H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 45, 24 February 1915, Page 2

H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

GOOD WORK IN ACTION.

SANK GERMAN SHIP KOLN IN north Sea.

Lieutenant-Colonel A. A. Grace, of Nelson, has received from Captain Ed*rar Grace, of HALS. New Zealand, a photograph of that ship, taken when she was steaming into action off Heligoland,' on August 28th, says the “Mail”). The photograph shows the silk ensign, made by the ladies of New Zealand, flying at the foremast head., just above the signal-yard ami below | the wireless. The battle-cruiser was steaming at the rate of 26 knots at j the time, the photograph was taken ( from one of the accompanying destroyers, two hours before the German cruiser Koln was sunk. “It is not generally known,” says Captain Grace, “that we in this ship sunk the Koln.” It would seem that the New Zealand put that ship out of action and having reduced her to a sinking condition, ceased to fire on her. But the Lion, coming up and not perceiving the condition of things in the mist, fired at the Koln after the New Zealand had stopped firing. So that the people of this country may congratulate themselves on their gift-ship having -done useful service in the first naval engagement of the war, and also in the engagement between battlecruisers on the Dogger Bank, in January, when the Blucher was sunk, and the Derfflinger, Moltke, and Seydhtz were driven bady damaged into port. Evidently the silk ensign is hoisted on the New Zealand only when she is going into action, and that explains Captain Halsey’s recent message to the High Commissioner, that' the ensign would again be ready for hoisting shortly. Captain Grace was promoted from the rank of Commander on December 81st, and is not likely, therefore, to remain definitely with the New Zealand. People in this country (says the “Mail”) will be glad to know that all on board the batte-cruiser are very well and cheery.