TERRIBLE CARNAGE IN THE NORTH SEA FIGHT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15832, 1 February 1915, Page 5

TERRIBLE CARNAGE IN THE NORTH SEA FIGHT.

ENEMY SHIPS SWEPT BY BRITISH SHELLS.

HORRIFIED SAILORS LEAP INTO THE SEA.

GERMANY'S CRIPPLED CRUISERS PLACED IN DOCK.

(Received January 31, 7.30 p.to.)

London, January 30.

The Germans who were rescued by the British in the North Sea fight represent every large ship and most of the smaller ships which comprised the German squadron. They were horrified by the carnage aboard their ships. Scores leapt overboard, preferring death by drowning to what they regarded as certain death aboard. They state that practically every German ship was swept by British shells and took fire. The Germans were unable to do more than to trust to their engines to take them out of the action. The loss of life was very great. Some of the German sailors who were rescued had been driven insane.

A petty officer of the Blucher, describing the fight, explained Badly : " Ours is a young navy ; yours is more experienced."

Advices from Amsterdam state that over 200 German bluejackets •who were wounded in the North Sea fight have traversed Hamburg. The German battle-cruisers Seydlitz and Moltke are lying at Cuxhaven greatly damaged. The battle-cruiser Derflinger is repairing at Hamburg. She is also seriously damaged.

Wolff's Agency, of Berlin, denies the sinking of the German light cruiser Kolberg, reported by German survivors in England.