On the Sea.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 90, 11 September 1914, Page 8

On the Sea.

GRAND GUNNERY. | GERMAN CRUISER SPEEDILY ACCOUNTED FOR. London, September 9. In a letter, a navy man aboard the Lion says: "It was a fine sight to see the Lion demolish the German cruised off Heligoland. Some of the latter's shots came near the Lion, but then the latter, who was leading the line, signalled to open lire. She turned slowly and majestically and fired a broadside. Up went a cloud of smoke and steam from the German aft funnel, which assumed a rakish angle. A huge rent also appeared the length of her side. As she was sinking her ensign '.".'.v. half hauled down, but as ws steamed to the rescue she hauled up i], u Hag and opened fire. The Lion turned and gave five shots from her turrets. The cruiser disappeared amidst a shower of splinters,.stuoko and fire. The incident occupied 45 ininutea. THE T.ATIIYINDEB INCIDENT. A MOMENT OF HORROR. J MAGNIFICENT -COOLNESS AND HEROISM. London, September !). The crew on the Pathfinder were engaged in ordinary duties when the crash eatae. The vessel shuddered, and rose from end to end. Those in the forepart of the vessel where she was struck had no chance. Others were knocked down by the force of the explosion.

A member of the crew says: "Then came a moment of horror. All round us was the blackness of the night. Wreckage of all kinds came down upon us out of the smoke and darkness. I ran aft, where the survivors were busy obeying their officers' commands. The vessel was gradually sinking, and we made the most of our time throwing overboard anything that would give a chance of saving life. The boats were smashed up so, that we pitched them overboard with booms, and pieces of wood gratings. We tried to wrench off doors, but had no time. Meantime the smoke cleared, but we could sec only the stern above water. The sea, which was heavy, was strewn with wreckage. There was no panic; the officers and men were splendid. The stern began to tilt up and we then awaited final orders. It came, "Every man for himself." The officers and men jumped overboard and clung to the wreckage .Some were injured and many were dazed by the shock of the explosion. The lieutenant and chief petty officers, both strong swimmers, swam among their struggling comrades carrying pieces of timber to enable the helpless to save themselves. In this way the petty oflicer, who was himself injured, formed a group of eleven and kept encouraging them till help came. He tried to get thorn to join him in singing a chorus. One after another four sank out of sight, and when the torpedoers rescued the remainder the petty oflicer was picked up exhausted.

MINES IX Till:; ADRIATIC. I.ondon, September 0. ! British and Flench torpedo boats are , removing innumerable Austrian mines in the Adriatic. ' GERMAN MINK-LAY EH CAPTURED. London, September fl. A British gunboat captured a trawler with 200 mines aboard. 'J'he boat purported to belong to Grimsby. The Herman navy list contains the names of 27 large liners commissioned, and also 100 trawlers. NORTH SEA LOSSES. ' London, September !). s The Herman plan has been to capture British trawlers and use them as minelayers. Tim Press Bureau says that the Admiralty announces that the lluno departed from the Admiralty direction-, which would have assured her safe voyage. ' THE NAVAL DIVISION. I.ondon. Sept. (V. There is 'brisk recruiting for the new naval division. [This is the division .vhich is to consist of the marines whom the n ; ivv can 'spare, and naval reservists.] SWEDISH STR.VM'ER STOPPED. Received 11, 1.25 a.m. Copenhagen, Sept ember 10, The Swedish steamer Hantilicd. which has reached Hebe, reports that .-m> wa* 'held up by a Herman lorpedoer. whi..i iemoved 22 English passengers. ' ANOTHER STEAMKIt GAPTIRED. Received 1!', Li", a.m. London, Sept. 10 (morning). ■ The Holland-American liner Norrdun, from New York, for Rotterdam, with 'German reservists and general cargo, als.i destined for Germany, was cap-J tured -and brought to (Jiu-ei^town.