NORTH SEA BATTLE.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15218, 4 March 1915, Page 7

NORTH SEA BATTLE.

FURTHER DESPATCH FROM

STR DAVID BEATTT.

A LONG, STERN CHASE

(Received March 3rd. 11.5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 3. A despatch from Rear-Admiral Sir David Bentty on the fight in tho North Sea. on January 24th, has also been published. Sir David Beatt.v reports that he was patrolling at daybreak with tho light cruisers Southampton. Nottingham, Birmingham, and Lowestoit disposed to port of the battle-cruisers, and the Arcthusa, Aurora, and Undaunted" and destroyer flotillas -ahead. Tho flash of guns was observed at 7.20, and the Aurora reported that she was engaging tho enemy. He altered hi s course and increased speed to twenty-two knots. Throughout the fight tho light cruisers maintained touch with the enemy and kept the Admiral fully informed, and were ready to attack any vessels which might fall out of the enemy's line. Hie wind was light and thero was extreme visibility. ' The enemy was seen steaming fast and steering to the

south-east at a distance of fourteen

miles. The British ships settled down to a long, stern chase. By.nine o'clock they were within twenty thousand yards of the rear ship. The Lion made the opening hit. on the Blncher. which was fourth in the line. The Tiger opened firo on the rear ship, and tho enemy returned fire at 9.14.

Soon the New Zealand was engaging the Blucher. which dropped astern with a heavy list. The Princess Royal attacked the third ship of the line, which was afire by .9.45. Our cruisers and destroyers gradually manoeuvred away in order not to foul the battloeniisers' range with smoke, but on the enemy's destroyers threatening to attack, the Meteor and tho M division passed ahead, Captain the Hon. Herbert Meado. D.5.0., in the flotilla loader Fnulknor, handling the division with conspicuous ability. Tho enemy's destroyers omitted vast columns of smoke to screen their battleships. Under cover of the .smoke, tho latter altered their course to the northward, increasing their distance. Tho enemy's destroyers attempted to attack, but the Lion and the Tiger forced them to retiro.

Submarines were reported at 10.14. Tho Lion immediately turned to port, but as tho starboard engine was giving trouble, owing to priming, and was in-

capable of immediate repair, the Admiral shifted his flag to the Princess Royal to attack, and went at full speed to rejoin his squadron,' which he met afc noon retiring north-north-west. Captain Brock, of .the Princess Royal, reported the sinking of the Blucher, and that tho onemy's battle-cruisers had gone to the eastward.

A Zeppelin and a seaplane endeavoured to drop bombs on " the vessel* which went to tho 'rescue of the cur-

vivors from the Bluclier,

The excellent steaming: of the British ships was a conspicuous feature of the action. The squadron reached a speed of 23} knots. Particular credit is due to tho engineers of the New Zealand and the Indomitable. Tho only shiys hit were the Lion and the Tiger.

Aboard tho New Zealand EngineerCommander T. H. Turner, and Chief-

Engine-room-Artificer Dand, arc mentioned in despatches. Chief Stoker James Sims receives the Distinguished Service Medal.