New Britain herald., 1915-01-28
kOlBERC REPORTED
 SUNK IN NORTH SEA
V.Cc Admiral Beatty Submits Report
 on Naval Battle.

London, Jan. 2S.-An official state ment issued last night says:
 The German cruiser Kolberg is re- ported to have been sunk in Sundays battle in the North Sea-
 The admiralty has received the fol- lowing preliminary telegraphic report from Vice Admiral Sir David BeattJ regarding the naval action:
 "A f1otilla of destroyers patrolling about 7:3O o'clock in the morning sighted and attacked the enemy whose force, according to the reports received, consisted of four battle crui- sers, six light cruisers and some de- stroyers. Their position when sighted was approximately fourteen miles east southeast of our battle cruiser squad ron.
 "Orders were given by signal to the destroyer fotiila to chase the enemy and to report their movements As it appeared that they had at once com menced to retire to the east south east, the battle cruisers were directed to steer southeast, with a view to se- curing the lee position and to cutting the enemy off if possible The situa- tion developed by degrees into a stern chase.
 Enemy Gradually Overhauled.
 Speed was worked up to 2S to % knots and the enemy were gradually being overhauled. At about 1S,0o0 yards a slow and deliberate fire was opened and we began to hit a range of IT, 900 yards. Our fire was returned by the enemy.
 ''The Lion and the Tiger, having drawn ahead of the remainder of tue squadron, were in action alone for some time and consequently were sub jected to the enemy's concentrated fire, more particularly the Lion, which ship suffered more as a result.
 ''The other vessels, as they drew up, engaged the enemy. A German flo- tilla of destroyers was disposed on tue starboard beam of their cruisers and an attack by them was driven off.
 Feed Tank Damaged.
 At about II o'clock, unfortunately, 1 a lucky shot damaged one of the Lions feed tanks, causing the port engine to be stopped. At the same time enemy submarines were observed on the starboard bow and a course was in order to avoid them.
 '"The Bluecher (German) was now in a critical condition, with her speed reduced, ana the lnOOInlldD1e, Nn1Cn had now come up, was directed to complete her destruction.
 '"The rest of the squadron were di- rected to attack the rear of the ene- my. The Lion, With escort, steered to the northwest, steaming with one en- zine, and l transferred my flag to one of the destrOyerS and subsequently, to the Princess Royal. Through the dam age to the Lions feed tank by an unfortunate chance shot, we were un- doubtedly deprived of a greater vic | tory. The presence of the enemy's submarines subsequently, necessitated the action being broken off
 Kolberg Also Sunk.
 "The result of the action was that the Buecher was sunk and two other battle cruisers were heavily on fire and seriously damaged. The German prisoners reported also that the Kol- from our squadron.
 subsequently the starboard en- zines of the Lion also developed trouble from the same cause as the port engines and the Indomitable took her in tow and brought her into port The damage to the Lion and the Tiger is in neither case serious and repairs can be completed in a short time. The remainder of the squadron were not hit
 Casualties Very Slight.
 The casualties were very slight. The death of Engineer Captain c.