New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-28
.KOLBERC ALSO SUNK
REPORT OF BEATTY
British Vice-Admiral Sends
Graphic Story of the
Sea Battle.
nv Gable 70 The Tribune. J

London, Jan. 27.-Vice-Admirsl Sir
David Beatty's own account Of the bat
tie between the British and German
souadrons on Sunday, reached here
tonight when the Admiralty received
the following preliminary telegraphlc
report:
"A Aotilla of destroyers patrolling
about 1880 o'clock in the morning
sighted and attacked the enemy, whose
force, according to the reports received,
consisted of four battle cruisers, six
light cruisers and some destroyers.
Their position when sighted was ap-
proXimately fourteen miles east-south-
east of our battle cruiser squadron.
"Orders were given by signal to the
destroyer fotilla to chase the enemy
and to report their movements. As 1t
appeared that they had at once COM
menced to retire TO the east-southeast,
the battle cruisers were directed to
steer southeast, with view TO secur-
ing the lee position and to cutting the
enemy off if possible. The situation
developed by degrees into stern chase.
speed was worked up to % or 20
knots and the enemy were grad ly
being overhauled At about $4,000
yards a slow and deliberate fire was
opened. and we began to hit at a range
of II 900 yards. Our fire was returned
by the enemy.
Lion and Tiger Fight Alone.
"The Lion and the Tiger, having
drawn ahead of :he remainder of the
squadron. were in action alone for
some time. and consequently were sub
jected to the enemy's concentrated fire,
more particularly the Lion. which snip
suffered more as result.
"The other vessels as they drew up
engaged the enemy. A German fiotilla
of destroyers was disposed on the
starboard beam Of their cruisers. and
an attack by them was driven of.
AT about IL o'clock, unfortunately,
a lucky shot damaged one of the Lion s
feed tanks, causing the port engine 10
be stopped. At the same time the en-
cmy's submarines were observed on
the starboard bow, and course was
steered in order TO avoid them.
"The Bluecher (German) was now
in a critical condition, with her speed
reduced. and the lndomitable. which
had now come up, was directed 10 COM
plete her destruction.
"The rest Of the squadron were di-
rected to attack the rear of the enemy.
The Lion, with escort, steered to the
northwest, steaming with one engine,
and | transferred my flag 10 one of the
destroyers. and subsequently to the
Princess Royal. Through the damage
10 the Lions feed tanlS by an unfortu-
nate chance shot we we're undoubtedly
deprived of greater victory. The
presence Of the enemy's submarines
subsequently necessitated the action
being broken of.
Two Battle Cruisers on Fire.
"The result Of the action was that
the Bluecher was sunk and two other
battle cruisers were heavily on hre ana
seriously damaged The German pris-
oners reported also that the Kolberg
had been sunk BY oyer-salyos from our
squadron.
subsequently, the starboard engines
of the Lion also developed trouble
from the same cause as the port en-
eines. and the lndomitable 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 re-
mainder of the squadron were not hit.
NIke saaualfiea SLIGHT