"Can it be that the *Akin-kur* was so effortlessly sunk? How can we possibly continue this battle?" murmured Vice Admiral David Beatty. The Royal Navy was already outnumbered, and the loss of a ship only exacerbated their disadvantage in the forthcoming engagements.
"The *Akin-kur* was, after all, a grotesque vessel, designed to meet the demands of the Brazilians. In attempting to mount so many turrets on a hull of over twenty thousand tons, its armor was severely compromised. The three main turrets at the stern were clustered closely together, which ultimately led to its swift destruction upon being hit," stated Admiral John Jellicoe, his expression devoid of emotion.
Despite the grave loss inflicted by the sinking of the *Akin-kur*, Jellicoe appeared to have anticipated this moment. Initially, the *Akin-kur* was merely a merchant-warship; had circumstances allowed, it would never have been commissioned into the Royal Navy. Yet, pressed by significant losses and the relentless pressure from the Germans, they had reluctantly brought the *Akin-kur* into service, only to see it perform disastrously on the battlefield and succumb so easily. This not only cost them a capital ship but also claimed the lives of hundreds of their finest naval officers.
"Admiral, the sinking of the *Akin-kur* places us at an even greater disadvantage on the line!" Beatty declared.
Jellicoe nodded, but felt utterly powerless to alter the situation.
"Let the ships continue to fight! We must endeavor to sink as many German vessels as possible in the forthcoming skirmishes. This is all we can do," he instructed.
"Yes, Admiral," Beatty replied, resigned.
On the other side, the German navy was already celebrating their triumph. Achieving such a victory so early in the conflict was a tremendous morale booster for them.
"Excellent work, splendidly done! The crew of the *Regent Louis Leopold* has performed admirably. I shall commend them to the Marshal!" exclaimed Admiral Reinhard Scheer, beaming with delight.
Although brimming with confidence regarding the war, he couldn't entirely dispel a sense of anxiety. Only upon witnessing the German vessels sinking their British counterparts did he finally feel a sense of reassurance.
"Send a telegram to the *Regent Louis Leopold*, instructing them to coordinate with the *Helgoland* to eliminate the British battleship *Ireland*," Scheer commanded.
He targeted the *Ireland* not out of arbitrary choice, but because it, too, was a merchant-class vessel. Originally constructed for the Ottoman Empire, it had been seized by the British following their setbacks in naval engagements, and was now serving in the Royal Navy's battle line.
Thus, much like its counterparts, the *Ireland* was outfitted with powerful armaments at the expense of defensive capabilities, constrained by its limited displacement. The battleship boasted five twin-mounted 343 mm main guns, yet its full-load displacement was only twenty-five thousand tons. In terms of armor, the thickest section was merely 305 mm, while other turrets and the command tower offered only 280 mm of protection. This level of defense was undeniably weak.
As the *Regent Louis Leopold* engaged the *Ireland*, it found itself caught in a crossfire. Shells from both the *Regent Louis Leopold* and the *Helgoland* detonated around the *Ireland*, sending towering plumes of water skyward.
In this naval conflict, the bold maneuvers of the *Sachsen* battleship were particularly noteworthy. While the *Regent Louis Leopold* dispatched the *Akin-kur*, the *Sachsen* had successfully closed the engagement distance to one thousand meters. At this range, it was as if the guns were poised directly against the belly of the *Ramillis* battleship.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!" The three triple-mounted 380 mm guns of the *Sachsen* roared with a thunderous intensity. Nine shells, each weighing over a ton, rained down upon the *Ramillis*.
This initial salvo did not achieve a direct hit. However, it did not hinder the *Sachsen* from maintaining a relentless firing rate of one barrage per minute against the *Ramillis*.
Even as the British battleships *Dreadnought* and *King Edward* attempted to bombard the *Sachsen* in a desperate bid to protect the *Ramillis*, their efforts proved futile.
The counterattacks from the *Ramillis* were essentially ignored; after the destruction of its sighting and ranging equipment, it could not effectively target the *Sachsen*, even from a distance of one thousand meters. Thus, it remained relegated to a supporting role.
Ultimately, the *Sachsen*'s audacity bore rich rewards. Upon closing the engagement to one thousand meters, their third volley struck true. A single 380 mm shell struck the port side of the *Ramillis*, demolishing two secondary guns and igniting a fierce blaze.
Shortly thereafter, their fifth salvo once again found its mark. This time, a shell hit the bow of the *Ramillis*, and a fragment lodged itself in the turret's traversing mechanism, rendering it immobile and effectively neutralizing its combat capability.
Moreover, the *Sachsen* achieved another hit, severing the *Ramillis*'s solitary funnel. The collapsing funnel crushed the superstructure and violently fell upon the number three turret, incapacitating it as well.
Although the *Ramillis* had not yet been sunk, it was undoubtedly severely damaged; its eventual demise seemed but a matter of time.