New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-03-15
WATCHED BLUCHER
SINK In BATTLE
Continued from page I

Continued from page
the five big chaps in front were letting
drive for all they were worth. 1t was
something 70 remember, especially
when whole salvos were fired, at which
our ships were superior apparently, or
else the Germans did not want to spare
the time to slow their ships (Which, in
any case, should not be necessary.
At the beginning we were about mid
way between the firing lines, and the
noise was frightful when the broad
sides were fired and the great 1875 inch
famed out like great torches. We
could see the shells falling even when
they were on the horizon, as great pill
lars of spray went up. We had now
edged over more to our own ships, and
it was at this time that one began to
feel little doubtful, because although
so many of the German shells were
falling too high or too low, many
seemed to be striking our ships, while
il was too far away TO see properly
the effect Of our shells (of course, |
mean for us on deck. No doubt Il
things were going. Then the lndOm
table gradually fell behind and we
passed across her while she steamed
over to port. Then the Lion was dis
abled-you will have seen all about 1t
in the papers. WAS astonished that
so much had been made public, as We
had been expressly warned not 10 say
anything about injuries 20 the Lion,
when this morning | read a full de-
scription Of it all in the papers. The
Germans had a certain amount OF
ground for saying that they sunk one
OF our ships. as the Lion stopped and
listed over and certainly looked rs II
she meant going under.
However, we proceeded: then came
our share, which have not seen men
toned in the papers. but perhaps it IS
as well, as tho German prisoners say
they have our ships IN view exactly rs
we did the Emden. The signal then
came from the admiral that Arethusa
should take the lead at the head OF the
line. I suppose with the idea of cutting
off the Germans by torpedo. Anyhow.
IL was stiff order, and ! thought our
number was up, as We were already
well within the line of fine, and several
big uns had dropped unpleasantly close
TO our poor little unprotected snip.
ANYWAY. our commodore evidently
thought Likewise. and instead of pass
ing up between the lines, which would
pretty surely have lost us some Ships,
we made 20 go astern of our line.
Well Within Germans Range.
7 might mention that we. were well
within range OF the Germans during
this time, who apparently could not
snare one of their 1t-inch guns for Us,
which was a good thing, as ono from
them would not leave much OF the
Arethusa. ] think. Their shells were
beginning TO fail n little too near MS
for safety. and We really thought we
we're in for IL a first one big one tel
lust short this was my side port.
The next came with a horrible shrek
ing noise and passed over the snip just
abaft the mast and damaged our port
aerial. then began to think thai the
next would find the range, but fortu-
nately It passed Just astern. We had
very warm time for a while, as you
must understand that the ship is quite
UNPROTECTED, and we have no protec-
ton but only light shields at our guns
in fact. the shield of my gun has
twice been burst in by the seas.
The German ships appeared 20 be on
fire more than once, and at last there
was no doubt about one Of them-the
Butcher. 1t was then that our turn
came, and as her fire slackened we
quickly came up with her and started
with our bow siX-inch with !yddlte.
This is terrible destructive shell, and
when our big ships were firing their
shells on exploding caused clouds OF
yellow smoke. our p port batter or
four-inch also came into play, but un-
fortunately all this time | had 10 stand
idly BIZ with shell IN my arms "a
none Of the guns on our side got
chance: this was rather trying.
The Butcher was now out OF action,
and the Arethusa gave the coup de
grace" By slipping in two torpedoes at
her iust as we slowed around. These
caused frightful havoc, one bursting in
the engine room and the other Just be
low the fore turret, and rapidly caused
her to capsze. She was before this
battered wreck on deck. practically all
her gun crews were killed and her Of
fcers drove the men from the stoke
hold at their sword points 10 reman the
guns. This was told by the German
prisoners aboard, and one or twO Of
them have wounds which they said hal
been caused By their own officers
swords. At this time the order was
given 70 lower boats, and | was busy IN
getting out the whaler on our side OF
the ship. OF course, the cease fire"
had already been sounded.
That Job being finished, | crossed
over 10 the port side and saw sight
] shall never forget. The Butcher
which had capsizad. was lying awash,
with her side just out Of the water and
men standing on il, while all around
there seemed hundreds swimming and
drifting in cork jackets toward US. We
were very close; in fact. IL seemed dan
gerously 80. | shall never forget that
sight nor what followed later. ! think
il was more affecting than anything.
Anyway, we started TO drag them IN
M the ships side, and in this way and
nv the boats we got 123 on board,
while the destroyers also saved lot.
Some were badly burned-we got six
officers in the above.
Well. we got our boats in, and had
scarcely done when I'm blest II one of
their beastly Taubes did not try and
thank Us by dropping bombs on Us. He
vas fairly low down and | dashed be
low and got some rifles. lie was then
lowering over our port quarter, lust
edeing in nearer and nearer. when our
Hotchnss started at him, as we'll as
the destroyers, and after dropping
thrss bombs, which fell Just astsTn Of