The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1914-09-03
BRITISH SINK FIVE
GERMAN WARSHIPS

London, Sept Twenty mine killed
and 3S wounded was the price in men
paid by the British for the naval ac-
ton against the Germans in Heligoland
waters. ....
An official statement issued last
night says that of 1900 men composing
the crews of the five German warships
sunk off Heligoland, only $50 were
saved ...., .."r
The British losses are described as
follows: THE light cruiser Arethusa
lost Lieut.. Eric Westmascott and nine
men killed, four men seriously wounded
and Lieutenant Robinson and IL men
wounded, but no seriously.
The torpedo boat destroyer Liberty
lost Lieutenant Commander Bartellot
and six men killed one man who has
since died from wounds, one danger
ously wounded, five seriously wounded
and FIVE slightly wounded.
THE destroyer Laurel suffered 10
men killed. one has since died of his
wounds. two men dangerously wounded,
seven seriously wounded and two
slightly wounded"
The Liberty, one OF the British de-
stroyers which took part I'm the battle
off Heligoland. was hit by a shell.
which shattered her mast and tore
away part of her bridge first of all,
and then smashed her searchlights and
killed her commander, Lieutenant
Butcher, his signalman.
Accounts OF the battle say 1t was
perfect in execution as we'll as in
plan. Led at dawn by fearless, small
detachment, the destroyers swept
within the German lines between
Heligoiand and the German coast
An aeroplane sighted them and gave
the news to the Germans, whose de-
stroyers then came out. The British
destroyers lured the Germans to the
open sea, where other destroyers were
waiting. spread out in fame shape.
Got Quick Range. s#
A small engagement followed and
then the German cruisers came out.
The British light cruiser Arethusa, aft
er q sighting shot, got her range splen-
didly and hit the foremost gun OF one
of the German cruisers, demoiishing 1t.
The Arethusa then fired a few broad
sides at the enemy. Her practice was
excellent. She hit a German cruiser,
which at once burst into smoke and
flames. but soon afterwards a German
shot did some damage to the engine
room of the Arethusa. .. ...
The destroyers Liberty and Laertes
fought a grand fight A shell brought
down the mast Of the Liberty. The
Laertes was hit amidships. a hole was
shot through her funnel. her forward
guns were damaged and she received
4
shot aft, which wrecked her cabin.
Ii was hot work, but at that moment
the British light cruisers and battle
cruisers appeared II was the moment
for which they had been waiting and
their execution was deadly. The first
shot from one of the British battle
cruisers sank German cruiser. which
had been battering a destroyerg The
German fleet then turned and fled in
the direction of CuXhaven, but was
pursued by British Gcstroyers which
did terrible execution with their four
inch guns. la
Many OF the Germans landed after
the battle from the British ships were
wounded by revolver bullets. 1t Is de-
clared the revolyers were used by Ger
man officers TO prevent their men from
surrendering TO the British boats,
which had put off TO. save their drown
ing opponents Some OF the Germans.
1t is said. were fired upon by German
cruisers. &
London. Sept Ian official state
ment issued last night in describing
the action between the British and
German warshins Off Heligoiand says:
The principles OF the operating was
scouting movement hy strong force
os 6estroyere TO cut off tho German
light craft frora home and engage them
at leisure in the open sea-"
After briefly describing tho sinking of
three German cT1isers--the Mainz,
Coeln and Ariadne, the statement con-
eInuSS:
although only two OF the enemy's
destroyerss were actually observed to
sink, most OF the other Is of 20 boats,
rounded up and attacked were we'll
scattered flight.
THE superior gunpower and strength