ADMIRAL BEATTY'S REPORT ON HIS VICTORY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15830, 29 January 1915, Page 5

ADMIRAL BEATTY'S REPORT ON HIS VICTORY.

ENEMY OVERHAULED AFTER STERN CHASE!

LION AND TIGER BEAR BRUNT OF ACTION.

SECOND GERMAN CRUISER SAID TO BE SUNK.

Br Teleeraph—Press Association —Copyright.

London, January 28.

Vice-Admiral Sir David Beatty's report of the naval action in the North Sea states: "Destroyers at 7.30 a.m. sighted four German battle-cruisers, six light cruisers and some destroyers 14 miles east-south-east of our position. I directed a battle-cruiser to steer southeast to secure a lee position and cut off the enemy, but the action developed into a stern chase. Our speed was 28 to 29 knots. Gradually we overhauled the enemy. At a range of 18,000 yds we opened a slow and deliberate fire. We began to hit at 17,000 yds, the enemy

returning our fire

"The Lion and Tiger having drawn ahead bore the enemy's concentrated fire for some time, the Lion suffering most. The German destroyers attacked, but were driven off. A shot damaged one of the Lion's feed tanks at 11 o'clock, stopping her port engine. The Lion's course was altered to avoid the enemy's submarines, and the admiral's flag was transferred to the Princess Royal. The disablement of the Lion deprived us of a greater victory. The presence of the enemy's submarines subsequently necessitated the breaking off of the engagement.

" The Blucher was sunk, and two other battle-cruisers were heavily afire, and seriously damaged. Prisoners report that our oversalvoes sank the light cruiser Kolberg. Subsequently the Lion's starboard engines developed trouble, and she was towed into port- The damage to the Lion and Tiger is not serious- The remainder of our ships were not hit. The behaviour of the officers and men was only what was to be expected. Great credit is due to the cngineroom staffs for the fine steaming of the squadron." LUCKY SHOT THAT DAMAGED THE LION. BRITISH DEPRIVED OF GREATER VICTORY.

Wellington, January 28.

The Prime Minister has received the following cable from the High Commissioner, dated London, January 27: —"The Admiralty announce that a Parliamentary report, has been received from Vice-Admiral Beatty regarding the naval action on Sunday i-n the North Sea, The enemy force'consisted of four battle-cruisers, six light cruisers, and some destroyers. ,A slow, deliberate fire was opened at 18,000 yds, and we began to hit at a range of 17,000 yds.

" The Lion and the Tiger were in the action alone for some time. Consequently they were subjected to the enemy's concentrated fire, particularly the Lion, which suffered more than the Tiger. The other vessels as they drew up, engaged the German flotilla of destroyers, which was on the starboard beam of the German cruisers. An attack by the destroyers was driven off.

" At 11 o'clock a lucky shot damaged one of the Lion's feed tanks, causing a stoppage of the port engine. At the same time enemy submarines were observed on the starboard bow. A course was steered to avoid them, and Vice-Admiral Beatty transferred bis flag to the Princess Royal. Through the damage to the Lion's feed tank by a chance shot we were undoubtedly deprived of a greater victory.

" Prisoners reported that the German cruiser Kolberg was also sunk. The behaviour of our officers and men was only what was to be expected. Great credit is due to the cngineroom staffs for the fine steaming of the squadron."

The Koloerg was a third-class cruiser of 4232 tons, laid down in 1908 and completed in 1910. She was a sister ship to the Koln and Mainz, sunk in the Heligoland fight. She carried twelve 4.1 in guns, fovr 2.lin guns, four machineguns. and two torpedo tubes, and was capable of a speed of 25.5 knots. Her complement numbered 379.