Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-07-07

VICE ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JELLICoE.
statement of the losses inflicted on the
enemy. Visibility was for tho most
part low and fluctuating. Caution for
babe me to close the range too much
with my inferior force. A review of
all the reports leads me to conclude
that the enemy's losses were consider
ably greater than those we sustained in
spite OF their superiority, and included
battleships, battle cruisers, light cruis-
ers and destroyers. This is eloquent
| testimony to the very high standard of
gunnery and torpedo efficiency of his
majesty's ships. The control and drill
many cases. despite the heavy damage
to material and personnel.
Marked Superiority Over Germans.
Our superiority over the enemy in
this respect was very marked, their ef-
ficiency becoming rapidly reduced I'M
der punishment while ours was main
tanned throughout. AS was to be ex-
pected. the behavior of the ships COM
panies under the terrible conditions of
without exception. The strain on their
morale was severe test of discipline
and training. The officers and men
were imbued with one thought de-
sire to defeat the enemy.
The fortitude of the wounded was
admirable. A boy of the first class,
John Travers Cornwall of the Chester,
was mortally wounded early in the ac-
ton. He, nevertheless. remained stand
ing alone at most exposed post quiet
a a I II nrdA unit ha 49, !,
action. with the guns crew dead or
wounded all around him His age was
under sixteen and a half years ] re-
gret that he has since died. I recon-
mend his case for special recognition
in justice to his memory and as an ac-
acknowledgement of the high example set
by him.
I'm such conflict as ragged for FIVE
hours 1T was inevitable that we should
suffer severe losses. 1t was necessary
to maintain touch with greatly superior
forces in f1uctuating visibility, often
very low. We lost the Invincible, the
Indefatigable and Queen Mary. from
which ships there were few survivors
The casualties in the other ships were
heavy. 1 wish to express my deepest
regret at the loss of SO many gallant
comrades. officers and men. They died
gloriously."
Extracts From Report of Events.
Extracts from Vice Admiral Beatty's
report give the course of events before
the battle fleet came on the scene Of &C
ton. At 2:20 o'clock in the afternoon
the Galatia reported the presence of
enemy vessels. At 2:s6 o'clock con-
siderable smoke was sighted to the
eastward. This made 1t clear that the
enemy was to the northward and east
ward. and that it would be impossible
Tor him to round Horn Reef without
being brought to action. The course of
the British ships consequently was
altered to the eastward and subse-
quently northeastward.
The enemy was sighted at 3:31 o'clock
His force consisted of five battle
cruisers Vice Admiral Beatty's first
and third light-cruiser squadrons,
without awaiting orders. spread east
ward, forming a screen in advance of
the battle-cruiser squadron under Ad-
miral EvanThomas. consisting of four
battleships of the Queen Elizabeth
class. The light cruisers engaged the
enemy and the cruiser squadron came
up at high speed. taking station ahead
of the battle cruisers. At $3.50 o'clock
Vice Admiral Beatty increased the
speed to twenty-five knots and formed
the line Of battle. the second battle
cruiser squadron forming astern Of the
first with two destroyer fotillas ahead
Vice Admiral Beatty then turned east
southeast slightly converging on the
enemy. now at a range Of $4,000 yards.
The fifth battle-cruiser squadron was
then bearing north northwest 10000
yards distant. The visibility was good.
Continuing his report. Vice Admiral
Beatty said:
Situation Tactically Good.
THE sun was behind us. The wind
was southeast. Being between the
enemy and his base, our situation was
both tactically and strategtcally good.
Both forces opened fire simultane-
ously at 3:4s at a range of 1880 yards.
The course was altered southwark. the
to 1880 yards. The fifth battle squad
ron opened fire at a range Of 10000
yards at 4:0s. The enemy IRE then
seemed to slacken. Although the pres
on account of smoke, they preserved
the battleships fro msu bmarine attack.
Two submarines being sighted, and
a fotilla OF ten destroyers being or
dered to attack the enemy with tor
pedoes, moved out at AIS o'clock stimuli
taneously with the approach of Ger
man destroyers. The attack was car
ried out calamity with great determi
nation. Before arriving at a favorable
position to fire torpedoes they inter-
cepted an enemy force consisting OF
one light cruiser and fifteen destroy
ers. A fierce engagement at close quar-
to retire their battleships, having
two destroyers sunk and their torpedo
attack frustrated. Our destroyers sus-
tanned no loss. but the attack on the
enemy cruisers was rendered less ef-
fective.
THE Nestor, Nomad and Mineator.
| under Commander Edward Bingham,
pressed the attack on the battle cruis-
| ers and fired two torpedoes. Being
| subjected to a heavy fire at 1900 yards.
the Nomad was badly hit and remained
between the lines. The Nestor also
| was badly hit, but was af1oat when
| last seen. The Petard Nerissa, Turbu-
| lent and Termagant also are praised.
These destroyer attacks" continues
| Vice Admiral Beatty. were indicative
| of the spirit pervading the navy and
| worthy OF its highest traditions"
Conflict Becomes Desperate.
From 4:15 to 4:43 O'Clock the conflict
~ 49,