New Britain herald., 1914-09-01
BRITISH SAILORS TELL
 OF SEA ENCOUNTER
1hraing Details Of Naval Battle If Regland Iurnish,d


 British ships engaged in the fight with the Germans off Helgoland who arr ! rived at Harwich furnish additional details of the naval engagement off trap set by the British commodore to draw the Germans out.
 One of these sailors, who said he was among those who were used 'as live bait,'' said to a correspondent of the Daily News and Leader: ,a
 "The bait was slowly. pushed temptingly forward tilL at last the at tention of the German uoats, feeling. as they thought, perfectly secure un- der protection of their own land de- fences, was attracted.
 Fired on Fearless.
 "A German cruiser came out and fired on the Fearless We made running fight to egg them on and two running fight to egg them on and two a couple of torpedo boats and a de- stroyer all had a pop at us.
 Then the smaller boats of the f1otflla began to buzz around. We had drawn them out all right and the commodore signalled for general ac- ton. Then the. f1otillas commenced to close sround.
 By this time the Fearless was in the thick of it. All her guns were in action and the boys landed their shots grandly. We sent one of the cruisers to the bottom and looked for more.v The Arethusa was hav- ing a rough time of it. A couple of the enemy's torpedo boats were pounding away at her and she was being badly pressed. In dashed the Fearless and threw all her weight into the fight She manoeuvered grandly and managed to send one of the tor pedo boats below.
 She'll Sets the NIainz Afire.
 Shortly afterward the Mainz burst into flames, apparently as the result of an explosion caused by we'll di- rected shell. The whole ship seemed suddenly to be enveloped in flames. We could not say which of the de- stroyers inflicted the mortal blow, but they all gathered round like flies to rescue the German sailors in the water.
 The Fearless was struck nineteen times, but for the number of, hits
 
 small.
 berth, was compelled for some time to destroyers.
 Kills Four Men.
 ''The first shell to hit the Laurel found its way to the engine room killing four men. The second struck the forward gun, tanning a charge which was just about to be fired and killing three men. The third strike wounded Commander Frank Rose ser iously in the left leg, but though urged by his men to go below he shifted his weight to the other leg and continued to issue his orders as though nothing had happened.
 "All this time the Laurel was mak- ing it desperately uncomfortable for the two destroyers with which she was engaged, one of which shortly after ward went to the bottom. She was giving as good as she was getting from the cruiser as well. A piece of the fourth shell struck the commander on his sound leg and brought him down on the bridge, but he still de- clined to give way though his signal man insisted on tearing off his trous- CTS to prevent his wounds from being poisoned. He continued to fight his ship until he lost consciousness, just after he had learned they had man. aged to extract the charge from the damaged gun.
 Saved by Last Shell. 'As he lay :. unconscious on the bridge one of the petty officers put lifebelt around him. for by this time only three rounds of amm unition :. re- mained, and though the British cruis- CTS had appeared on the scene it seemed impossible that the Laurel could live much longer in the fire to which she was exposed. "A final shell struck her amidships. enveloping her in dense cloud of dust and smoke and all on board were certain that she was going to the bot tom. That last shell, however, was to prove her salvation, for the cloud hung to her as she lay helpless on the water. and though the cloud was split 1 in all directions by the enemy's pro- l jectiles not s>ne succeeded in finding ! her in the heart of it. There was not the slightest furry, though even the satisfaction of fighting had been taken l from the men. 'Good-by, old man. said a blue | jacket, bleeding to death over the l forecastle, to his mate stretched on 1 deck beside him.
 ] My times up, too,' replied the l other, calmly reaching out a hand to l him, and with that handclasp they 1 died. 1 "Twenty-two men were killed or l wounded"