THE NAVAL FIGHT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 198, 29 January 1915, Page 5

THE NAVAL FIGHT

ADMIRAL BEATTY'S REPORT. H.M.S. LION PUT OUT OF ACTION. GERMAN —omOYERS DRIVEN OFF. THE KOLBERG SUNK. ENEMY SUBMARINES STOP THE FIGHT. Received 28, 9.25 p.m. London, January 28. Vice-Admiral Sir David Beatty's report states that the destroyers at 7.30 ajn. sighted four battle-cruisers, six light cruisers, and some destroyers, fourteen miles east by south-east of his position.

He directed the battle-cruisers to steer a south-east course, secure the lee positions, and cut off the enemy, but it developed into a stern chase. Our speed of 28 and 29 knots gradually overhauled the enemy.

At 18,000 yards we opened a slow, deliberate fire,* and began to hit at 17,000 yards, the enemy returning the fire. The Lion and Tiger, having drawn alead, bore the enemy's concentrated fire for some time, the Lion suffering most

German destroyers attacked, but were driven off.

A shot damaged on e of the Lion's feed-tanks at 11 o'clock, stopping the port engine. The Lion's course was altered to avoid submarines, and tue Admiral's flag transferred to the Princess Royal. The disablement of the Lion deprived us of a greater victory. The presence of the enemy's submarines subsequently necessitated the breaking off of the engagemnt.

The Blucher was sunk, and two other battle-cruisers were heavily afire, and seriously damaged. Prisoners report that our over-salvoeß sunk the Kolberg. Subsequently the Lion's starboard engine's developed trouble, and she was towed to port. The damage to the Lion and Tiger was not serious, and none of the other ships was hit. \

The behaviour of the officers and men was only what he expected. Great credit is given to the engine-room staffs for the fine steaming.

H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND'S PART. RAMS THE BLUCHER. Received 29, 12.5 ajn. London, January 28. According to the Daily Mail, JLM.B. New Zealand rammed the Blucher, crushed her deck, and demolished her guns, while the Tiger's 13y 2 -inch guns swept the fore turret with its gun crews over the side. According to a prisoner, the. German airmen mistook the Blucher for a Britisher, and bombed the crew struggling in the wate.r

CANNONADING AT LONG RANGE. THE LION'S GREAT FEAT. STORIES OF GERMAN SAILORS. London, January 27. The Germans were sighted thirty miles off the English coast. The Lion opened fire at fifteen miles and the contestants were never closer than eight miles. The Lion received a t;<>uk'ndous ovation. A bluejacket on the Blucher states that one terrible shell burst in the heart of the ship and killed scores. The Blucher waß battered to pieces. Two hundred and fifty-three wounded and unwounded survivors have been landed in Britain. The captain admits that the Blucher participated in the shelling of Hartlepool, when her casualties were ninety killed and twenty-one wounded.