The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-25

London, Jan. 24.-The most
powerful German fleet that has
ventured to the open yea since the
war began. was crushingly defeat
ed In the North Sea today by the
British battle cruiser squadron,
under the victor Of Helgoland,
Vice-Admiral Sir David Beatty.
Surprised into an action which
they tried desperately to avoid.
the Kaiser's battle cruisers Der
finger, Scyditx and Moitkc. his
finest armorcd cruiser, the Blue
cher, and several light cruisers,
were hammered I'm n running
fight that lasted three hours and
half, by Admiral Beatty's hat
tie cruisers Tiger. IAon. Princess
Royal, New Zealand and indoaDdt-
able. assisted by a few light cruts-
ers and destroycrs.
At p. NJ, when the battle-which
had covered more than one hundred
miles at such speed as was never be-
fore known in naval warfare--had
carried the British pursuers to the
very fringe of the mine fields guard
ing the German naval bases, the arm
lored cruiser Bluecher. shattered by
the great guns OF the Lion. was at the
bottom Of the sea. and two OF the
three German battle cruisers were
badly damaged The German war
ships regained the protection of land
forts, submarines and mines in the
nick of time, as they would certainly
have been destroyed had the battle
endured much longer
TOO Lost With Blueclser.
On the Bluecher aloue. probably.
more than seven hundred lives were
lost. and the casualties ON the battle
cruisers that escaped were very likely
large. So far only la Of the Blue
cher's complement of $50 of1cers and
men are known to have been rescued.
The Admiralty indicates that others
may have been saved by British de-
stroyers. The destruction of the
Bluecher was the hardest blow which
has been suffered by the German navy,
for the vessel. one of the most satis-
factory of her class ever launched.
cost $500 900.
The victory. In every way the most
thrilling feat performed by the
English navy in modern times. was
gained with little cost. The casualties
were negligible. No British ship was
lost or very seriously damaged Ad-
were wounded on his flagship. the
Lion. which led the fight as she did
lat TIelgolan5. when Sir David drove
her at twenty eight knots and got
up in time to spring the jaws of a
German trap which were about to
close on a light cruiser and destroyer
squadron.
ExuItntion Stirs Britain.
It In not easy to picture the exul-
tat.on and pride which stirs London
ani all Great Britain tonight. The
fact OF n smashing victory which prob
ably saved the east coast from another
savage raid, and which insures COM
mand of the North Sea, Is enough for
the present. but from Downing Street
to White Chapel the people are wildly
eager for the details of the battle. Re-
cause of Its nearness to home the VIC
tory has done more than anything
else-more even than the triumph Oft
the Falkland Islands--to cement con-
fdence in the navy.
At this hour. midnight. there has been
received no further details Of the
North Sea night than are contained in
Admiral Beatty's terse report to tn.
lords OF the Admiralty; but Sir David
has wirelessed. apparently, the facts
of most compelling interest. and sup
plies an official narrative which makes
reasonably clear what took place to-
ward German waters of the North Sea
from shortly after daylight until I
o'clock this afternoon.
Inc 1uTpEiSihN PEcStuSe Oh u oTiktSI
battle cruiser squadron so near to tho
area of German submarine operations,
tho strong probability that the Ger
man fleet was bent on bombarding
east coast cities. the haptismal hght
OF the new battle cruiser Tiger. the
fastest and most redoubtable of her
class: the sudden surprise of the Ger
mans, and their swift. but unavailing
retreat: the terrific pace under which
the battle was fought. and finally. the
sinking OF the Bluecher. stand out In
Admiral Beatty's report with remark
able distinctness.
Recalls August IS.
The British fleet was patrollins In
the North Sea very early this morning
Admiral Beatty commanding the bat
tie cruiser squadron from his famous
flagship Lion. and Commodore Tyr
whit commanding the light cruiser and
destroyer squadron. 1t was Tyrwhitt
who began the action Of August Is. in
SIR DAVID BEAT
49,