The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-07-07

was an opportunity
! They moved out at AIS p. NJ.
! simultaneously with a similar move
ment of enemy destroyers The at
tack was carried out in a most gal
liant manner and with treat deter mi :
nation. Before arriving at q favorable
position to fire torpedoes, they inter
cepted an enemy force constituted OF
a light cruiser and fifteen 4destroyers.
A fierce engagement ensued at close
quarters with the result that the
enemy was forced to retire on their
battle cruisers, having lost two de-
stroyers sunk and their torpedo at
tack being frustrated. Our destroy
ers sustained no loss In this engage
ment. but their attack on the enemy
battle cruisers was rendered less ef-
fective, owing to some destroyers
dropping astern during the fight.
Their position, therefore. was un-
favorable for torpedo attack.
Non,ad Badly Hit.
THE Nomad was baaiy HIT and an.
parently stopped between the lines.
Subsequently the Nestor and Nicator
altered their course to southeast and
in short time, the opposing battle
cruisers, having turned sixteen points
found themselves In close range Of a
number of enemy hattleships Moth
ing daunted. though under a terrific
fire. the destroyers stood on end. their
position being favorable for TORPEDO
second ship in the enemy line at a
range OF 5000 yards Before they
could fire fourth torpedo the Nestor
was badly hit and swun~ 70 starboard,
the Nicator altering her course inside
her to avoid collision, thereby being
prevented from firing her last torpedo.
The Nicator escaped and subsequent
IL raioined the Thirteenth fotffla.
The Nestor remained stopped, but
when last seen was sfoat
The Moorsom also carried out an
attack on the enemy's battle feet
The Petard. Narissa. Turbulent and
Termagan also pressed home nj at
tack on the enemy battle cruisers.
firing torredoes after engagements
with enemv destroyers The Petard
reports that ali her torredoes must
have crossed the enemv's line while
the Narirsa states that orc torpedo
appeared 10 strike rear ship These
attacks are indicative ~ the spiri.
pervadinr the navy and worthy of It's
highest traditions
Fire Begins To Tell
From 4;i5 to s.4a the conflict he
tween thA opposing battle cruisers
was Of very fierce and resoIute char
acter. The Attn battle squadron en-
gagged the enemys rear ships bat un-
fortunately AZ very long range Our
fire began 20 tell. the accuracy and
rap!dlty ~ the erenv deprecla tin &
considerably
"At AIS the third enemy ship was
seen atfr~ The visibility 20 the
northeastward had become consider
ably reduced ard the outline 81 the
/ ships was very indi~tinct
Battle Fleet Shows IN.
AT AIS P. NJ Fl NJ 8 southa-p-
tor reported the enemv's battle feet
ahead The destreyers were recalled
and at 442 p. NJ the aneny's haiti.
feet was sighted 10 the southeast Our
course was altered sixteen points In
succession 70 starhoard and pro-
! ceeded In q northerlv course 20 Lead
them towards our battle feet The
enemy battle cruisers altered their
course shortly afterward and the
action continued
The Southampton. with the sec
ond light cruiser squadron. held or 70
, the southwark 10 observe They closed
10. within ! 500 wards of the enemy
battle feet and came under very
heavy, but ineffective FIRE. The South
ar ptonF reports we're most vaiuah Bile
The Attn battle squadron Mas nov
closing OF the opposing course, en-
gagtr~ the enemy battle cruisers with
all fts guns The position Of the
enemy battle feet was communicated
10 them snd I ordered them TO alter
their coarse sixteen points Led by
Rear Admiral Evan Thomas In the
Bsrhani, this squadron supported rs
brilliantly and effectively
AT 4;sT the afth battle squadron
turned up astern me and came under
the fire OF the leading .hips Of the
enemy battle fleet
The Fearless with destroyers Of
the hrst rotilia Joined the battle
took station ahead The Champion.
with the thirteenth fotiila. took sta
ton on the nth battle squadron
"At 3 r. NJ The first and third light
cruiser squadrons. which had been
following me IN a southerlv course
took station nm my starhoara bow
The second right cruiser squadron
took station on my port quarter.
THE weather was now unfavor-
sb1e Our ships were siIhonetted
against the horizon 10 the westward,
while ire enemy. for the most part
was ohscured by mist, only showing
I'D clearly at intervals. These condi-
tious prevailed until we turned their
van about & +. NJ Between s and 6
P, NJ. the action continued on a moth
eriv course a. range Of about $4,000
bdFtbg TINS the enAmF re-
ceived very severe punishment One
OF their battle cruisers quilted the
line considerably damaged This was
under my personal observation and IL
oorrooorated by the Princess ROYAL
and Tiger Other enemy ships also
showed signs of increasing injury.
"At sos P, NJ. the Onslow and
Moresby. who had been detached to
assist the Engadine with the seapiane
rejoined the battle cruiser squadrons,
taking station on the starhoard ZEN
gaeed) bow OF the Lion.
An Enemy Ship Afire.
AT $40 p. NJ. the Moresby being
two points before the beam OF the
leading enemy ship, fired torpedo at
The ship Eight minutes later she
observed hit with a torpedo on what
she judged to be the sixth shin IN the
line. The Moresby then passed he
tween the lines TO clear the range Of
smoke. rejoining the Champion In
confederation the Fearless reports
having seen an enemy ship heavily
affre about $50, and shortly after
ward huge cloud of smoke and
eteam.
AT 5:3s P, NJ. our north, north
east estimated position OF the battle
Meet was north is west. 80 we gradu-
ally hauled hortheastward. keeping in
range of the enemy at $4,000 yards
H. H.