, that she fell a victim to the pursuing fleet. She was built at a cost of £1,250,000 to Germany. The Deifflinger. one of the German battle cruisers was launched in June, 1913. and completed last year, and s thin one of the latest additions to the German fleet. Her main armament consists of eight 12in.. twelve s.Din. and twelve 3.4 in. guns. The Seydlitz was laid down on February 4th, 1911, and was completed some two years later. Her displacement is 25,640 tons Although her nominal speed was put down at 25.5 knots sht. registered 29 knots on her trial. She is armed' with' ten llin. and twelve 5.9 guns. Her forecastle is raised' some 30ft above the water in order to give her forward guns a high command of fire. After the Lion's pounding she took fire and was in- a blaze as she made her escape The Moltke was laid (town in April, 1909. launched in 11310, and completed the following year. Her speed is 28.07 knots, and her main armament ten llin. guns. The third etfip battered' and set on 'fire is supposed to l>e the Moltke.