An eye witness of the loss of the German cruiser _Ariadne_ and the
German torpedo boat destroyer V-157 in the fighting between British and
German warships off Heligoland, relates the following story of the
fight:
“The destroyer was surprised in a fog by a large number of British
destroyers and submarines. When the speed of the German destroyer became
affected by the English shells, it turned and confronted the enemy with
the intention of fighting to the end. Her engines, however, soon
completely failed her, and she was blown up to prevent capture. Her crew
continued firing until the boat disappeared beneath the waves.
“The _Ariadne_ attacked gamely, but a shell plumped her boilers, putting
half of them out of commission. Despite this the fight continued. The
quarterdeck of the _Ariadne_ took fire, but those of her guns that were
still capable of being worked continued shooting.
“The forecastle of the _Ariadne_ was soon ablaze. Her magazine was
flooded, but the gallant vessel was doomed. Her crew was mustered and
gave three cheers for the Emperor and sang the hymn, ‘The Flag and
Germany Above All.’
“The sinking of the ship probably was due to the explosion of her
magazine.”