CHAPTER XXIV.
THE BATTLE AT SEA.
It was shortly before dawn the following morning--August 28th, to beexact--that two British submarines, taking care to keep clear of themines which had been planted outside the harbor of Helgoland, crept inclose to the island. A little farther out, screened by the darknesswhich 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, laythe _Sylph_--to which our two boys had returned late that night--readyat an instant's notice to act as scout or carry dispatches. All aboardwere on the alert, and, as Frank and Jack leaned over the rail, awaitinganxiously the first glimmer of daylight, their excitement was intense.
Slowly the gray dawn approached and the first light disclosed the twosubmarines well inland, but apparently in distress. One of them seemedto have been disabled, and the other was standing by as though to giveaid.
Both boys watched eagerly for the development of the strategy, detailsof which were known to every officer on the _Sylph_. They had not longto wait, for the German lookouts had been quick to note the seeminglycrippled condition of the submarine.
It was also evident from the movement of the German torpedo craft thatthey, too, had discovered the _Fearless_, for these swift destroyerswere speedily put in motion, some heading for the submarines, whileothers started toward the _Fearless_.
Perceiving that the ruse was working, the _Fearless_ put on full speedand turned to the northwest. The _Sylph_ followed her example, and thetwo boats sped away with the Germans in full chase.
Meanwhile, the Germans were getting their first surprise. Having filledtheir 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 couldsee it was a ruse."
"That is because you know all about it," laughed his companion. "If youdid not, you would do just exactly what the Germans are doing."
The words had scarcely left his lips when there was a flash from thepursuing torpedo boats, quickly followed by others, and the shells beganto fly over and about the _Fearless_.
Then it was that the _Fearless_ replied, and that her fire was effectivewas quickly discovered. But, while it could be seen that the pursuerswere repeatedly hit, they were not disabled, and seemed determined tocapture the little cruiser.
And now came a surprise. Out of the gray mist of morning there appeareda flotilla of British destroyers--nearly two dozen in all--accompaniedby the new light armored cruiser _Arethusa_.
From the portholes of each vessel were flashes thick and fast, and theshells and solid shot began to scream through the air. Almost beforethey knew it, and certainly before they had time to realize how mattersstood, the German torpedo flotilla was hotly engaged by the fresharrivals.
It was very evident that the British reinforcements were greatlysuperior in every way, and the Germans were getting the worst of itwhen, 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 enoughtogether to use every available gun; and for the next few minutespandemonium reigned.
The gun-laying of all the British ships was splendid, and soon theGermans began to show by their rent funnels, splintered upper works anddamaged hulls the punishment they were receiving. Almost together, twoshells from 10-inch guns struck the _Arethusa_. One plowed its waythrough the upper decks, doing great damage, while the other found itsway into the engine-room. There was a terrific explosion, and the steampoured from the portholes and mingled with the smoke of battle.
But the _Arethusa_ never deviated from her course nor ceased herterrible fire.
A minute later a solid shot entered the bow of the _Sylph_, tore its waydiagonally across the gun deck, and put one of the 6-inch rifles out ofcommission. Another struck the bridge, smashed the funnel, and killedthe man at the wheel.
Unmindful of the shot and shell flying about, Jack sprang from hisstation in the wheel house and grabbed the wheel in time to prevent the_Sylph_ from colliding with the _Laertes_, one of the swiftest of thetorpedo boats, which had also been severely damaged, but was making afierce running fight.
After some ten minutes of running and fighting, the _Fearless_, whichwas leading the flotilla, turned sharply to the west, followed by theremainder of the smaller craft. As the flotilla came around, two of theenemy's cruisers could be seen in a half-sinking condition, and two ofthe destroyers were missing, having been sunk.
Up to this instant the battle had been fought at very close range, andthe dozen or more German cruisers seemed to be rapidly overhauling themosquito fleet; but, with the sudden turning of the little squadron tothe west, there came the single boom of a great gun from out thenorthwest, heralding the approach of the Britishbattleships--magnificent vessels of the First Battle Squadron.
As the great British guns opened upon the enemy, the Germans turned toflee; but it was too late. They had been lured too far into the open.British strategy had proved too much for the Teutonic mind. Badlybattered by the terrific and accurate fire of the British, the Germansturned, and, as fast as their numerous wounds would allow, ran forHelgoland.
Above the sharp banging of the smaller guns, came the great booms fromthe giant British battleships.
Suddenly one of the enemy's cruisers, the _Koeln_, burst into a brilliantsheet of flame. A shell had exploded in her boiler-room. There was aterrible explosion, and the vessel seemed to leap into the air like alive thing of fire, only to disappear beneath the water with a greathiss a moment later.
A great British cheer rang out across the water; and the Germans, ifpossible, fled faster than before. Evidently the Germans had expectedassistance from the remainder of the fleet, which had been so longbottled up in Helgoland; but no help came.
In spite of the fact that the German vessels under the protection of thegreat guns of the fort were undoubtedly ready for instant action, theorder for them to sally forth to the assistance of their comrades camenot.
Gradually the German ships drew off, pursued for a great distance by thevictorious British fleet, leaving four vessels at the bottom of theNorth Sea, two others burning, and, with practically every vessel thathad been engaged in the action suffering serious damage. Britishmarksmanship had been too much for them, and they retired to theprotection of the great guns of Helgoland, till they presently shouldonce more summon sufficient courage to face the British.
The loss of the Germans was enormous--that of the English comparativelylight, only thirty-two lives lost, and less than sixty men wounded.
Several of the British ships had been struck by German shells, but allwere able to steam away, although for a short time the _Arethusa_received some aid from the _Sylph_. The _Liberty_ also had beenseriously damaged.
While the smaller guns of the _Sylph_ had prevented her from working anygreat damage on the heavily armored German vessels, the little scoutcruiser had, nevertheless, been right in the hottest of the fight. Oneof 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 hersailors!"
"It was glorious!" replied Frank. "But I am sorry we did not have a moreimportant part to play."
"And so am I," declared Jack.
"Don't let that worry you," replied Lord Hastings. "You will see all thefighting you want, and more too before the war is over, or I miss myguess."
"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!"
The Boy Allies on the North Sea Patrol Page 24
