Naval Battle.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 July 1915, Page 5

Naval Battle.

BALTIC ACTION DESCRIBED. FIGHTING IX A FOG. CRUSHING FIRE FROM RISSIAN&GBRMAN 'SHIPS RETMAT. i Received July !>, 9.20 p.m. Petrograd, July fl. The cruisers Rurik, Makaroff, Bayan, Bogatyr, and Olga were returning from , 'operations in tlie southern Baltic when . they encountered, at 8 o'clock in the . morning, between the island of Gothland . and the coast, a German squadron, con- , slsting of the Augsburg, the Albatross ; and three destroyers. The fog was so dense that the opposing ships at times i .were swallowed up in the darkness, hence the gunlayiers found it difficult to maintain an accurate fire. The Russians manoeuvred in order to intercept a retreat, the German destroyer* meanwhile attacking with gunfire and torpedoes, none of which found a mark. The destroyers were forced to retire from crushing salvos from the Russian gunß, and the Augsburg m half an hour wto. set on, fire, in the beginning of the> action, i.lt found the Russian fire too hot, and abandoned the , Albatross and made off at all Bpeed, the Ug enabling the vessel to escape. The German destroyers re-attacked, piuring off a thick volume of black srhoke in order to screen the Albatross, which was evidently doomed. By nine o'olook clouds of steam arose from the Ajbatroßs, which took a list to starboard, iand then hauled down her flag aid made for the coast. As Bhe was rajpidly entering neutral waters the Russians ceased fire and the Albatross ran ashore. [The Russians then continued northward until ten o'clock, whea they sighted several ships, including the Roon, the Ajigsburg, four destroyers and several siibmarines. The Russians immediately joined in 'battle, and lialf an hour later tljje German ships began to retreat, the submarines unsuccessfully attacking the Russians. jiTho Rurik, which brought up the rear, now engaged cruisers of the Roon and Bremen classes, the latter having just arrived. The Auggberg, which was damaged in the previous action, kept a respectful distance. The Rurik was working its guns brilliantly, and silenc- , ec| the Boon's four 8-inch guns one after another, until only one replied, wiile flames were (bursting from the Boon's decks. Fearing complete destruction the German cruisers disappeared in the fog. Towards the end of the action & submarine again attacked the Rurik, which Jjejat off its assailant. The Russian casualties were only fourteen wounded aiil none killed. After tlie engagement the battle sc uadron joined the cruisers, and a flotilla of destroyers protected the age craft from a German submarine, ose presence patrol boats detected. 0: ie submarine attempted to torpedo tl e Rurik, but was driven off by the d< stroycr Vnimatelyn, which, however, w la itself damaged. i i GERMAN CASUALTIES. i S 1 7EDISH • NEUTRALITY QUESTION. G [JRItANY CLAIMS IT WAS BROKEN. s; ReceiTcd July 6, 10.10 p.m. I i « Berlin, July 5. ! the German newspapers Insist there *s» breach of Swedish neutrality, and a< vise a strong Swedish protest, hoping Si 'eden will eventually embark on an m fi-Allies policy. ■' Copenhagen, July 5. Wen officers and 187 men of tho A totross were interned at Roma, Three *>f icers and 20 men wero wounded, and so eral wero buried. The total German d' id is not knowiu