The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1915-03-23


sistible, Albion, Ocean, Swiftsure and
Majestic then advanced to relieve the
six other bcttlcships inside the straits.
AS the French squadron, which had
engaged tie forts in a most brilliant
fashion, was passing out, the Bouvet
was blown up by drifting mine. She
sank in 36; fatnoms, north Of Erenken
village, in less than three minutes.
cat 2::36 p. n. the relief battle
ships renewed the attack on the forts,
whio-, again opened fire. The attack
on the torts was maintained while tAe
operations of the mine sweepers con-
tinued.
at 4:O9 p. m. the Irresistible qui,
the line, listing heavily, and at $50
o'clock sank, probably having struck
drifting mine At sos o'clock the
Ocean, also having struck mine,
sank. Both tie vessels sank in deep
water, virtually tie whole of their
crews having been removed safely un-
der not fire..
The Gaulois was damaged by gun
fire. The Infexible, had her forward
control position hit by a heavy sell
and requires repairs.
"The bombardment of the forts and
the mine sweeping operations termi-
mated when darkness fell. The dam
age to the forts effected by the pro-
longed direct fire of the powerful
forces employed can not be estimated
yet and further report will follow.
The loss of tie ships was caused By
mines drifting with the current, which
were encountered in an area hitherto
swept clear, and this danger will re-
Quire special treatment
"Tne British casualties were not
heavy, considering the scale of tie
operations, but virtually tae whole Of
the crew of the Bouvet were lost with
the ship, an internal explosion appa-
rently having supervened on the ex-
plosion of the mine.
cite Queen and Implacable, which
have been dispatched from England
to replace the ships lost in antici-
patton of this operation, are due to
arrive Immediately, thus bringing the
British feet up to it's original
strength. The operations are continu
ing with the naval and military forces
available on b2e spot.
"On TIE 10th inst, Vice Admiral
Garden, who had been incapacitated
by illness, was succeeded in the chief
command by Rear Admiral John
Michael de Dobeck, with the acting
rank of vice admiral
The British battlcship Irresistible
was commanded by Capt. the Hon.
Stanlope Hawke and in time of peace
carried a complement of 7S0 men.
She was the largest Of the three allied
battleships sunk, being of $4,000 tons
displacement and 430 feet long. She
carried four 12-incn and u 6-inch
guns, 16 12-pounders, 3-pounders, 2
mixims and 4 submerged torpedo tubes
and was protected by Krupp armor.
Her speed was 18 knots an I1our. She
was built in 1898 at a cost of $5,000,000
The Ocean was commanded by Capt.
Arthur Hayes-Sadler and had crew
of 75O. She was 418 feet long and
of 1880 tons displacement. Her ar
mament was composed Of four 12-inch
guns and y 6-inch guns, 10 12-pound-
ers, six 3-pounders, two maxims and
four submerged torpedo tubes and her
armor was of Harvey nickel make,
She was of IS knots speed and was
built in 1898.
The Bouvet, 10000 tons, was laid
down in 1898. Her complement was
621 men and ner armament consisted
of two Pinch guns, two 10.S-ina1,
three 5.5-inch, eight 39-inch, ten three
Founders and ten one-pounders, be-
sides two torpedo tubes.