South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-06-05
Admiral Hood Gees Down
With lnVinCibie After Thrill
ing Fight With German
Ship, Also Sunk.
SAILOR GIVES GRAPHIC
DESCRIPTION OF FIGHT
Terrific Cannonade From Both
Sides Continues For Five
Hours = Gas Shells
Wreaked Havoc.

International news service
LONDON June 5.-The German
battle cruiser fleet has been reduced
10 three or four units. if not less, as
a result Of the naval engagement in
the North sea on Wednesday
As late official reports are receiv-
ed claims are becoming stronger
that the British fleet won a decisive
victory over the German high seas
fleet. At least Is German men of
war are now said by the British 20
have been destroyed, aggregating
113.435 tons. These include two
battIeships. two dreadnought battle
cruisers, two Of the latest light
cruisers. the Wiesbaden ana Ebling.
"a light cruiser OF the Rostock type,
the light cruiser Frauenlob. nine de-
stroyers and q submarine.
The night duel between the Brit
ish battle cruiser Invincible and a
powerful German ship. whose iden-
tity is uncertain. was worthy of the
traditions Of Nelson. says the Daily
Mail. The two ships fought like
bulldogs all the guns roaring as fast
as they could be loaded and fired.
Roth Ships on Fire.
Within half an hour after the
battle began both ships had been
set on fire and the flames that light
ed up the gray superstructure played
upon the great volumes of black
smoke that belched upward from the
barbettes as the mighty guns were
fired in salvOes. IL was a fight 20
death. for both ships went TO the
bottom Admiral Hood went down
with the Invincible, his flagship and
both men OF war DISAPPEARED with
their flags flying.
Wounded sailors and unwounded
survivors VINO have reached England
give thrilling accounts of the action.
When the engagement opened on
Wednesday afternoon the ships were
Is miles apart. the gunners on both
sides firing at invisible targets.
sailor Describes Fight.
An interview printed in the Times
with sailor on one Of the British
battleships. says in part.
cit was just after g o'clock on
wednesday afternoon that the order
sounded through the ship that sent
every man to his post The decks
were already cleared for action. as
we were near German waters and
were prepared for any emergency.
There was a trying wait when we
did not know what was going 90
happen At last word went around
that Admiral Beatty's flagship the
battle cruiser Lion which was lead
ing our line. had signaled that the
euemy was in sight. 10 was not
many minutes afterward that the
Lion fired the first shot To was az
very long range. but we We're going
at FUN speed and rapidly drawing IN
upon the Germans.
Battle Five Hours.
zone by one the other ships began
firing and then for FIVE hours we
were at d.. every gun raining shells
az top speed upon the enemy. We
were shaping a ziz-zag course all the
time I'm order to prevent the enemy
from keeping the range. Most of
the hghting was done at 5000 yards.
and 10 was decidedly deadly for the
Germans. The German ships OUT
numbered ms. but this would not
have matfered IL they had not had
The advantage in position also.
During a good part Of the fighting
the sun made it very difficult for
our gunners. The Germans could
see Us all right. but it was very hard
for us 20 see them. The shells were
dropping around US like hail. some
hitting and others falling into the
water and casting mp high columns
of spray
Our armor plate wss dented with
holes six inches deep i'm some places.
bot none OF the German shells hit
us In a vital spot or even put any
of our guns out OF commission. The
worst part OF the hombardment was
the use of gas shells which exploded
on board. filing the vessel with sick
euing fumes. There We're only "a
few men killed and wounded on our
ship. but I saw two or three others
burning. and . believe one was the
Inyincihlc. saw the Jueen Mary
blow up
Queen MARY Goc~ Down.
The Queen MARI was the first ot
the English ships to geo down a