All the British ships were now ordered to turn to the westward and reduce speed to twenty knots. The _Arethusa_ was badly in need of repair. A water tank had been hit; all the guns but one were for the time being out of action, and a fierce fire broke out which was only got under with difficulty. She soon repaired herself, however; got nearly all of her guns into working order; and brought ammunition on deck, ready for the next bout.
The bulk of our fleet had kept out of sight, and the Germans believed that they had only submarines, destroyers, and two cruisers to fight. Here was a glorious chance to wipe out the two British cruisers. About ten o'clock two of our destroyers reported that they were being chased by three cruisers of the enemy--the _Mainz_, the _Köln_, and a heavier vessel, probably the _Strassburg_. The _Arethusa_, with the _Fearless_ and the First Flotilla, at once made for the three German cruisers, and about eleven o'clock sighted the _Strassburg_, if that was her name. She opened a heavy fire at once, and the poor, battered _Arethusa_ was again in peril. Thanks to a vigorous attack by the _Fearless_ and the destroyers, the _Strassburg_ drew off and disappeared in the haze. Ten minutes later she appeared on the starboard quarter, and again attacked the _Arethusa_; but her shots fell short. No such mistake was made by the British gunners; both the _Arethusa_ and the _Fearless_ hit the German ship repeatedly, and so badly damaged her that she finally drew out of the fight and ran for home.
Four minutes later the _Mainz_ appeared, and was at once set upon by our cruisers and destroyers. So severely was she handled that in less than twenty-five minutes her engines had stopped, flames were leaping up from her decks, and she was sinking.
[Illustration: The Sinking of the Mainz.]
When the news that several enemy ships had joined battle reached Sir David Beatty, he saw at once that the situation was critical. He had already sent off the Light Cruiser Squadron to help the destroyers; now he decided to take the Battle Cruiser Squadron into action. At 11.30 his ships turned their heads east-south-east, and rapidly worked up to full speed. It was a risky business to take his cruisers through a mine-strewn sea infested by submarines, but in warfare risks must be taken if battles are to be won. He had no fear of submarines, however, as he was travelling very quickly, and the sea was so calm that periscopes could be easily seen. He considered that his force was quite powerful enough to deal with any enemy ships that might come out to meet him, except a battle squadron. If he made a dash into the fight, the whole business would probably be over before a battle squadron of the enemy had time to arrive on the scene.