tions of the mine-sweepers continued. At 4:09 Irresistible quitted the line, listing heavily; and at 5:50 she sank, having probably struck a drifting mine. At 6:05, Ocean, also having struck a mine, both vessels sank in deep water, practically the whole of the crews having been removed safely under a hot fire.

The Gaulois was damaged by gun fire. Inflexible had her forward control position hit by a heavy shell, and requires repair.

The bombardment of the forts and the mine-sweeping operations terminated when darkness fell. The damage to the forts effected by the prolonged direct fire of the very powerful forces employed cannot yet be estimated, and a further report will follow.

The losses of ships were caused by mines drifting with the current which were encountered in areas hitherto swept clear, and this danger will require special treatment.

The British casualties in personnel are not heavy, considering the scale of the operations; but practically the whole of the crew of the Bouvet were lost with the ship, an internal explosion having apparently supervened on the explosion of the mine.

The Queen and Implacable, which were dispatched from England to replace ships' casualties in anticipation of this operation, are due to arrive immediately, thus bringing the British fleet up to its original strength.

The operations are continuing, ample naval and military forces being available on the spot

On the 16th inst., Vice Admiral Carden, who has been incapacitated by illness, was succeeded in the chief command by Rear Admiral John Michael de Robeck, with acting rank of Vice Admiral.

THE SCENE IN THE STRAIT. The London Times publishes this story of an eyewitness:

TENEDOS, (Aegina,) March 18. This is not so much an account of the five hours' heavy engagement between the Turkish forts and the allied ships which has been fought actually within the Dardenelles today as an impression

of the bombardment as seen at a distance of fifteen miles or so from the top of a high, steep hill called Mount St. Elias, at the northern end of Tenedos.

Over the ridge of Kum Kale you plainly see, like a great blue lake, the first reach of the Dardanelles up to the narrow neck between Chanak and Kilid Bahr. It was up and down in this stretch of water that the largest vessels of the allied fleet steamed today for over four hours, hurling, with sheets of orange flame from their heavy guns, a constant succession of shells on the forts that guard the Narrows at Chanak, while the Turkish batteries, with a frequency that lessened as the day went on, flashed back at them in reply, with the difference that, while the effects of the Allies' shells were continually manifest in the columns of smoke and dust that were signs of the damage they had wrought, a great number of the enemy's shots fell in the sea hundreds of yards from the bombarding ships, sending torrents of water towering harmlessly into the air.

Not that the successes of the day have been won without cost. I saw several ships, French and British, struck by shells that raised volumes of white smoke, and one of the French squadron is toiling slowly home at this moment down by the head and with a list to port, while, so far as one could make out with a glass, several boatloads of men were being taken off her.

The ships left their stations between the Turkish and Asiatic coasts and Tenedos early this morning and by 11 they were steaming in line up the Dardanelles.

It was 11:45 when the first notable hit was made by an English ship. I could see eight vessels, apparently all battleships, lying in line from the entrance up the strait. The ship furthest up appeared to be the Queen Elizabeth, and I think it was she that fired the shot which exploded the powder magazine at Chanak. A great ballooon of white smoke sprang up in the midst of the magazine which leaped out from a fierce, red flame, and reached a great height. When the flame had disappeared the dense smoke continued to grow till it must have been a column hundreds of feet high.

130 MILES

In the five minutes that followed this shot three more shells from the Queen Elizabeth fell practically on the same spot, and two minutes later yet another by the side of the smoking ruins.

There were now eight battleships, all pre-dreadnoughts, left at Tenedos, and at noon six of them started off in line a-head toward the strait. The English ships already within were passing further up and went out of sight.

The bombarding ships were steaming constantly up and down, turning at each end of the stretch, which is about a couple of miles long.

A long thin veil of black smoke was drifting slowly westward from the fighting. At about 1:30 Erenkeui Village, standing high on the Asiatic side, received a couple of shells. At 1:45 a division of eight destroyers in line steamed into the entrance of the strait, and a little later the last two battleships from

Tenedos joined, the Dublin patrolling outside. An hour later the most striking effect was produced by a shell falling on a fort at Kilid Bahr, which evidently exploded another magazine. A huge mass of heavy jet-black smoke gradually rose till it towered high above the cliffs on the European and Asiatic sides. It ballooned slowly out like a gigantic genie rising from a fisherman's bottle.

By now the action was slackening, and at 3:45 five ships were slowly steaming homeward from the entrance. At 4:30 there were still eight vessels in the strait, but the forts had practically ceased to fire. The action was over for the day.

The result had been the apparent silencing of several Turkish batteries, and those terrific explosions at the forts at Chanak and Kilid Bahr, the ultimate effect of which remains to be seen when the attack is renewed tonight. For Chanak is burning.

ADMIRALTY, March 3, 1915.

The following dispatch has been received from Vice Admiral Sir David Beatty, K. C. B., M. V. O., D. S. O., commanding the First Battle Cruiser Squadron, reporting the action in the North Sea on Sunday, the 24th of January, 1915:

H M. S. Princess Royal,

Feb. 2, 1915. Sir: I have the honor to report that at daybreak on Jan. 24, 1915, the following vessels were patrolling in company:

The battle cruisers Lion, Capt. Alfred E. M. Chatfield, C. V. O., flying my flag; Princess Royal, Capt. Osmond de B. Brock, Aide de Camp; Tiger, Capt. Henry B. Pelly, M. V. O.; New Zealand, Capt. Lionel Halsey, C. M. G., Aide de Camp, flying the flag of Rear Admiral Sir Archibald Moore, K. C. B., C. V. O., and Indomitable, Capt. Francis W. Kennedy.

The light cruisers Southampton, flying the broad pennant of Commodore William E. Goodenough, M. V. O.; Nottingham, Capt. Charles B. Miller; Birmingham, Capt. Arthur A. M. Duff, and Lowestoft, Capt. Theobald W. B. Kennedy, were disposed on my port beam.

Commodore (T) Reginald Y. Tyrwhitt, C. B., in Arethusa, Aurora, Capt. Wilmot S. Nicholson; Undaunted, Capt. Francis G. St. John, M. V. O.; Arethusa and the destroyer flotillas were ahead.

At 7:25 A. M. the flash of guns was observed south-southeast. Shortly afterward a report reached me from Aurora that she was engaged with enemy's ships. I immediately altered course to southsoutheast, increased to 22 knots, and ordered the light cruisers and flotillas to chase south-southeast to get in touch and report movements of enemy.

This order was acted upon with great promptitude, indeed my wishes had already been forestalled by the respective senior officers, and reports almost immediately followed from Southampton, Arethusa, and Aurora as to the position

and composition of the enemy, which consisted of three battle cruisers and Blücher, six light cruisers, and a number of destroyers, steering northwest. The enemy had altered course to southeast. From now onward the light cruisers maintained touch with the enemy, and kept me fully informed as to their movements.

The battle cruisers worked up to full speed, steering to the southward. The wind at the time was northeast, light, with extreme visibility. At 7:30 A. M. the enemy were sighted on the port bow steaming fast, steering approximately southeast, distant 14 miles.

Owing to the prompt reports received we had attained our position on the quarter of the enemy, and so altered course to southeast parallel to them, and settled down to a long stern chase, gradually increasing our speed until we reached 28.5 knots. Great credit is due to the engineer staffs of New Zealand and Indomitable these ships greatly exceeded their normal speed.

At 8:52 A. M., as we had closed to within 20,000 yards of the rear ship, the battle cruisers manoeuvred to keep on a line of bearing so that guns would bear, and Lion fired a single shot, which fell short. The enemy at this time were in single line ahead, with light cruisers ahead and a large number of destroyers on their starboard beam.

Single shots were fired at intervals to test the range, and at 9:09 A. M. Lion made her first hit on the Blücher, No. 4 in the line. The Tiger opened fire at 9:20 A. M. on the rear ship, the Lion shifted to No. 3 in the line, at 18,000 yards, this ship being hit by several salvos. The enemy returned our fire at 9:14 A. M. Princess Royal, on coming into range, opened fire on Blücher, the range of the leading ship being 17,500 yards, at 9:35 A. M. New Zealand was within range of Blücher, which had dropped somewhat astern, and opened fire on her. Princess

Royal shifed to the third ship in the line, inflicting considerable damage on her.

Our flotilla cruisers and destroyers had gradually dropped from a position broad on our beam to our port quarter, so as not to foul our range with their smoke; but the enemy's destroyers threatening attack, the Meteor and M Division passed ahead of us, Capt. the Hon. H. Meade, D. S. O., handling this division with conspicuous ability.

About 9:45 A. M. the situation was as follows: Blücher, the fourth in their line, already showed signs of having suffered severely from gun fire; their leading ship and No. 3 were also on fire. Lion was engaging No. 1, Princess Royal No. 3, New Zealand No. 4, while the Tiger, which was second in our line, fired first at their No. 1, and when interfered with by smoke, at their No. 4.

The enemy's destroyers emitted vast columns of smoke to screen their battle cruisers, and under cover of this the latter now appeared to have altered course to the northward to increase their distance, and certainly the rear ships hauled out on the port quarter of their leader, thereby increasing their distance from our line. The battle cruisers, therefore, were ordered to form a line of bearing north-northwest, and proceed at their utmost speed.

Their destroyers then showed evident signs of an attempt to attack. Lion and Tiger opened fire on them, and caused them to retire and resume their original

course.

The light cruisers maintained an excellent position on the port quarter of the emeny's line, enabling them to observe and keep touch, or attack any vessel that might fall out of the line.

At 10:48 A. M. the Blücher, which had dropped considerably astern of enemy's line, hauled out to port, steering north with a heavy list, on fire, and apparently in a defeated condition. I consequently ordered Indomitable to attack enemy breaking northward.

At 10:54 A. M. submarines were reported on the starboard bow, and I personally observed the wash of a periscope two points on our starboard bow. I immediately turned to port.

At 11:03 A. M. an injury to the Lion being reported as incapable of immediate repair, I directed Lion to shape course northwest. At 11:20 A. M. I called the Attack alongside, shifting my flag to her at about 11:35 A. M. I proceeded at utmost speed to rejoin the squadron, and met them at noon retiring north-northwest.

I boarded and hoisted my flag on Princess Royal at about 12:20 P. M., when Capt. Brock acquainted me of what had occurred since the Lion fell out of the line, namely, that Blücher had been sunk and that the enemy battle cruisers had continued their course to the eastward in a considerably damaged condition. He also informed me that a Zeppelin and a seaplane had endeavored to drop bombs on the vessels which went to the rescue of the survivors of Blücher.

The good seamanship of Lieut. Commander Cyril Callaghan, H. M. S. Attack, in placing his vessel alongside the Lion and subsequently the Princess Royal, enabled the transfer of flag to be made in the shortest possible time.

At 2 P. M. I closed Lion and received a report that the starboard engine was giving trouble owing to priming, and at 3:38 P. M. I ordered Indomitable to take her in tow, which was accomplished by 5 P. M.

The greatest credit is due to the Captains of Indomitable and Lion for the seamanlike manner in which the Lion was taken in tow under difficult circumstances.

The excellent steaming of the ships engaged in the operation was a conspicuous feaure.

I attach an appendix giving the names of various officers and men who specially distinguished themselves.

Where all did well it is difficult to single out officers and men for special mention, and as Lion and Tiger were the only ships hit by the enemy, the majority of these I mention belong to those ships. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servant,

(Signed) DAVID BEATTY,

Vice Admiral.

OFFICERS.

Commander Charles A. Fountaine, H.

M. S. Lion.

Lieut. Commander Evan C. Bunbury, H. M. S. Lion.

Lieut. Frederick T. Peters, H. M. S. Meteor.

Lieut. Charles M. R. Schwerdt, H. M. S. Lion.

Engineer Commander Donald P. Green, H. M. S. Lion.

Engineer Commander James L. Sands, H. M. S. Southampton.

Engineer Commander Thomas H. Turner, H. M. S. New Zealand.

Engineer Lieut. Commander George Preece, H. M. S. Lion.

Engineer Lieut. Albert Knothe, H. M. S. Indomitable.

Surgeon Probationer James A. Stirling, R. N. V. R., H. M. S. Meteor.

Mr. Joseph H. Burton, Gunner (T), H. M. S. Lion.

Chief Carpenter Frederick E. Dailey, H. M. S. Lion.

PETTY OFFICERS AND MEN. Py. Or. J. W. Kemmett, O. N. 186,788, Lion.

A. B. H. Davis, O. N. 184,526, Tiger. A. B. H. F. Griffin, O. N. J. 14,160, Princess Royal.

A. B. P. S. Livingstone, O. N. 234,328, Lion.

A. B. H. Robison, O. N. 209,112, Tiger. A. B. G. H. le Seilleur, O. N. 156,802, Lion.

Boy, 1st Cl., F. G. H. Bamford, O. N. J. 26,598, Tiger.

Boy, 1st Cl., J. F. Rogers, O. N. J. 28,329, Tiger.

Ch. Ee. R. Artr., 1st Cl., E. R. Hughes, O. N. 268,999, Indomitable.

Ch. Ee. R. Artr., 2d Cl., W. B. Dand, O. N. 270,648, New Zealand.

Ch. Ee. A. Artr. W. Gillespie, O. N. 270,080 Meteor.

Mechn. A. J. Cannon, O. N. 175,440, Lion.

Mechn. E. C. Ephgrave, O. N. 288,231, Lion.

Ch. Stkr. P. Callaghan, O. N. 278,953, Lion.

Ch. Stkr. A. W. Ferris, O. N. 175,824, Lion.

Ch. Stkr. J. E. James, O. N. 174,232, New Zealand.

Ch. Stkr. W. E. James, O. N. 294,406, Indomitable.

Ch. Stkr. J. Keating, R. F. R., O. N. 165,732, Meteor.

Stkr. Py. Or. M. Flood, R. F. R., O. N. 153,418, Meteor.

Stkr. Py. Or. T. W. Hardy, O. N. 292,542, Indomitable.

Stkr. Py. Or. A. J. Sims, O. N. 276,502, New Zealand.

Stkr. Py. Or. S. Westaway, R. F. R., O. N. 300,938, Meteor.

Actg. Ldg. Skr. J. Blackburn, O. N. K. 4,844, Tiger.

Stkr., 1st Cl., A. H. Bennet, O. N. K. 10,700, Tiger.

Stkr., 2d Cl., H. Turner, O. N. K. 22,720, Tiger.

Ldg. Carpenter's Crew, E. O. Bradley, O. N. 346,621, Lion.

Ldg. Carpenter's Crew, E. Currie, O. N. 344,851, Lion.

Sick Berth Attendant C. S. Hutchinson, O. N. M. 3,882, Tiger.

Ch. Writer S. G. White, O. N. 340,597, Tiger.

Third Writer H. C. Green, O. N. M. 8,266, Tiger.

Officers' Steward, 3d Cl., F. W. Kearley, O. N. L. 2,716, Tiger.

HONORS AWARDED.

Lord Chamberlain's Office,
St. James's Palace,
March 3, 1915.

The King has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following appointment to the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, in recognition of the services of the undermentioned officer mentioned in the foregoing dispatch:

To be an Additional Member of the Military Division of the Third Class or Companion.

Capt. Osmond de Beauvoir Brock, A. D. C., Royal Navy.

Admiralty, S. W., March 3, 1915.

The King has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following appointment to the Distinguished Service Order, and for the award of the Distinguished Service Cross, to the undermentioned of