Читать книгу Deeper into the Darkness онлайн

73 страница из 184

At 0840, in the middle of a turn, Audacious struck one of the Berlin’s mines off Tory Island. The mine exploded under the ship at the rear of the port engine room, which soon flooded, along with the machine room, X turret shell room and the compartments below. The ship rapidly took on a list of 10–15 degrees to port. Thinking that the battleship had been torpedoed, the captain hoisted the submarine warning signal flag.

Audacious lists to port as crew begin to abandon ship – other crew line the high starboard-side rail. (IWM)

With the Hogue, Aboukir and Cressy tragedy a month earlier still very much in his thoughts – and no doubt fearing a similar torpedo attack on the other ships of the squadron – Admiral Jellicoe ordered the 2nd Battle Squadron to leave the area. The light cruiser HMS Liverpool, four 2nd flotilla destroyers and a number of lighter vessels would remain on the scene to assist the damaged battleship.

By deliberate counter-flooding of compartments on the opposite starboard side of Audacious, her list was successfully reduced. The central and starboard side engine rooms were still operating and with the ship still able to make 9 knots she headed for land on her centre shafts.