THE DESTROYERS' NIGHT PURSUIT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXI, Issue LXXI, 10 June 1916, Page 5

THE DESTROYERS' NIGHT PURSUIT.

BOYS OF BULLDOG BREED AT

THEIR BEST

VIVID STORY OF PLUCK AND

KEENNESS,

A JOYOUS; RACE TO GRIPS WITH

DEATH

(Received 'June 10, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, June 9. The Sparrowhawk's crew give vivid details of the destroyer's night pursuit. The Sparr'owhawk and other destroyers were busy in the daytime encircling Admiral Jeilicoe's battleships and praying for dusk to give them a chance to get among the enemy. The moment it was dark enough the destroyers slipped off and raced with every pound of steam available, the Tipperary leading. Every man knew what was expected of him. The Sparrowhawk's crew'started up a popular song, the next ship took up the refrain, and ere long the men on all the ships were singing as they raced along until the flotilla commander reluctantly ordered the singing to stop, and the men to keep quiet. Presently the Germans'.* hulls became visible through the gloom, and at almost the same instant the Germans began to fire at the Tipperaory. She was the first hit. and soon sank After she had launched, two torpedoes at a German cruiser. The Sparrowhawk was now leading, and several shells hit her, but she fired, two torpedoes, which apparently got home. Suddenly a German cruiser rammed the Sparrowhawk, and sliced off her bow, but she remained afloat firing her guns. Next her stern was blown off, but the remainder stlli floated. A British warship rescued the crew and blew up the derelict.