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168 had wrecked it and jammed her steering wheel. Ultimately, she straightened out, 1,500 yards astern of the column, which slowed down to cover her until she closed up.

The first ship to be put out of action was the Nassau, which succumbed to the concentrated salvos of the four leading ships of our line. Under the impact of their 14-inch shells, it looked through our glasses as though a whole section of her side armor was driven bodily into the ship. She dropped out of line mortally hurt, and, heeling rapidly, capsized and sank, fifteen minutes after the action opened.

Our leading ships then concentrated on the Helgoland and Ostfriesland, first and second in line; and in order to cover them the battle-cruisers, risking the penetration of their belts by our 14's, drew ahead clear of the dreadnought line and closing in to