SINKING THE BLUCHER.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13602, 6 February 1915, Page 3

SINKING THE BLUCHER.

EFFECT/ OF BRITDSH GUNFIRE DESCRIBED.

LONDON, Feb. 5. The ' .Rlucher's wounded, . describing «ur gunfire, state that the British opened at 15 kilometres. . Some of the shells fell into the sea, raising vast columns of water. "We had a strange fascination, and watched the deadly waterspouts creeping nearer. Then the sheila fell thick and fast from the sky with a horrible droning hum. The electric plant was soon destroyed and the ship in darkness. There was horrible confusion below.

"Shells plunged through the decks and bored their way into the stokehold. A* the bunkers were half empty, they burnt merrily. i^ater, the trajectory flattened and tore holes in the Bhicher's aides. Sheik on reaching the enginerooms licked up the oil and spread it around in blue-green flames. Men were huddled together in. dark compartments, but the shells found them.

"The terrific air pressure from the explosion in the confined space left the deepest impression on the survivors. The aii* seemed to roar out of every opening, bending iron doors like tin plates, breaking off fixtures and converting them into missiles and whirling men like dead leaves until battered to death against the iron walls.

"In the engine-room, where the high Telocity engines for the forced drauglit were running, men were flung to a horfible death in the midst of the machinery.

"As the broadsides struck the Bluchet «he rocked like a cradle.

"Finally the bell which wa-s rung for church parade tolled, and the survivors crept up on the decks, some through the shot holes.

"They sang the 'Wacht am Rhine.' "'Permission was then given to leave the uhip. "The British firo. was now silent, and destroyers were ready for the, rescue. "The Blucher turned wearily over and disappeared."