THE BATTLE AT SEA.
It was shortly before dawn the following morning--August 28th, to be
exact--that two British submarines, taking care to keep clear of the
mines which had been planted outside the harbor of Helgoland, crept in
close to the island. A little farther out, screened by the darkness
which is always greatest just before dawn, the light cruiser,
_Fearless_, took her position to await results.
Alongside the _Fearless_, but hidden from view by the larger vessel, lay
the _Sylph_--to which our two boys had returned late that night--ready
at an instant's notice to act as scout or carry dispatches. All aboard
were on the alert, and, as Frank and Jack leaned over the rail, awaiting
anxiously the first glimmer of daylight, their excitement was intense.
Slowly the gray dawn approached and the first light disclosed the two
submarines well inland, but apparently in distress. One of them seemed
to have been disabled, and the other was standing by as though to give
aid.
Both boys watched eagerly for the development of the strategy, details
of which were known to every officer on the _Sylph_. They had not long
to wait, for the German lookouts had been quick to note the seemingly
crippled condition of the submarine.
It was also evident from the movement of the German torpedo craft that
they, too, had discovered the _Fearless_, for these swift destroyers
were speedily put in motion, some heading for the submarines, while
others started toward the _Fearless_.
Perceiving that the ruse was working, the _Fearless_ put on full speed
and turned to the northwest. The _Sylph_ followed her example, and the
two boats sped away with the Germans in full chase.
Meanwhile, the Germans were getting their first surprise. Having filled
their tanks, the submarines quickly disappeared beneath the waves.
Looking backward, the boys could see what had happened.
"I hope they don't suspect what we are doing," said Frank.
"I should think they would," replied Jack. "I should think anybody could
see it was a ruse."
"That is because you know all about it," laughed his companion. "If you
did not, you would do just exactly what the Germans are doing."
The words had scarcely left his lips when there was a flash from the
pursuing torpedo boats, quickly followed by others, and the shells began
to fly over and about the _Fearless_.
Then it was that the _Fearless_ replied, and that her fire was effective
was quickly discovered. But, while it could be seen that the pursuers
were repeatedly hit, they were not disabled, and seemed determined to
capture the little cruiser.
And now came a surprise. Out of the gray mist of morning there appeared
a flotilla of British destroyers--nearly two dozen in all--accompanied
by the new light armored cruiser _Arethusa_.
From the portholes of each vessel were flashes thick and fast, and the
shells and solid shot began to scream through the air. Almost before
they knew it, and certainly before they had time to realize how matters
stood, the German torpedo flotilla was hotly engaged by the fresh
arrivals.
It was very evident that the British reinforcements were greatly
superior in every way, and the Germans were getting the worst of it
when, from out the harbor, came swiftly several light German cruisers,
rushing to the support of their small craft.
Almost sooner than it can be told the two fleets were close enough
together to use every available gun; and for the next few minutes
pandemonium reigned.
The gun-laying of all the British ships was splendid, and soon the
Germans began to show by their rent funnels, splintered upper works and
damaged hulls the punishment they were receiving. Almost together, two
shells from 10-inch guns struck the _Arethusa_. One plowed its way
through the upper decks, doing great damage, while the other found its
way into the engine-room. There was a terrific explosion, and the steam
poured from the portholes and mingled with the smoke of battle.
But the _Arethusa_ never deviated from her course nor ceased her
terrible fire.
A minute later a solid shot entered the bow of the _Sylph_, tore its way
diagonally across the gun deck, and put one of the 6-inch rifles out of
commission. Another struck the bridge, smashed the funnel, and killed
the man at the wheel.
Unmindful of the shot and shell flying about, Jack sprang from his
station in the wheel house and grabbed the wheel in time to prevent the
_Sylph_ from colliding with the _Laertes_, one of the swiftest of the
torpedo boats, which had also been severely damaged, but was making a
fierce running fight.
After some ten minutes of running and fighting, the _Fearless_, which
was leading the flotilla, turned sharply to the west, followed by the
remainder of the smaller craft. As the flotilla came around, two of the
enemy's cruisers could be seen in a half-sinking condition, and two of
the destroyers were missing, having been sunk.
Up to this instant the battle had been fought at very close range, and
the dozen or more German cruisers seemed to be rapidly overhauling the
mosquito fleet; but, with the sudden turning of the little squadron to
the west, there came the single boom of a great gun from out the
northwest, heralding the approach of the British
battleships--magnificent vessels of the First Battle Squadron.
As the great British guns opened upon the enemy, the Germans turned to
flee; but it was too late. They had been lured too far into the open.
British strategy had proved too much for the Teutonic mind. Badly
battered by the terrific and accurate fire of the British, the Germans
turned, and, as fast as their numerous wounds would allow, ran for
Helgoland.
Above the sharp banging of the smaller guns, came the great booms from
the giant British battleships.
Suddenly one of the enemy's cruisers, the _Köln_, burst into a brilliant
sheet of flame. A shell had exploded in her boiler-room. There was a
terrible explosion, and the vessel seemed to leap into the air like a
live thing of fire, only to disappear beneath the water with a great
hiss a moment later.
A great British cheer rang out across the water; and the Germans, if
possible, fled faster than before. Evidently the Germans had expected
assistance from the remainder of the fleet, which had been so long
bottled up in Helgoland; but no help came.
In spite of the fact that the German vessels under the protection of the
great guns of the fort were undoubtedly ready for instant action, the
order for them to sally forth to the assistance of their comrades came
not.
Gradually the German ships drew off, pursued for a great distance by the
victorious British fleet, leaving four vessels at the bottom of the
North Sea, two others burning, and, with practically every vessel that
had been engaged in the action suffering serious damage. British
marksmanship had been too much for them, and they retired to the
protection of the great guns of Helgoland, till they presently should
once more summon sufficient courage to face the British.
The loss of the Germans was enormous--that of the English comparatively
light, only thirty-two lives lost, and less than sixty men wounded.
Several of the British ships had been struck by German shells, but all
were able to steam away, although for a short time the _Arethusa_
received some aid from the _Sylph_. The _Liberty_ also had been
seriously damaged.
While the smaller guns of the _Sylph_ had prevented her from working any
great damage on the heavily armored German vessels, the little scout
cruiser had, nevertheless, been right in the hottest of the fight. One
of her men was killed and three were wounded.
"A gallant fight!" declared Lord Hastings to his officers, as the
_Sylph_ drew off after the battle. "England may well be proud of her
sailors!"
"It was glorious!" replied Frank. "But I am sorry we did not have a more
important part to play."
"And so am I," declared Jack.
"Don't let that worry you," replied Lord Hastings. "You will see all the
fighting you want, and more too before the war is over, or I miss my
guess."
"Well," said Jack, "to-day's action has proved one thing, at least."
"And that?" questioned Lord Hastings.
"That" repeated Jack, "is that Britannia, as ever, rules the wave!"