THE NAVAL WAR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17199, 20 June 1916, Page 7

THE NAVAL WAR.

SKAGER RACK VICTORY. THE KING'S THANKS. CONGRATULATES GRAND FLEF/C DID ALL THAT WAS POSSIBLE i By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received June 19, 6.20 p.m.) LONDON, June 19. The King inspected the whole Grand Fleet and visited wounded naval men in Scottish hospitals. , The Press Bureau says:—;The King,' addressing a parade, representative of the units of the Grand Fleet,- said:— You waited nearly two years with most exemplary patience for an opportunity of meeting and engaging the enemy's fleet. I can well understand how trying this period has been and how great was the ' relief when you knew on May 81 that the enemy was sighted. The unfavourable weather conditions and the approaching darkness prevented the complete result you all expeoted, but you did all that was possible under the circumstances and drove the enemy into his harbours. You inflicted on him the severest losses, adding another page to the glorious traditions of the British Navy. You could do no more. For our spleyndid work I thank you. The King, a* the conclusion of his visit, sent the following message to Admiral Jellicoe: — I am thankful for this opportunity of congratulating you and the Grand Fleet on the result of the recent engagement at sea. Assure all ranka and ratings tha* the name 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 success.

VICTORY DECISIVE AND GLORIOUS.

AN EXPERT'S VIEWS.

LONDON, June 18,

Admiral Sir Cyprian Bridge, in an article forecasting Admiral Sir John Jellicoe's despatch, said, that he was convinced that it would show a victory as decisive and as glorious as that on the first of June, and nearly, if not quite, as decisive as Rodney's on April 12, 1782. It would also, show that we were superior in strategy, tactics, gunnery and enterprise. Never had there been finer leading or more gallant following. . ~,„,,- i Hood and' Arbutlraot had left behind them'names covered with glory. The captains, officers and ships' companies had responded nobly, and the violence of Admiral Beatty's attacks had demoralised and confused the enemy. The Germans admitted that ab-erman ship rammed the Elbing and it was understood that the enemy also rammed one or two of their own submarines. The ships were ordered to retreat to shelter and skeltered to safety, failing to preserve then- forma. Our losses were less heavy than students of naval war under modern condi* tions expected. PRINCE ALBERT. BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN IN BATTLE. (Received June 19, 9 p.m.) LONDON, June 19. It is »understood that Prince Albert was serving as a sub-lieutenant on a battleship which participated in tha Skager Rack battle. GERMAN LOSSES. ONE-THIRD OF NAVAL POWER OUT OF ACTION. MEN IN CIVILIAN CLOTHES. (Received June 19, 8.5 p.m.) LONDON, June 19. Tho newspaper "Scotsman" states that advices from neutral* ports indicate that the Skagef Rack battle put out of action one-third of Germany's effective naval power. Neutrals ; are speculating concerning men in civilian clothing found drifting amongst the bodies of German sailors. The view is largely held that they represented another effort to create trouble in Ireland.