NAVAL BATTLE IN THE NORTH SEA

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2368, 26 January 1915, Page 5

NAVAL BATTLE IN THE NORTH SEA

GERMAN RAIDING FLEET DEFEATED ARMOURED CRUISER SUNK TWO BATTLE-CRUISERS BADLY DAMAGED NO BRITISH LOSSES NORFOLK AIR RAIDERS There is no lack of incident—and of events bigger than incidents— in to-day's war.news. A German battle-cruiser squadron, with light cruisers and: destroyers, apparently planning another murdering raid on the East Coast of England, was Bteering westward across the North Sea when they were sihted by the First Battle-cruiser Squadron of the British, Fleet, under Vice-Admiral Sir David Beatty. Assisted by the First Destroyer Flotilla, under Commander Tyrwhitt, the British Squadron proceeded to bring the raiders into action. The enemy, tin- v willing to fight, turned and made full speed for the security of their mined waters, but they were not quick enough, and were brought to aotion, and forced to maintain a running fight, which was closely contested. The Blucher, which participated in the recent Scarborough and Hartlepool raid, was sunk, with, apparently, considerable loss of life, while two of the enemy's battle-cruisers were badly damaged. The British' loss was nil, if one excepts a few casualties on board the Lion, which headed the line of battle. H.M.S. New Zealand has again been in action, and this time has received the compliments of "The Times." There is more about the air raiders, and the Norfolk affair. Fighting is going on all along the battle-frcnts of the various theatreß.. ' FIRST BATTLE CRUISER SQUADRON IN " ' ACTION ' ROPING FIGHT IN NORTH SEA GERMAN RAIDING FLEET CHASED AND PUNISHED \-r : ■. By T«le2mEh—Press 'Association—Oouyrieht New York, January 24. A Renter message from London states:— "The. German armour&d cruiser Bluoher, 15,550 tons, was sunk in a battle in the North Sea;. Two other German ships were badly damaged. No British ships were lost." London, January 24. The first battle-cruiser squadron, under Vice-Admiral Sir David Beatty, sighted four German battle-cruisers and a number of destroyers making for England. . i The Germans fled, and a running fight ensued, the armoured cruiser Blucher being sunk, while two, battle-cruisers were seriously damaged. There were no British losses. The fight began at 9.30 a.m., when the battle-cruisers Lion, Tiger, Princess Royal, New Zealand, and Indomitable engaged the Derflinger, Seydlitz, Moltke, and Blucher. The Blucher capsized and sank at 1 o'clock. The remainder, including the crippled ships, reached the secnrity of the mine area. The British casualties were eleven wounded aboard the Lion. . One hundred and twenty-three of t'he Blucher's crew were rescued; LIGHT CRUISERS AND DESTROYERS ALSO ENGAGED, ■ " (Rec. January 25, 7.55 p.m.) London) January 24. -Captain Tyrwhittfs torpedo flotilla participated in the fight with the German fleet, which included several light cruisers. ' The enemy dashed homewards at high speed when sighted by the British'. Some fighting was heard of Friesland (Holland), indicating that t'he flight was to the northward of the Friesian Islands of Ameland and Schiermonnikoog. The Admiralty.has not received reports of the light oruiser and destroyer fighting, though some has apparently oocurred. OFFICIAL STATEMENT BY THE ADMIRALTY •"A WELL-CONTESTED RUNNING FIGHT. »■ The Prime Minister has received the following cablegram, dated London, January 24, 5 p.m., from the High Commissioner "Wie Admiralty announces that early this morning a British patrolling squadron of battle-oruisors and light cruisers under Vice-Admiral Sir David Beatty, with a destroyer flotilla- under Commodore Tyrwhitt, sighted four German battle-cruisers, several light cruisers, and a number of destroyers steering westward, apparently making for the English coast. '"file enemy at once made for home at high speed, and were at once pursued, and ibout 9.30 a.m. action was commenced between the battle-cruisers' Lion, Tiger, Princess Royal, New Zealand, and Indomitable on the one hand, and the Derflinger, Seydlitz, Moltke, and Blucher. A well-contested running after one o'clock the Blucher, which had previously fallen out of the line, capsized and Bank. "Admiral Beatty reports that two other German battle-cruisers _ were seriously damaged, but were able, however, to continue thoir flight until they reached the area where the dangers from German submarines and mines prevented further pursuit. , . . "No British ships were lost. Our casualties m personnel, as at present reported, wore slight, the Lion, which was leading the line, having eleven wounded and no killed. "One hundred and twenty-three survivors were rescued from the Blucher's crew of 885, and it is possible that others were saved by some of our destroyers. "No reports of any destroyer or light oruiser fighting have yet been received at the Admiralty, though some apiw/rontly has taken place. "Their Lordships of the Admiralty navo expressed their satisfaction to Vice-Admiral Beatty." • GREAT DELIGHT IN LONDON. (Rec. January 26, 1 a.m.) London, January 25. The audiences at the Sunday night concerts in London received the new 6 with great enthusiasm, and crios of: "The baby-killers have got what they were looking for " _ There were also joyful demonstrations at the East Coast towns. "BRITISH REPLY TO THE SCARBOROUGH RAID " NICE BIRTHDAY SURPRISE FOR THE KAISER. (Rec. January 26, 1 a.m.) . London, January 25. The "Times" heads its leading article on tho sea fight: "Tho British reply to tho Scarborough raid," and sa.ys: "The Germans were caught steaming at-full speed on another of their murderous raids. Such is tho orushing reply of British sailors to faidcrtj whq bombard uudcl'o.uded towns uqci slauchtar heluless women children-

"The Admiralty's announcement shows that our grand Fleet has maintained its dominion of tie North Sea to a degree unsuspected by the nationIt is beKeved that the enemy was sighted somewhere near the Dogger Bank. The Blucher participated in the Scarborough raid, and richly deserved the fate. Tho moral of every straight sea fight in this war has been: 'Guns, gens, guns, coupled with speed.' "The Tames's" naval correspondent declares that the results so far offer fairly good evidence that our Navy is alert, and ready to give the enemy an opportunity of showing what it is made of whenever he cares to accent a.-fight. er We were told that the Kaiser's birthday on Wednesday would be made the occasion of a startling surprise for the British nation. Admiral Beatty. and his comrades have presented Lord Fisher with an appropriate present for his, (Lord Fisher's) birthday on Monday." Tho High Commissioner's report to the Prime Minister, dated London, January 25, 5.20 a.m., conveys the following:— "The 'Times' congratulates the people of New Zealand on tho good fortune which has attended their' splendid warship on her second appearance in aotion."-

NOTES ON THE FIGHTING SHIPS Vice-Admiral Sir Bavid Beatty 0 s fine squadron of battle-cruisers— the first cruiser squadron of the First Fleet-—has for the second time during the war achieved distinction in a sea encounter, the first being the engagement in the Heligoland Bight, when the timely arrival of the big cruisers put the finish-ing-stroke to a hot fight between our lighter vessels and some German cruisers. The flagship Lion, and the Princess Royal are sister vessels, completed in 1912. The normal displacement of each is 26,350 tons (full load 30,415 tons), complement of men 1000, and the cost, about £2,000,000. This class mounts eight 13.5-inch, guns, and sixteen 4-inch guns, as well as torpedo tubes. The New Zealand (our gift battle-cruiser), is classed with the Indefatigable, which class displaces 18,750 tons, carrie 3 800 men, and mounts eight 12-inch guns in the primary armament, and sixteen 4-inch guns in the _ secondary group. She cost nearly two millions sterling. The Indomitable is classed with the Invincible and Inflexible, which class is technically inferior to the Indefatigable class. The Indomitable mounts eight 12-inch guns and sixteen 4-inch guns, displaces 17,250 tons, carries a complement of 750, and cost £1,752,000. The battle-cruiser Tiger (sister ship to the Queen Mary), mounts eight 13.5-inch guns and sixteen 4-inch guns, displaces 27,000 tons, carries a complement of about 1000 men, and cost nearly £2,000,000. Generally speaking, the Tiger and Queen Mary are of the Lion type. Vice-Admiral Sir David Beatty, K.C.8., C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., has commanded the First Battle-cruiser Squadron since 1912, and is one of our most dashing naval commanders. He has seen service in the Sudan, and has displayed great initiative and resource at manoeuvres. He is also one of tho handsomest men in the Navy. Commodore Reginald Y. Tyrwhittis commander of the destroyer flotillas with the First Fleet, and flies his flag on the light cruiser Amethyst (3000 tons, twelve 4-inch guns)." T)ie Derflinger is Germany's newest battle-cruiser. She'was performing her trials when the war broke out, but was hurriedly completed and placed in commission. Her displacements is 26,200 tons. High speed and great fuel endurance are the outstanding features of this ship. The main battery consists of eight 12-inct guns. There are also twelve 5.9-inoh quick-firers, twelve 21-pounders, four submerged torpedo tubes, and some special antiaircraft guns. Her speed is 26$ knots, and she carries 1125 officers and men. The Seydlitz in design closely resembles the Mortke and the Goeben. She is cf 24,600 tons, and has a speed of 26£ knots, though she is reported to have attained over 28 knots on trial. Her armament is ten 11-inch, twelve 5.9-inch, twelve 21-pounders, with four submerged torpedo tubes. She is' a notorious coal-eater, and consumes an enormous amount- of fuel when running at high speed. She carries 1108 officers and men. The Moltke, sister to the Goeben, is of 22,600 tons, with a designed speed of 25 knots, but has done slightly over 28 knots. She has ten 11-inch, twelve 5.9-inch, and twelve 21-pounders, with four submerged torpedo tubes. Her complement is 1013 officers and men. The armoured cruiser Blucheri completed in 1209, is tho most modern of Germany's armoured cruisers, distinct from the battle-cruiser class. The Germans, acting on incorrect information, designed a cruiser which was far behind the Invmcibles in every respect. Tho Blucher displaces 16,500 tons, steams 25.8 knots, and carries twelve 8.2-inch, eight 5.9-inch, and sixteen 21-pounder guns, with four submerged torpedo tubes. The complement numbers 888 officers and men. The Blucher cost £1,349,000, and she now lies at the bottom of the sea. NEWS FROM THE AUSTRALIA Melbourne, January 25. Mails from the battleship Australia are expected within a few days. This will be the first communication for three months.