BRITISH PLUCK

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3063, 26 April 1917, Page 5

BRITISH PLUCK

.;:;■■■- ■ ..;• ■ » ■ ■ -;,: ,-.. .' : A'TALE OF ANZAC. ■'"'. '. : 'Ah incident which typifies the spirit , which permeated all ranks of the various'forces that fought at. Gallipoli is ' told by Major Waite, 1X5.0., who saw a, good deal of the fighting at Anzac. . \ The AJbion, a large British' cruiser, in engaging the TurKish forts, ran too close, in and .grounded in a lede;e of rock. She was under heavy artillery lire at' the time, and her guns were replying with vigour. As soon, as' she grounded, two river destroyers caine to her: assistance and tugged their hardest, while tho Albion's propellers did their utmost, but all without avaiL The destroyers sought cover again, and the Albion lay'there, the target of all the Turkish guns". She was heavily hit ■ in several places, but the big ship did not ■ take her punishment quietly. Every available gun raked the Turkish ." position; She appeared to spit fire from evefjj gun'port and every part of her decks , . Herbig guns ' delivered their terrific blows, and every time one of them fired the ship twisted and sprang like a boxer who gives, way a little after planting a body blow: The Albion appeared to bo m a serious plight. Many, a man in the trenches along tho miles: of hills almost wept because ho could riot, help her. But the shipvwas going to die game.' Thon the Canopus,, a sister ship, came out, and tho ten destroyers followed. Altogether they hauled,' and as they hauled they all fought.their guns furiously'.. At last the Albion 'moved and swerved away into deep water, arid out of range of tho Turkish guns, fight-' ■ ing; still: ,Her rescue was greeted by cheers that rolled along the coast like the sound of a breaking wave.