ON THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 June 1916, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

| THE GREAT FIGHT. JELLICOE'S THANKS TO THE FLEET. A SAILOR'S STORY. London, June 12. Admiral Sir John Jellicoe lias sent a message to the fleet expressing the highest appreciation of the manner in which they fought in the battle. He says: '"The absence of full information makesat impossible for me to enter into details, but sufficient is known to enable me to state definitely that the glorious traditions handed down to us by generations of gallant seamen have most worthily been upheld. "The highly unfavorable weather conditions robbed the fleet of the complete victory whieh all ranks expected. Our losses are heavy; we miss ruany of the most gallant of our comrades. "Although it is difficult to obtain accurate information of the enemy losses, I have no doubt that they were not less than ours. 'Sufficient information has been received to enable me to make that statement confidently. "I hope to give the fleet the fullest information s'nortlv, but I do not wish to delay the expression of my keen appreciation of the fleet's work and my confidence in a future complete victory." Admiral Jellicoe concludes: "The wonderful spirit of fortitude of the wounded filled me with the greatest admiration. I am prouder than ever of the honor of commanding a fleet manned by such officers and men." A Cardiff man who was on board the New Zealand relates that at daylight after the battle the ship steamed into an area where numerous couples of British and German bodies were locked in a deadly embrace. Apparently two ships sank at close quarters and the men fought in the water.

MORE STORIES. A SOUVENIR FOR MAORI LAND. Received June 13, 5.5 p.m. . London, June 12. The Times' Edinburgh correspondent reports that the Lion's crew extol Admiral Beatty's conduct during the battle. All the time he was on the topmost bridge, directing operations. He gloried in the light, and was as eager, active, and delighted as a schoolboy in a victorious football match. When all was over Admiral Beatty thanked his officers and crew for their magnificent work. The Lion was heavily battered, but she ga\e more than she got, and is quite ready again. _ The German marksmanship was at first admirable, but Inter on it deteriorated. Thus the Neiv Zealand, which was for long periods in 'the firing line, was only once hit, a shell licking ofl' a piece of armor plate a yard long and seven inches thick, which fell on the deck. It is being sent to New Zealand as a souvenir.

WARSHIPS CONVOY DESTROYERS. FOR emden feats. Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received June 13, 5.5 p.m. _ London, June 12. The Times' Amsterdam correspondent says that the German fleet on May 31 convoyed a large number of fast commerce destroyers, expecting to evade the Grand Fleet and repeat the exploits of the Emden. It is believed that few, if any, of these vessels have returned to port. , ' BOMB FOUND IN STEAMER. Received June 13, 5.5 p.m. London, June 12. The Press Bureau states that,a bomb was discovered in the bilge of a grain steamer that recently arrived in 'En"land from the United States. It must have been placed there just prior to loading, and it is believed that it was done by men working in the hold before loading began.