THE NAVAL FIGHT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14205, 6 February 1915, Page 6

THE NAVAL FIGHT.

Ptost Association—Electric TeWraph—Copyright LONDON, Friday.

The Bluchers wounded, describing tho gunfiro, state that tho British opened out at fifteen kilometres. Some of tho shots fell into tho sea, raising vast columns of water. With a strange fascination they watched tho deadly water spouts creeping nearer. Then shells fell thick and fast from tho sky, with a horrible droning hum. The electric plant Avas soon destroyed, and tho ship -iras ia darkness.

There vrw horrible confusion bolow. Tho shells plunged through tho decks, boring their way into tho stokehold. The shells, reaching the engine-rooms, licked up tho oil and spread it around in bluo aud green flames. Tho men wore huddled together in dark compartments, but tho shells found them.

Tho terrific air pressuro seemed to roar in evory opening, bonding tho iron doors like tin plates, breaking off the fixtures and converting them into missiles, whirling men like dead leaves until they wore battered to death. Tho iron Avails in the engine room, where there Aroro high velocity engines, forced tho draught, and men wero Hung to a horiblo death amidst tho machinery. As the broadsides struck tho Blucher sho rocked like a cradle, and finally the bell which rang for church parade tolled, and tho survivors crept up to the docks. Some through the shotholes sang "Tho Watch on the Rhino."

Tho British fire was now silent, and destroyers ready to rescue, when the Blucher turned wearily over and disappeared.