Oxford eagle., 1914-09-10

N"eastmtnt on HelgOlaud
In which British vessels sank Ave Ger.
man ships and killed 900 men has
reached here in a letter 10 relatives
from young lieutenant who was ON
one OF the British torpedo boat de.
stroyers. II reads:
AS to our fight OF Helisoland
tnink the home papers are magnify.
ing what really was but an affair Of
outposts- We destroyers went in and
iured the enemy out and had lots O,
excitement. The big fellows then came
up and afforded some excellent target
practice. and We we're very glad to see
them come; but you ought not to con.
sider that ve had a fight. because II
was massacre, not a fght.
Just a Case Of Bonbardmeot
There was superb generalship and
overwhelming forces on the spot. but
there was really nothing for them to
DO except 10 shoot the enemy. even AZ
pa shoots pheasants
Have you ever noticed a dog rush
In on a flock Of sheep and scatter
them! He goes for the nearest and
barks and goes so much faster than
the flock that ii punches up with its
companions. The dog then barks at
another and the sheep spread out fan
wise. so in front OF the dog there is a
semi-eircle Of sheep and behind him
none.
Tells Of the Battle.
That was much what We did at Z
a m on August IS. The sheep we're
the German torpedo craft. which fell
back on the limits OF our range and
tried to lure us within the FIRE OF the
Helgoland forts. hut a cruiser then
came out and engaged our Arethusa
and they had a real heart to heart talk.
while We looked on. and a few OF US
tried to shoot at the enemy. too.
though Il vas beyond our distance.
We we're getting nearer Helgoland
all the time. There was a thick mist
and I expected every minute to find
the forts on the island bombarding us,
so the Arethusa presently drew OF.
after landing at least one good shell
on the enemy. The enemy gave every
bit as good as he got there.
We then reformed. but a strong de-
stroyer belonging to the submarines
got chased. and the Arethusa and
Fearless went back to look after IT,
We presently heard hot action
astern. so the captain in command OF
the fotilla turned us around and we
went back to help But they had driven
the enemy OF and on our arrival told
rs TO form up on the Arethusa-
Cruiser Fires on ships-
When We had partly formed and
we're very much punched together.
making a fre target. suddenly out Of
the mist arrived ave or six shells from
a point not i59 yards away. We ga<ed
at whence they came and again Eve or
six stAbs OF FIRE pierced the FOG. and
We made out a four fHnneled German
cruiser Of the Breslau class
Those stabs we're its guns going
OF We waited Is seconds and the
shots and noise OF its guns arrived
pretty well from 80 yards away. Its
next salvo OF shots vent above Us. and
I ducked as they xhirred overhead
like e covey Of fast partridges-
You would suppose our captain had
done this sort OF thing all his life He
went full speed ahead at once. upon
the first salvo. TO string the bunch out
and thus offer less target The com
modore from the Arethusa made a sig
nal to Us to attack with torpedoes. So
We swung round at right angles and
charged full speed at the enemy like
an hussar attack.
Catches Debris From Shells
Our boat got away at the start mag
nificentIy and led the field. so all the
enemys firing vas aimed at us for the
next ten minutes. when We got so close
that debris from their shells fell on
board. Then We altered our course and
SO threw them out in their reckoning OF
our speed and they had all their work
to do over again
Humanity speaking. our captain by
twisting and turning at psychological
r,oments saved US Actually. feel
that We we're in Gods keeping that
day. After ten minutes We got near
enough TO fire our torpedo. Then We
turSed back to the Arethusa- Next
our follower arrived Just where We
had been and fired its torpedo. and OF
course the enemy fired at II instead
Of us. What blessed relief.
After the destroyers came the
Fearless. and il stayed on the scene.
soon we found It was engaging a three
funneler. the Mainz. so on we started
again. now for the Mainz. the situa-
,iou being that the crippled Arethusa
was too tubby to do anything but oe
defended by US, its children.
Draw Fire Of the Enemy.
scarcely. however. had We started
when. from out of the mist and across
our front, in furious pursuit came tns
frst cruiser squadron OF the towr
class the Birmingham. and each UNI
a match for three like the Mainz Al
Nc looked and reduced speed the,
oreued fire. and the clear bang oans
ST. PETERSBURG NOW