On the Sea

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 56, 6 July 1915, Page 5

On the Sea

THE BALTIC SCRAP.

FIGHTING IN A FOG.

PESTERED BY SUBMARINES.

Petrograd, July 5

The cruisers Rnrik, -Makarotf, Mayan, Dogatyr, and Olga were returning from operations in the southern Baltic when they encountered, at 8 o’clock in the morning, between the island of Gotland and the coast, a German squadron,' consisting of the Augsburg, the Albatross and three destroyers. The fog was so dense that tiie opposing ships at times were swallowed up in the darkness, hence the gunlayers found it difficult to maintain an accurate fire.

| The Russians manoeuvred in order |to intercept a retreat, the German destroyers meanwhile attacking with gunfire and torpedoes, none of which found a mark. The destroyers were forced to retire from crushing salvos from the Russian guns, and the Augsburg in half an hour was set on fire, in the beginning of the action. It found the Russian lire too hot, and abandoned the Albatross and made off at all speed, the fog enabling the vessel to escape. The German destroyers re-attack-ed, pouring off a thick volume of black smoke in order to screen the Albatross, which was evidently doomed. By nine o’clock clouds of steam arose from the Albatross, which took a list to starboard, and then hauled down her flag and made for the coast. As she was rapidly entering neutral water the Raissians ceased fire and the Albatross ran ashore. The Russians then continued northward until ten o’clock, when they sighted several ships, including the Roon, the Augsburg, four destroyers and several submarines. The Russians immediately joined in battle, and half an hour later the German ships began to retreat, the submarines unsuccessfully attacking the Russians.

The Rurik, which brought up the rear, now engaged cruisers of the Roon and Bremen classes, the latter having just arrived. The Augsherg, which was damaged in the previous action, kept a respectful distance. The Rurik was working its guns brilliantly, and silenced the Roon’s four 8-inch guns one after another, until only one replied, while flames, were bursting from the Roon’s decks. Fearing complete destruction the German cruisers disappeared in the fog.

Towards the end of the action a submarine again attacked the Rurik, which heat off its assailant. The Russian casualties were only fourteen wounded and none killed.

After the engagement the battle squadron joined the cruisers, and a flotilla of destroyers protected the large craft from a German submarine, whose presence patrol boats detected. One submarine attempted to torpedo the Rurik, but was driven off by the destroyer Vnimatelyn, fvhich, howeven was itself damaged.

SWEDEN’S NEUTRALITY.

Berlin, July 5

The German newspapers insist there was a breach of Swedish neutrality, and advise a strong Swedish protest, hoping Sweden will eventually embark on an anti-Allies policy.

THE CREW OF THE ALBATROSS.

Copenhagen, July 5

Seven officers and 187 men of the Albatross were interned at Roma. Three officers and 20 men were wounded, and several were buried. The total German dead is not known.

SUBMARINE VICTIMS.

PEPPERED WITH SHELLS. United Press Association. London, July 4. A submarine sank the steamer Renfrew, in ballast, and the Larchmore, coal-laden, bound for Bombay. The crews landed at Plymouth. Both steamers made gallant attempts to escape and were peppered with shells before they stopped.- The Larch more’s engine-room was wrecked. The donkey-man was killed and another man was wounded.

DEPRIVED OF ITS PREY. ELEVEN LIVES LOST. (Received 11.10 a.m.) London, July 5. The steamer Anglo-Californian, which has arrived at Queenstown, was shelled by a submarine. The captain made a daring and skilful attempt to evade the enemy. Several shells struck the vessel, and killed the captain and ten of the crew, whi-e eight were wounded. S.O.S. signals brought help, and the submarine disappeared. d’he schooner Hirondelle was torpedoed off Ushant. The crew were landed.