THE GREAT NAVAL BATTLE.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 14196, 7 June 1916, Page 5

THE GREAT NAVAL BATTLE.

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HINDENBURC AND LUTZOW SUNK.

GERMAN OFFICIAL LIES

DENIED,

OFFICERS' DESCRIPTION OF THE

BATTLE,

SIR JJAVID BEATTY'S MANOE-

UVRING

LOSS OF THE QUEEN MARY

STRICKEN IN ~THE FIRST TWO

MINUTES,

QUICKLY FOLLOWED BY THE

INDEFATIGABLE^

THE DESTROYER ACTION.

London, June o. It is believed that the Hindenburg succumbed to a destroyer's attack.

The*latter's attack was one of the most stirring spectacles in the1 struggle.

A vessel believed to be the Hindenburg was struck in quick succession by four torpedoes and was literally blown to pieces.

British officers who participated in the battle confirm the report that the Hindenburg and Lutzow were sunk.

The Admiralty characterises as baseless the German official statement that a submarine destroyed a British destroyer off the Humber and that the German fire destroyed the Euryalus in battle off the Skagerack. The Eurylas was absent from the battle.

No men are reported saved from the Indefatigable, Defence, Black Prince, Tipperary, Turbulent, Nomad, and Nestor.

A navul officer who lias readied Edinburgh states that Sir David Beatty was steering south-west and had the worst possible position for visibility, (.lirect sunlight silhouetting the hulls on the sky-line to the erjjliT.y. Sir David Beatty, however, followed Admiral Cradock's example in the Chilian battle, and gave the order to engage. He signalled: "Take up your battle stations."'

"The Germans were sighted at 3.30 and fighting commenced afc 3.50.

"Sir David Beatty hauled oft' to manoeuvre into a better position, while the Germans, knowing that momentarily they possessed an enormous superiority, did not lose a moment. The big ships, at 10,000 yards, began pounding each other over a, screen of destroyers, the shells soon passing with a hurricane-like roar. It was deafening.

"Within two minutes a 'misfortune -overtook the British. The full salvo of a German Dreadnought struck the Queen Mary, finding a, vulnerable spot. In a cloud of steam and with a roar like thunder the ship blew up and was engulfed. The commander, Sir Charles Blanc, who only joined the Queen Mary in April, was killed by the explosion of a shell before the vessel sank. Two of his brothers were killed in France.

"The loss of the Queen Mary was bad but worse* was to come. "Fifteen minutes later the Indefatigable was sunk. The' Germans' sensational success was due to the first salvoes, but their' marksmanship deteriorated directly we replied. As the engagement proceeded their gunlaying was greatly inferior to the British. We have devoted twelve years' training to the gunners, and the Germans three years. The light proved the immeasurable superiority of our

rating.

'•Clouds of steam and flying masses of metal told how we were punishing the Germans, but the odds being overwhelming, the German commander sought to press his advantage, lie ordered tho ' destroyers to close with our flotilla. They paid dearly lor their venture. We completely put out the enexr.y, wiping out several without sustaining loss.

"Tho fighting continued at 2o knots. The sight was awesome, shells striking tho sea and exploding as though coming in contact with a wall. We saw British destroyers buckle and disappear. We passed bodies of mangled num." It was impossible to spare a moment to succour the drowning.

"Four battle-cruisers, hacked by some third-line ships, were now fighting the whole German High Sea Fleet, taking their toll ship for ship, and manoeuvring for some time .until Sir John Jellicoe should come up. Firing

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astern, the German tried to envelop us. We avoided the trap.

"At 8.15 the Grand Fleet was seen on the horizon and the Germans began to scamper home. Admiral Jellicoe pursued, the German's scattering in different directions, sending up vast curtains of smoke. They had no stomach for the fight. Their 15-inch guns were now firing, not broadsides, but over the stern.

"The destroyers kept up the chase throughout the night, doing great execution, the enemy running for Heligoland and the Baltic. Admiral Beatty's ships, including the New Zealand, accompanied thorn. Sir John Jellicoe made a 'thorough search of the battle ground, vainly i.; v;. 1; _ : f 0! - an opportunity to strike a further blow."