New Britain herald., 1916-07-07

Germans were gradually hauling east 1 ward and receiving severe punish ment at the head of the line, prob ably acting on information from their light cruisers which were engaged with the third battle cruiser squadron or from zeppelins which possibly were present.
 At 5:56 o'clock the leading ships of the British battle fleet were sighted bearing north, distant five miles Vice. Admiral Beatty thereon proceeded east at greatest speed, bringing range to 12,OO0 yards. Only three German battle cruisers were then visible, fol- lowed by battleships of the Koenig type
 Vice-Admiral Jellicoe then takes up the story of the battle fleet. Informed that the Germans were sighted, the fleet proceeded at full speed on a southeast by south course during two hours before arriving on the scene of battle. The steaming qualities of the older ships were severely tested When the battle fleet was meeting the battle cruisers and the fifth battle squadron, great care was necessary to insure that the British ships were not mistaken for the German war ships.
 Grand Fleet Prepares. Vice-Admiral Beatty reported the position of the German battle fleet at 6:15 o'clock. Vice-Admiral Jellicoe then formed the line of battle, Vice. Admiral Beatty meantime having formed the battle cruisers ahead of the battle fleet, and the fleets became engaged. During the dep1oyment the Defense and Warrior were seen pass ing between the British and German
 fleets under heavy fire. The Defense disappeared and the Warrior passed to the rear. disabled.
 Owing principally to the mist, it was possible to see only a few ships at time. Toward the close of the battle only four or five were visible and never more than eight to twelve.
 The third battle cruiser squadron, under Rear Admiral Horace A1exan- der Hood, was in advance of the battle fleet and ordered to reinforce Vice-Admiral Beatty. While en route the Chester, Captain Lawson, engaged three or four German light cruisers for twenty minutes. Despite many cas- ualties her steaming qualities were unimpaired
 Third Squadron.
 Describing the work of the third squadron, Vice-Admiral Beatty said Rear Admiral Hood brought 1t into action ahead of the Lion 'in the most inspiring manner, worthy of his great naval ancestors" Vice. Admiral Hood at 6:25 D. m. was only 5000 yards from the leading German ship and the British vessels poured a hot fire into her and caused her to turn away. Vice-AdmiraI Beatty, continuing, re- ports:
 By $50 o'clock the battle cruis- CTS were clear of our leading battle squadron, and I ordered the third battle cruiser squadron to prolong the line astern and reduced the speed to eighteen knots. The visibility at this time was very indifferent, not more than four miles, and the enemy ships were temporarily lost sight of after D. m.
 Although the visibility became re- duced, it undoubtedly was more fa- vorable to us than to the enemy At intervals their ships showed up clear ly enabling us to punish them very severely and to establish a definite su- periority over them. It was clear that the enemy suffered considerable dam age battle cruisers and battleships alike. The head of their line was crump1ed up, leaving their battleships as a target for the majority of our battle criusers. Before leaving, the fifth battle squadron also was engag- ing battleships."
 Cut Off German Fleets.
 The action between the battle fleets lasted intermittently from 6:17 to S:20 o'clock at ranges between 5000 and 1000 yards. The Germans con- stantly turned away and opened the range under the cover of destroyer attacks and smoke screens, as the ef- feet of the British fire was felt, and alterations of the course from south east by east to west in an endeavor to