THE NAVAL BATTLE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXV, Issue 10713, 6 July 1915, Page 5

THE NAVAL BATTLE.

RUSSIAN SQUADRON DOES GREAT EXECUTION. (Koc«ivetl Ltt&c .Night, U. 20 o clock.) PKIIOGIiAD, July 5. The cruisers Rurik, Makaroff, Bayan, Bogatyr, and Oleg were returning from operations in the Southern Baltic, when they encountered at fcT o'clock m the morning, between tne island of Gothland and the Courland Coast, a squadron consisting of the Augsburg, Albatross, and tmee destroyers. The fog was so dense that the opposing; ships were at times swallowed up in, the darkness. Hence, the gunhiyer* found- it difficult to maintain an accurate fire. The Russians -manoeuvred in order to intercept, the retreat of the German destroyers, meanwhile attacking with gunfire, and torpedoes, none of which found their mark. The destroyers were forced 10 retire from the crushing salvoes of the Russian guns. . The Augsburg, half an hour af ter the -beginning of the action, found the Russian fire too hot, and abandoned the fight. The Albatross made off at top speed, the fog enabling her to escape. . „ ... . t ■The Bernran destroyers le-atiacked, pouring off a thick volume or black smoke in he endeavour to screen the Albatross, which was evidently doomed. ' By 9 o'clock clouds of steam arose, and the Albatross took a list to starboard. Then she hauled down her llag. and made for the coast.. As she was rapidly entering neiitral . waters, . the Russians ceased fire. The Albatross ran ashore. >' The Russians »tlxen continued northwards .until Iff, when they sighted several ships, 'including the Roon, the Atigsberg, four destroyer®, and several submarines. The Russians immediately ioineed in battle. Half an hour later the German ships began to retreat, the submarines unsuccessfully attacking the Russians. The Rurik, which brought up the rear, now engaged cruisers of the Roon and Bremen classes, the hitter having just arrived. The Augsberg, which was damaged in the previous action, kept at a respectful distance. The Rurik, working her guns brilliantly, silenced the Roon s-■- 8 inchers one 'after another, until only one replied, while flames were from the Boon's. decks. Fearing complete destruction, the German cruisers disappeared : n the fog. , . Towards the end of the action, a submarine again attacked the i.urik, which beat off her assailant. The Russian casualties were only fourteen wounded, none beirg klll6 After the engagement, the battle squadron joined the cruisers, and a flotilla of destroyers protected the larger craft from German submarines, whose presence the patrol boats had _ One submarine attempted .o torpedo the Rurik. but was .riven off by the destroyer VrimateTyn, which, however, was itself damaged.