GALLANT RUNNING FIGHT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 197, 28 January 1915, Page 5

GALLANT RUNNING FIGHT.

COOLNESS OF THE BRITISH GUNNERS. j Received 27, 9.25 p.m. ( London, January 27. A member of the crew of a light cruis- / or states: "The light cruisers fell back and the battle-cruisers did the, work. I The enemy was two miles off when first soon, and immediately turned tail. "The Lion was the first to come into effective range, and soon did tremendous damage. The fight lasted two hours. "The Germans put up a gallant fight, but their firing was reckless They fired faster than we did, but our chaps were wonderfully cool and steady. With a good light and a calm sea our shots hit ' the target. "It did not take many shots to finish the Bluclier. The last one took her on I the water-line, and she Blowly heeled over and went down like a glass sinning in water. ' THE BABY-KILLERS. SCARBOROUGH AVENGED IN T'HE NORTH SEA. SOME SAILORS' STORIES 'OF THE FIGHT. London, January 26. Sailors who have returned to Grimsby state that a British destroyer sighted ■ the enemy oft tlie Dogger Bank. The | fastest British small vessel exchanged shots with the German light cruisers, while the battle cruisers endeavoured to bring the large ships into action. The 'running fight continued for 100 miles. The Bluclier caught fire and another battle cruiser was on fire, whilst the whole of the above-deck gear of another battle cruiser was shot away. The British had been ceaselessly watching Yarmouth since the Germans escaped from Scarborough, • Sailors who have returned to Leith stated that the chas< began when the Germans turneij tail. The Lion led, ['but did not fire for a considerable time. At last a sighter secured the range, and 'a thunderous roar followed, announcing the discharge of the 13-in. guns. This Lion took on all the fighting. Her speed exceeded all expectations. The Daily Chronicle says that Ad- [ miral Beatty's victory is an act of justice against 'the baby-killers as well as |of war Everybody rejoiced when Captain von Muller was saved from the Em-, den and regretted that Admiral von Spec was drowned at the Falklands, but there is no such sentiment for the ij?.byt killers for whose crime old stern navnl justice would have exacted repayment at the yard-arm. The Daily Mail declares that moral superiority passes decisively to Britain. The children of Drake and Nelson have lost none of their ancestors' valour and seamanship. BRITISH LOSSES ALLEGED. ' London, January 26. In Germany it is asserted that torpedoes sunk a British battle-cruiser and that an airship saw it. The statement adds that the easterly course of the German ships was due to tactical and artillery considerations. A Gertnan wireless Imessage states that it is reported two British destroyers were sunk. These attempts are received with derision outside Germany. Captain Halsey, in thanking the Hon. T. Mackenzie for New Zealand congratulations, telegraphed: "The flag is ready to hoist again." Nor.r:: "3a victor. SIR, DAVID BEATTY. YOUNGEST BRITISH ADMIRAL. Vice-Admiral Sir David Beatty, the commander of the British battle cruiser squadron, which successfully engaged tha German battle cruiser squadron in t'ho North Sea, is only 43 years of age, being the youngest admiral in the British fleet. Born at Wexford, in Ireland, in the year 1871, Beatty entered the Britannia in January, 1884. After some years' training he was appointed, in .January, 1892, to the Nile, Captain Gerard Noel, on the Mediterranean station, and August of the same year saw him promoted to tlie rank of lieutenant. In September, 181),"}, he was sent to the Camper down, Captain Johnstone, the ship which a few months before rammed and sank the ill-fater Victoria, and in her he remained until appointed, in October, ]B9o, to the Trafalgar, Captain Archibald Mine, flagship of Rear-Admiral Comp. ton Domville in tlie Mediterranean. i j SERVICE IN SOUDAN. In the summer of 1596 the commander of the Trafalgar, the Hon. Stanley Colville, was entrusted with the charge of the stern-wheel gunboats, engaged under Sirdar Kitchener in the advance on Dongola, and Lieutenant Beatty was selected bv Colvilie to accompany him'. In the action at Hafir, Colyillc was wounded, end the command devolved on Beatty. A« a reward for his gallant services on this occasion, and in the ■subsequent capture of Dongola, 'Beatty was, on the recommendation of the Sirdar, created a iii<.'inbe»'( of the Distinguished Service Order, whilst Colville was promoted and given the C.(B. The advance southwards for the recovery of the Soudan was renewed in 1597. and Beatty, under Commander Colin Keppel, again took part in the campaign. He was then promoted to the rank of commander, given the n:ejlal ! . and the Egyptian order of Medjidie, for his services.

After a period of half-pay he was appointed commander of the Barfleur, Captain the Hon Stanley Colville, flagship of Rear-Admiral C. C. P.* Fitzgerald, in China. When the Admiral was superseded by Rear-Admiral Bruce, and Captain Colville by Captain Warrander, Beatty remained in the Barfleur, and was thus on the spot when Sir Edward Seymour's famous march to relieve the embassies at Pekin took place. FIGHTING IN CHINA In the attack on Tientsin, Beatty commanded a brigade of bluejackets of the fleet, and exhibited such gallantry and tenacity of purpose in attempting the capture of two Chinese guns that were causing great annoyance to tiic force, and although twice wounded, he persisted in leading his men to the attack, only to be repulsed by the welldirected fire of the enemy. He was mentioned in despatches by Sir Edward Seymour, and thus gained his second step in rank by his personal bravery in the face,of the foe He was posted in November, 1900, at the age of 29, and was thus one of the younger officers to reach this rank for a period cf over (N years.

' ' the recent review at Spithead the '"oted .Vhniral Bentty to be a mi?:-,::; in wjmition of his services in Tim command

with which he is now entron-*! requires a man of unusual tcsoutcc. iiH>re must be iron nerve, great tactical ability, quick discernment, keen perception, and the utmost dash and daring, consistent "with his safe handling of his squadron.