ON THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 June 1916, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

THE JUTLAND BATTLE. AN UNDOUBTED VICTORY. ENEMY FLEE HELTER-SKELTER. London, June 18. Admiral Sir Cyprian Bridge, in an article forecasting Sir John -lellieoc's dispatch, said he was convinced that it would show a victory as decisive as that of the "Glorious First of June," and nearly, if not quite, as decisive as Rodney's on April 12, 1782. We were superior in strategy, tactics, gunnery and enterprise, Never had there been finer leading or more gallant following. Admirals Hood and Arlmthnot had left behir ' names covered with glory, and the captains, officers and ships' companies responded nobly. The violence of Admiral Beatty's attacks demoralised and confused the enemy. The Germans admit that a (icrman ship rammed the Elbing. It was understood that the fiermans rammed one or two of their own submarines. The ships, when ordered to retreat, went helter-skelter to safety, failing to preserve their formation. Our losses were less heavy than stuclents of naval war under modern conditions expected.

[The battle commonly known as that of "the Glorious First of -Tune," 1794, was fought between the British Fleet under Admiral Lord Howe and a French Fleet under Admiral Villaret-Joyenss. At the close of it, f.nrd JTowe Jiad si.* prizes in his possession. After capturing St. Eustatia (West Indies), in 1781. Admiral Lord Rodnev fought a great battle off The Saintes. in 1782, and rriishingly defeated the French Fleet", under Admiral Grasse, which was on its way to Jamaica.] "YOU COULD DO NO MORE." KING VISITS THE FLEET. ADDRESSES A NAVAL PARADE. Received June 10, 8.20 p.m. London, June Ift. , The King inspected the whole of the Grand Fleet, and alsp visited the weunded naval men who are in Scottish I hospitals. i The Press Bureau reports: The King, | in addressing a parade of representa- ! t ; ve units of the Grand Fleet, said:— i "You waited for nearly two years, with most exemplary patience, for the opportunity of meeting and engaging the enemy's fleet. 1 can well understand how trying this period has been, and how *reat was your relief when you knew, r.n May 31st, that the enemy had been lighted.

"The unfavorable weather conditions, nd the approaching darkness, prevented lie complete result you all expected, but ou did all that was possible under he circumstances. You drove the enemy uto their harbors, and inflicted most .evere losses, thus adding another page to the glorious traditions of the British Navy. "You could not do For your splendid work I thank you." MESSAGE TO THE ADMIRAL. The King, at .the conclusion of his :,it, sent the following message to Vdmiral Jellicoe, "I am thankful for he opportunity to congratulate you and [.lie Grand Fleet on the result of the •eeent engagement in the North Sea. Assure all ranks and ratings that the nainn of the British Navy never stood higher in the eyes of their fellow countrymen. whose pride and confidence in their achievements is unabated. Good luck, and God-speed. '.May your future efforts be blessed, with complete weeess."

ONE-THIRD OF ENEMY'S FLEET. PUT OUT OF ACTION. BODIES OF CIVILIANS FOUND. Received June 19, 8.15 p.m. London, June 19. , The newspaper Scotsman states that advices from neutral ports indicate that the battle put out of action one-third of Germany's effective naval power. Neutrals are speculating concerning the men, in civilian clothing, who were, found drifting amongst the bodies of German sailors. The view is largely held that ll.ey represented another effort to create trouble in Ireland. KING'S SON IN THE FIGHT. Received June 19, 9 p.m. London, June 19. It is understood that Prince Albert (the King's second son), was serving as a sub-lieutenant on a battleship that participated in the Skager Rack battle.