Chapter XXII: Part III: Official Dispatches

OFFICIAL DISPATCHES

I

DISPATCH OF THE ACTION OF H.M.S. "CARMANIA"

September 14th, 1914

The Secretary of the Admiralty communicates the following for publication. It is a narrative of the action in South Atlantic on September 14th, 1914, between H.M.S. _Carmania_ and the German armed merchant ship _Cap Trafalgar_:--

Shortly after 11 A.M. we made out a vessel, and on nearer
approach we saw there were three vessels, one a large liner,
the others colliers. The latter had derricks topped, and were
probably working when we hove in sight. Before we had raised
their hulls they had separated, and were making off in different
directions. The large vessel was, apparently, about our own
size, with two funnels painted to represent a Castle liner.
After running away for a little while, the large steamer turned
to starboard and headed towards us. She was then steering about
south, and we were steering about south-west. The weather was
fine and sunny, with a moderate breeze from the north-east. Our
speed was 16 knots, and his apparently about 18. At 8,500 yards
we fired a shot across his bows, and he immediately opened fire
from his starboard after gun. We opened with all the port guns,
and the firing became general. We were now well within range, and
most of his shots went over. Consequently our rigging, masts,
funnels, derricks, and ventilators all suffered. He was then
well open on our port side. All our port guns and his starboard
guns engaged, and firing became rapid. Owing to the decreasing
range, his machine guns were becoming particularly dangerous, so
the ship was turned away from him and the range opened. The ship
continued to turn until the starboard battery was engaged.

Two of our hits were seen to take his deck steam pipes. He was
well on fire forward, and had a slight list to starboard. One of
his shells had passed through the cabin, under our forebridge,
and although it did not burst, it started a fire which became
rapidly worse, no water being available owing to the fire main
having been shot through. The chemical fire extinguishers proving
of very little use, the fire got such a firm hold that the
forebridge had to be abandoned, and the ship conned from aft,
using the lower steering position. At this time the enemy was on
our starboard, with a heavy list to starboard, and at 1.50 P.M.,
or one hour and forty minutes from the firing of the first shot,
she capsized to starboard and went down bows first, with colours
flying. It was some time before we got the fire under, which
necessitated keeping the ship before the wind, and consequently
we could not go to the assistance of the survivors, some of whom
got away in boats and were picked up by one of the colliers.

The enemy before sinking was in wireless communication with some
German vessel, and as smoke was seen in the northern horizon and
the signalman thought he could make out a cruiser's funnels, we
went off full speed to the southward. When we were in touch with
the _Cornwall_ all we asked him was to meet us, as the ship was
unseaworthy and practically all communications and navigational
instruments were destroyed, rendering the conning and navigation
of the ship difficult and uncertain.

On the 15th, at 4.30 P.M., the _Bristol_ picked us up and
escorted us until relieved by the _Cornwall_, who took us on to
an anchorage to effect temporary repairs.

The following were decorated for their services during this
engagement:

CAPTAIN NOEL GRANT, Royal Navy, awarded the C.B. He commanded and
manœuvred the _Carmania_ throughout the action, and handled the
ship with rare skill and judgment.

ACTING-COMMANDER JAMES C. BARR, Royal Naval Reserve, awarded the
C.B. He was primarily concerned in getting the fire under, and
prevented it spreading.

LIEUTENANT-COMMANDER E. L. B. LOCKYER, Royal Navy, awarded
the D.S.O. Controlled the gun-fire in the most cool and
efficient manner, after which he concentrated all his energy on
extinguishing the fire.

CHIEF GUNNER HENRY MIDDLETON, Royal Navy, awarded the D.S.C.
Did extremely well in charge of the ammunition parties, and
encouraged his men by his personal behaviour and coolness.

ACTING SUB-LIEUTENANT G. F. DICKENS, Royal Naval Reserve, awarded
the D.S.C. Saved vital parts of the Standard Compass when the
bridge was abandoned, and then assisted in saving the charts.

MIDSHIPMAN D. N. COLSON, Royal Naval Reserve, awarded the
D.S.C. Took the fire-hose into the Chart House, and in spite of
being burned by falling wood, managed to pass the charts out to
Sub-Lieutenant Dickens.

LIEUTENANT-COMMANDER W. J. O'NEIL and LIEUTENANT P. A. MURCHIE,
of the Royal Naval Reserve, together with CHIEF-ENGINEER F.
DRUMMOND and 2ND ENGINEER J. MCDONALD, were all specially
mentioned in dispatches.

In addition to the above, twelve men were awarded the D.S.M. for
various acts of gallantry.

II

DISPATCH OF THE ACTION FOUGHT OFF CORONEL

November 1st, 1914

THE NAVAL FIGHT OFF CHILE

The Secretary of the Admiralty announces that the following report has been received from H.M.S. _Glasgow_ (Captain John Luce, R.N.) concerning the recent action off the Chilean coast:--

_Glasgow_ left Coronel 9 A.M. on November 1 to rejoin _Good Hope_
(flagship), _Monmouth_, and _Otranto_ at rendezvous. At 2 P.M.
flagship signalled that apparently from wireless calls there
was an enemy ship to northward. Orders were given for squadron
to spread N.E. by E. in the following order: _Good Hope_,
_Monmouth_, _Otranto_, and _Glasgow_, speed to be worked up to 15
knots. 4.20 P.M. saw smoke; proved to be enemy ships, one small
cruiser and two armoured cruisers. _Glasgow_ reported to Admiral,
ships in sight were warned, and all concentrated on _Good Hope_.
At 5 P.M. _Good Hope_ was sighted.

5.47 P.M., squadron formed in line-ahead in following order:
_Good Hope_, _Monmouth_, _Glasgow_, _Otranto_. Enemy, who had
turned south, were now in single line-ahead 12 miles off,
_Scharnhorst_ and _Gneisenau_ leading. 6.18 P.M., speed ordered
to 17 knots, and flagship signalled _Canopus_, 'I am going
to attack enemy now.' Enemy were now 15,000 yards away and
maintained this range, at the same time jambing wireless signals.

By this time sun was setting immediately behind us from enemy
position, and while it remained above horizon we had advantage in
light, but range too great. 6.55 P.M., sun set, and visibility
conditions altered, our ships being silhouetted against
afterglow, and failing light made enemy difficult to see.

7.3 P.M., enemy opened fire 12,000 yards, followed in quick
succession by _Good Hope_, _Monmouth_, _Glasgow_. Two squadrons
were now converging, and each ship engaged opposite number in
the line. Growing darkness and heavy spray of head sea made
firing difficult, particularly for main deck guns of _Good Hope_
and _Monmouth_. Enemy firing salvo got range quickly, and their
third salvo caused fire to break out on fore part of both ships,
which were constantly on fire till 7.45 P.M. 7.50 P.M., immense
explosion occurred on _Good Hope_ amidships, flames reaching 200
feet high. Total destruction must have followed. It was now quite
dark.

Both sides continued firing at flashes of opposing guns.
_Monmouth_ was badly down by the bow and turned away to get
stern to sea, signalling to _Glasgow_ to that effect. 8.30 P.M.,
_Glasgow_ signalled to _Monmouth_, 'Enemy following us,' but
received no reply. Under rising moon enemy's ships were now
seen approaching, and as _Glasgow_ could render _Monmouth_ no
assistance, she proceeded at full speed to avoid destruction.
8.50 P.M., lost sight of enemy. 9.20 P.M., observed 75 flashes of
fire, which was no doubt final attack on _Monmouth_.

Nothing could have been more admirable than conduct of officers
and men throughout. Though it was most trying to receive great
volume of fire without chance of returning it adequately, all
kept perfectly cool, there was no wild firing, and discipline
was the same as at battle practice. When target ceased to be
visible, gunlayers spontaneously ceased fire. The serious reverse
sustained has entirely failed to impair the spirit of officers
and ship's company, and it is our unanimous wish to meet the
enemy again as soon as possible.

III

OFFICIAL DISPATCH OF VICE-ADMIRAL COUNT VON SPEE

The following official report of the action fought off Coronel on November 1st appeared in the German Press, and is interesting in the light of being an accurate account as viewed by our enemies.

On comparing it with Captain Luce's account, it will be seen that the German clocks were about thirty minutes slow on our time. Other evidence also points to this conclusion:--

The squadron under my command, composed of the large cruisers
_Scharnhorst_ and _Gneisenau_, and the small cruisers _Nürnberg_,
_Leipzig_, and _Dresden_, reached on November 1st a point about
twenty sea miles from the Chilean coast, in order to attack a
British cruiser which, according to trustworthy information, had
reached the locality on the previous evening. On the way to the
spot the small cruisers were several times thrown out on the
flanks to observe steamers and sailing ships.

At 4.15 P.M. the _Nürnberg_, which was detached on one of
these missions, was lost sight of to the north-east, while the
_Dresden_ remained about twelve sea miles behind. With the bulk
of the fleet, I was about forty miles north of Arauco Bay. At
4.17 P.M. there were sighted to the south-west at first two
ships, and then at 4.25 P.M. a third ship about fifteen miles
away. Two of them were identified as warships, and were presumed
to be the _Monmouth_ and _Glasgow_, while the third was evidently
the auxiliary cruiser _Otranto_. They, too, seemed to be on a
southerly course. The squadron steamed at full speed in pursuit,
keeping the enemy four points to the starboard. The wind was
south, force 6, with a correspondingly high sea, so that I had to
be careful not to be manœuvred into a lee position. Moreover, the
course chosen helped to cut off the enemy from the neutral coast.

About 4.35 P.M. it was seen that the enemy ships were steering
to the west, and I gradually changed my course south-west, the
_Scharnhorst_ working up 22 knots, while the _Gneisenau_ and the
_Leipzig_ slowed down. The enemy's numerous wireless messages
were 'jammed' as far as possible.

At 5.20 the arrival of another warship was reported which took
the head of the line, and was identified as the _Good Hope_, the
flagship of Rear-Admiral Cradock.

The enemy ships now got into battle formation, hoisted their
mast-head flags, and tried slowly to approach a southerly course.
From 5.35 P.M. onwards I held to a south-westerly course, and
later to southerly course, and reduced speed to enable my own
ships to come up. At 6.7 both lines--except _Dresden_, which
was about one mile astern, and the _Nürnberg_, which was at a
considerable distance--were on an almost parallel southerly
course, the distance separating them being 135 hectometres
(14,760 yards).

At 6.20, when at a distance of 124 hectometres, I altered my
course one point towards the enemy, and at 6.34 opened fire at
a range of 104 hectometres. There was a head wind and sea, and
the ships rolled and pitched heavily, particularly the small
cruisers, on both sides.

Observation and range-finding work was most difficult, the seas
sweeping over the forecastles and conning-towers, and preventing
the use of some guns on the middle decks, the crews of which
were never able to see the sterns of their opponents, and only
occasionally their bows. On the other hand, the guns of the two
armoured cruisers worked splendidly, and were well served.

At 6.39 the first hit was recorded in the _Good Hope_. Shortly
afterwards the British opened fire. I am of opinion that they
suffered more from the heavy seas than we did. Both their
armoured cruisers, with the shortening range and the failing
light, were practically covered by our fire, while they
themselves, so far as can be ascertained at present, only hit the
_Scharnhorst_ twice and the _Gneisenau_ four times. At 6.53, when
at a distance of 60 hectometres, I sheered off a point.

The enemy's artillery at this time was firing more slowly, while
we were able to observe numerous hits. Among other things, it
was seen that the roof of the fore double turret was carried
away, and that a fierce fire was started in the turret. The
_Scharnhorst_ reckons thirty-five hits on the _Good Hope_.

As the distance, in spite of our change of course, had now
decreased to 49 hectometres, it was to be presumed that the enemy
doubted the success of his artillery, and was manœuvring for
torpedo firing. The position of the moon, which had risen about
six o'clock, favoured this manœuvre. At about 7.45, therefore, I
gradually sheered off. In the meantime, darkness had set in, and
the range-finders in the _Scharnhorst_ for the moment used the
reflections of the fires which had broken out in the _Good Hope_
to estimate the distances; gradually, however, range-finding and
observation became so difficult that we ceased fire at 7.26.

At 7.23 a big explosion was observed between the funnels of the
_Good Hope_. So far as I could see, the ship did not fire after
that. The _Monmouth_ seems to have stopped firing at 7.20.

The small cruisers, including the _Nürnberg_, which came up in
the meantime, were by 'wireless' at 7.30 to pursue the enemy and
make a torpedo attack. At this time rain squalls limited the
range of vision. The small cruisers were not able to find the
_Good Hope_, but the _Nürnberg_ came upon the _Monmouth_, which,
badly damaged, crossed her bows and tried to come alongside. At
8.58 the _Nürnberg_ sank her by a bombardment at point-blank
range.

The _Monmouth_ did not reply, but she went down with her flag
flying. There was no chance of saving anybody owing to the heavy
sea, especially as the _Nürnberg_ sighted smoke, and believed
that another enemy ship was approaching, which she prepared to
attack.

At the beginning of the fight the _Otranto_ made off. The
_Glasgow_ was able to keep up her harmless fire longer than her
consorts maintained theirs, and she then escaped in the darkness.

The _Leipzig_ and the _Dresden_ believe that they hit her several
times. The small cruisers sustained neither loss of life nor
damage. The _Gneisenau_ had two slightly wounded. The crews went
into the fight with enthusiasm. Every man did his duty, and
contributed to the victory.

IV

DISPATCH OF THE BATTLE OF THE FALKLAND ISLANDS

December 8th, 1914

ADMIRAL STURDEE'S DISPATCH

_Admiralty, 3rd March, 1915._

The following dispatch has been received from Vice-Admiral Sir F. C. Doveton Sturdee, K.C.B., C.V.O., C.M.G., reporting the action off the Falkland Islands on Tuesday, the 8th of December, 1914:--

_Invincible at Sea,
December 19th, 1914._

SIR,

I have the honour to forward a report on the action which took
place on 8th December, 1914, against a German Squadron off the
Falkland Islands.

I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
F. C. D. STURDEE,
_Vice-Admiral, Commander-in-Chief_.

_The Secretary, Admiralty._

(A)--PRELIMINARY MOVEMENTS

The squadron, consisting of H.M. ships _Invincible_, flying
my flag, Flag Captain Percy T. H. Beamish; _Inflexible_,
Captain Richard F. Phillimore; _Carnarvon_, flying the flag of
Rear-Admiral Archibald P. Stoddart, Flag Captain Harry L. d'E.
Skipwith; _Cornwall_, Captain Walter M. Ellerton; Kent, Captain
John D. Allen; _Glasgow_, Captain John Luce; _Bristol_, Captain
Basil H. Fanshawe; and _Macedonia_, Captain Bertram S. Evans;
arrived at Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, at 10.30 A.M. on
Monday, the 7th December, 1914. Coaling was commenced at once, in
order that the ships should be ready to resume the search for the
enemy's squadron the next evening, the 8th December.

At 8 A.M. on Tuesday, the 8th December, a signal was received
from the signal station on shore:

"A four-funnel and two-funnel man-of-war in
sight from Sapper Hill, steering northwards."

At this time, the positions of the various ships of the squadron
were as follows:

_Macedonia_--At anchor as look-out ship.
_Kent_ (guard ship)--At anchor in Port William.
_Invincible_ and _Inflexible_--In Port William.
_Carnarvon_--In Port William.
_Cornwall_--In Port William.
_Glasgow_--In Port Stanley.
_Bristol_--In Port Stanley.

The _Kent_ was at once ordered to weigh, and a general signal was
made to raise steam for full speed.

At 8.20 A.M. the signal station reported another column of smoke
in sight to the southward, and at 8.45 A.M. the _Kent_ passed
down the harbour and took up a station at the entrance.

The _Canopus_, Captain Heathcoat S. Grant, reported at 8.47 A.M.
that the first two ships were 8 miles off, and that the smoke
reported at 8.20 A.M. appeared to be the smoke of two ships about
20 miles off.

At 8.50 A.M. the signal station reported a further column of
smoke in sight to the southward.

The _Macedonia_ was ordered to weigh anchor on the inner side of
the other ships, and await orders.

At 9.20 A.M. the two leading ships of the enemy (_Gneisenau_ and
_Nürnberg_), with guns trained on the wireless station, came
within range of the _Canopus_, who opened fire at them across
the low land at a range of 11,000 yards. The enemy at once
hoisted their colours and turned away. At this time the masts
and smoke of the enemy were visible from the upper bridge of the
_Invincible_ at a range of approximately 17,000 yards across the
low land to the south of Port William.

A few minutes later the two cruisers altered course to port, as
though to close the _Kent_ at the entrance to the harbour, but
about this time it seems that the _Invincible_ and _Inflexible_
were seen over the land, as the enemy at once altered course and
increased speed to join their consorts.

The _Glasgow_ weighed and proceeded at 9.40 A.M. with orders to
join the _Kent_ and observe the enemy's movements.

At 9.45 A.M. the squadron--less the _Bristol_--weighed, and
proceeded out of harbour in the following order: _Carnarvon_,
_Inflexible_, _Invincible_, and _Cornwall_. On passing Cape
Pembroke Light, the five ships of the enemy appeared clearly in
sight to the south-east, hull down. The visibility was at its
maximum, the sea was calm, with a bright sun, a clear sky, and a
light breeze from the north-west.

At 10.20 A.M. the signal for a general chase was made. The
battle-cruisers quickly passed ahead of the _Carnarvon_ and
overtook the _Kent_. The _Glasgow_ was ordered to keep two miles
from the _Invincible_, and the _Inflexible_ was stationed on the
starboard quarter of the flagship. Speed was eased to 20 knots at
11.15 A.M. to enable the other cruisers to get into station.

At this time the enemy's funnels and bridges showed just above
the horizon.

Information was received from the _Bristol_ at 11.27 A.M. that
three enemy ships had appeared off Port Pleasant, probably
colliers or transports. The _Bristol_ was therefore directed to
take the _Macedonia_ under his orders and destroy transports.

The enemy were still maintaining their distance, and I decided,
at 12.20 P.M., to attack with the two battle-cruisers and the
_Glasgow_.

At 12.47 P.M. the signal to "Open fire and engage the enemy" was
made.

The _Inflexible_ opened fire at 12.55 P.M. from her fore turret
at the right-hand ship of the enemy, a light cruiser; a few
minutes later the _Invincible_ opened fire at the same ship.

The deliberate fire from a range of 16,500 to 15,000 yards at the
right-hand light cruiser, who was dropping astern, became too
threatening, and when a shell fell close alongside her at 1.20
P.M. she (the _Leipzig_) turned away, with the _Nürnberg_ and
_Dresden_ to the south-west. These light cruisers were at once
followed by the _Kent_, _Glasgow_, and _Cornwall_, in accordance
with my instructions.

The action finally developed into three separate encounters,
besides the subsidiary one dealing with the threatened landing.

(B)--ACTION WITH THE ARMOURED CRUISERS

The fire of the battle-cruisers was directed on the _Scharnhorst_
and _Gneisenau_. The effect of this was quickly seen, when at
1.25 P.M., with the _Scharnhorst_ leading, they turned about 7
points to port in succession into line-ahead and opened fire at
1.30 P.M. Shortly afterwards speed was eased to 24 knots, and the
battle-cruisers were ordered to turn together, bringing them into
line-ahead, with the _Invincible_ leading.

The range was about 13,500 yards at the final turn, and increased
until, at 2 P.M., it had reached 16,450 yards.

The enemy then (2.10 P.M.) turned away about 10 points to
starboard and a second chase ensued, until, at 2.45 P.M., the
battle-cruisers again opened fire; this caused the enemy, at 2.53
P.M., to turn into line-ahead to port and open fire at 2.55 P.M.

The _Scharnhorst_ caught fire forward, but not seriously, and her
fire slackened perceptibly; the _Gneisenau_ was badly hit by the
_Inflexible_.

At 3.30 P.M. the _Scharnhorst_ led round about 10 points to
starboard; just previously her fire had slackened perceptibly,
and one shell had shot away her third funnel; some guns were
not firing, and it would appear that the turn was dictated by a
desire to bring her starboard guns into action. The effect of
the fire on the _Scharnhorst_ became more and more apparent in
consequence of smoke from fires, and also escaping steam; at
times a shell would cause a large hole to appear in her side,
through which could be seen a dull red glow of flame. At 4.4
P.M. the _Scharnhorst_, whose flag remained flying to the last,
suddenly listed heavily to port, and within a minute it became
clear that she was a doomed ship; for the list increased very
rapidly until she lay on her beam ends, and at 4.17 P.M. she
disappeared.

The _Gneisenau_ passed on the far side of her late flagship, and
continued a determined but ineffectual effort to fight the two
battle-cruisers.

At 5.8 P.M. the forward funnel was knocked over and remained
resting against the second funnel. She was evidently in serious
straits, and her fire slackened very much.

At 5.15 P.M. one of the _Gneisenau's_ shells struck the
_Invincible_; this was her last effective effort.

At 5.30 P.M. she turned towards the flagship with a heavy list
to starboard, and appeared stopped, with steam pouring from her
escape pipes and smoke from shell and fires rising everywhere.
About this time I ordered the signal "Cease fire," but before it
was hoisted the _Gneisenau_ opened fire again, and continued to
fire from time to time with a single gun.

At 5.40 P.M. the three ships closed in on the _Gneisenau_, and at
this time the flag flying at her fore truck was apparently hauled
down, but the flag at the peak continued flying.

At 5.50 P.M. "Cease fire" was made.

At 6 P.M. the _Gneisenau_ heeled over very suddenly, showing the
men gathered on her decks and then walking on her side as she lay
for a minute on her beam ends before sinking.

The prisoners of war from the _Gneisenau_ report that, by the
time the ammunition was expended, some 600 men had been killed
and wounded. The surviving officers and men were all ordered
on deck and told to provide themselves with hammocks and any
articles that could support them in the water.

When the ship capsized and sank there were probably some 200
unwounded survivors in the water, but, owing to the shock of the
cold water, many were drowned within sight of the boats and ship.

Every effort was made to save life as quickly as possible both
by boats and from the ships; life-buoys were thrown and ropes
lowered, but only a proportion could be rescued. The _Invincible_
alone rescued 108 men, 14 of whom were found to be dead after
being brought on board; these men were buried at sea the
following day with full military honours.

(C)--ACTION WITH THE LIGHT CRUISERS

At about 1 P.M., when the _Scharnhorst_ and _Gneisenau_ turned
to port to engage the _Invincible_ and _Inflexible_, the enemy's
light cruisers turned to starboard to escape; the _Dresden_ was
leading and the _Nürnberg_ and _Leipzig_ followed on each quarter.

In accordance with my instructions, the _Glasgow_, _Kent_, and
_Cornwall_ at once went in chase of these ships; the _Carnarvon_,
whose speed was insufficient to overtake them, closed the
battle-cruisers.

The _Glasgow_ drew well ahead of the _Cornwall_ and _Kent_, and
at 3 P.M. shots were exchanged with the _Leipzig_ at 12,000
yards. The _Glasgow's_ object was to endeavour to outrange the
_Leipzig_ with her 6-inch guns and thus cause her to alter coarse
and give the _Cornwall_ and _Kent_ a chance of coming into action.

At 4.17 P.M. the _Cornwall_ opened fire, also on the _Leipzig_.

At 7.17 P.M. the _Leipzig_ was on fire fore and aft, and the
_Cornwall_ and _Glasgow_ ceased fire.

The _Leipzig_ turned over on her port side and disappeared at 9
P.M. Seven officer and eleven men were saved.

At 3.36 P.M. the _Cornwall_ ordered the _Kent_ to engage the
_Nürnberg_, the nearest cruiser to her.

Owing to the excellent and strenuous efforts of the engine room
department, the _Kent_ was able to get within range of the
_Nürnberg_ at 5 P.M. At 6.35 P.M. the _Nürnberg_ was on fire
forward and ceased firing. The KENT also ceased firing and closed
to 3,300 yards; as the colours were still observed to be flying
in the _Nürnberg_, the _Kent_ opened fire again. Fire was finally
stopped five minutes later on the colours being hauled down, and
every preparation was made to save life. The _Nürnberg_ sank at
7.27 P.M., and as she sank a group of men were waving a German
ensign attached to a staff. Twelve men were rescued, but only
seven survived.

The _Kent_ had four killed and twelve wounded, mostly caused by
one shell.

During the time the three cruisers were engaged with the
_Nürnberg_ and _Leipzig_, the _Dresden_, who was beyond her
consorts, effected her escape owing to her superior speed. The
_Glasgow_ was the only cruiser with sufficient speed to have
had any chance of success. However, she was fully employed
in engaging the _Leipzig_ for over an hour before either the
_Cornwall_ or _Kent_ could come up and get within range. During
this time the _Dresden_ was able to increase her distance and get
out of sight.

The weather changed after 4 P.M., and the visibility was much
reduced; further, the sky was overcast and cloudy, thus assisting
the _Dresden_ to get away unobserved.

(D)--ACTION WITH THE ENEMY'S TRANSPORTS

A report was received at 11.27 A.M. from H.M.S. _Bristol_ that
three ships of the enemy, probably transports or colliers, had
appeared off Port Pleasant. The _Bristol_ was ordered to take the
_Macedonia_ under his orders and destroy the transports.

H.M.S. _Macedonia_ reports that only two ships, steamships
_Baden_ and _Santa Isabel_, were present; both ships were sunk
after the removal of the crew.

I have pleasure in reporting that the officers and men under my
orders carried out their duties with admirable efficiency and
coolness, and great credit is due to the Engineer Officers of all
the ships, several of which exceeded their normal full speed.

The names of the following are specially mentioned:

OFFICERS

Commander Richard Herbert Denny Townsend, H.M.S. _Invincible_.

Commander Arthur Edward Frederick Bedford, H.M.S. _Kent_.

Lieutenant-Commander Wilfrid Arthur Thompson, H.M.S. _Glasgow_.

Lieutenant-Commander Hubert Edward Danreuther, First and Gunnery
Lieutenant, H.M.S. _Invincible_.

Engineer-Commander George Edward Andrew, H.M.S. _Kent_.

Engineer-Commander Edward John Weeks, H.M.S. _Invincible_.

Paymaster Cyril Sheldon Johnson, H.M.S. _Invincible_.

Carpenter Thomas Andrew Walls, H.M.S. _Invincible_.

Carpenter William Henry Venning, H.M.S. _Kent_.

Carpenter George Henry Egford, H.M.S. _Cornwall_.

PETTY OFFICERS AND MEN

Ch. P.O. D. Leighton, O.N. 124238, _Kent_.

P.O., 2nd Cl., M. J. Walton (R.F.R., A1756), O.N. 118358, _Kent_.

Ldg. Smn. F. S. Martin, O.N. 233301, _Invincible_, Gnr's Mate,
Gunlayer, 1st Cl.

Sigmn. F. Glover, O.N. 225731, _Cornwall_.

Ch. E. R. Art., 2nd Cl., J. G. Hill, O.N. 269646, _Cornwall_.

Actg. Ch. E. R. Art., 2nd Cl., R. Snowdon, O.N. 270654,
_Inflexible_.

E. R. Art., 1st Cl., G. H. F. McCarten, O.N. 270023, _Invincible_.

Stkr. P.O. G. S. Brewer, O.N. 150950, _Kent_.

Stkr. P.O. W. A. Townsend, O.N. 301650, _Cornwall_.

Stkr., 1st Cl., J. Smith, O.N. SS 111915, _Cornwall_.

Shpwrt., 1st Cl., A. N. E. England, O.N. 341971, _Glasgow_.

Shpwrt., 2nd Cl., A. C. H. Dymott, O.N. M. 8047, _Kent_.

Portsmouth R.F.R.B.-3307 Sergeant Charles Mayes, H.M.S. _Kent_.

F. C. D. STURDEE.

BATTLE OF FALKLAND ISLANDS,

December 8th, 1914.

MESSAGES OF CONGRATULATION.

H.M.S. _Invincible_.
_11th December, 1914._

_Memorandum._

The following copy of a telegram received from the Admiralty, and the reply thereto, are forwarded for information. Both of these messages are to be read to the whole Ship's Company on the Quarter Deck of H.M. Ships under your command.

(Signed) F. C. D. STURDEE,
_Vice-Admiral_,
_Commander-in-Chief_.

_The Rear-Admiral and Officers Commanding
H.M. Ships,
South Atlantic and South Pacific Squadron._

_For_ ADMIRAL, _Invincible_. (_Date_) 9.12.14

_From_ ADMIRALTY.

The following message has been received for you from His Majesty:--

I heartily congratulate you and your officers and
men on your most opportune victory.

GEORGE R.I.

2. Our thanks are due to yourself and to officers
and men for the brilliant victory you have reported.

_Reply to_ HIS MAJESTY:

Your Majesty's gracious message has been received with pride and satisfaction by myself, the Rear-Admiral, Captains, Officers, and Ship's Companies under my command.

We hope soon to have the privilege of completing our mission by disposing of the remaining cruiser.

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, _Invincible_.

_Reply to_ THEIR LORDSHIPS:

Admiralty congratulations not received till to-day. Myself, officers and men desire to thank their Lordships for the approbation of our efforts.

_From_ C.-IN-C. HOME FLEETS, H.M.S. _Cyclops_.

(_Date_) 10.12.14. 1.14 A.M.

With reference to your telegram 485[10] may I be permitted to offer my sincere congratulations on the splendid success attending your dispositions.

_From_ ADMIRAL, _Marseillaise, Brest_. (_Date_) 10.12.14.

_To_ NAVAL ATTACHÉ.

I beg to express to the Admiralty how fully I share their joy at the brilliant revenge taken by the British Navy at the Falklands.

F.N.A. OFFICE.

_From Petrograd._

_To_ VICE-ADMIRAL STURDEE, _Admiralty, London_.

(_Date_) 12.12.14. 3.0 A.M.

Please accept Heartiest Congratulations from the Russian Navy for the Brilliant Action of your Squadron in fighting the Enemy and sweeping out the oceans.

VICE-ADMIRAL ROUSSIE NOMER.

_From_ C.-IN-C. HOME FLEETS, H.M.S. _Cyclops_.

(_Date_) 11.12.14. 4.58 A.M.

Submit the hearty congratulation of the Grand Fleet on his victory may be conveyed to Admiral Sturdee.

Messages exchanged between H.E. the Governor of the Falkland Islands and C.-in-C. South Atlantic and Pacific:

GOVERNOR _to_ VICE-ADMIRAL:

_11th December, 1914._

Warmest congratulations from self and Colony on your Victory.

VICE-ADMIRAL _to_ GOVERNOR:

May I thank you and the Colony for myself, the R.A., Captains, Officers and men of the Squadron for your congratulations on our success, which will not be complete until _Dresden_ is accounted for. We wish to convey our thanks for the early warning of the approach of the enemy due to the good lookout from Sapper's Hill.

We feel the honour that the _Canopus_ and the Squadron were in a position to prevent an old British Colony from being insulted or injured in any way, and hope that the enemy will have been taught a lesson not to repeat such action against any other part of the British Empire.

This Memorandum is to be read to whole Ship's Company on the Quarter Deck.

_Invincible, at Port William,_

_11th December, 1914._

_Memorandum._

The Commander-in-Chief wishes to congratulate all the ships of the squadron on the success of their main encounter with the enemy's squadron, and to thank the Rear-Admiral, Captains, Officers and Men for their individual assistance in attaining this great result. The zeal and steadiness under fire of all hands were most noticeable.

2. The victory will not be complete until the remaining cruiser is accounted for, and directly the squadron is coaled a further organised search will be made.

3. One of the greatest merits of the action is the small list of casualties due to the able handling of the ships by their Captains, who utilised the power of the guns and the speed of the ships to the best advantage. Further, the effective fire at long range and the thorough organization were very evident and enabled the action to be fought with success against a foe who displayed splendid courage, determination and efficiency.

4. The excellent way in which the Engine Room Departments responded to a sudden and unexpected demand reflects great credit on the officers and the whole engine room complements--this demand was made at a time when ships were coaling and making good defects during the few hours the ships were in harbour.

5. The successful disposal of the two powerful cruisers, two of the three light cruisers, and two colliers, will be of great advantage to the Naval Strategy of the British Empire.

6. Therefore all concerned can feel that they have performed a National Service on the 8th December, 1914, off the Falkland Islands.

(Signed) F. C. D. STURDEE,
_Vice-Admiral_,
_Commander-in-Chief_.

_The Rear-Admiral, Captains, Officers, and all concerned,
South Atlantic and South Pacific Squadron._

GALLANT SERVICES

"KENT" SERGEANT'S BRAVE DEED

_Lord Chamberlain's Office,
St. James's Palace, S.W.,
3rd March, 1915._

The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following appointment to the Most Honourable Order of the Bath in recognition of the services of the undermentioned Officer mentioned in the foregoing dispatch:--

_To be an Additional Member of the Military Division of the Third Class or Companion:_

CAPTAIN JOHN LUCE, Royal Navy.

_Admiralty, S.W.,
3rd March, 1915._

The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the award of the _Distinguished Service Cross_ to the undermentioned officers in recognition of their services mentioned in the foregoing dispatch:--

CARPENTER THOMAS ANDREW WALLS.
CARPENTER WILLIAM HENRY VENNING.
CARPENTER GEORGE HENRY EGFORD.

The following awards have also been made:--

_To receive the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal:_

Portsmouth R.F.R.B.-3307 Sergeant Charles Mayes, H.M.S. _Kent_. A shell burst and ignited some cordite charges in the casemate; a flash of flame went down the hoist into the ammunition passage. Sergeant Mayes picked up a charge of cordite and threw it away. He then got hold of a fire hose and flooded the compartment, extinguishing the fire in some empty shell bags which were burning. The extinction of this fire saved a disaster which might have led to the loss of the ship.

_To receive the Distinguished Service Medal:_

Chf. P.O. D. Leighton, O.N. 124238.
P.O., 2nd Cl., M. J. Walton (R.F.R., A1756), O.N. 118358.
Ldg. Smn. F. S. Martin, O.N. 233301, Gnr's Mate, Gunlayer, 1st Cl.
Sigmn. F. Glover, O.N. 225731.
Chf. E.-R. Artr., 2nd Cl., J. G. Hill, O.N. 269646.
Actg. Chf. E.-R. Artr., 2nd Cl., R. Snowdon, O.N. 270654.
E.-R. Artr., 1st Cl., G. H. F. McCarten, O.N. 270023.
Stkr. P.O. G. S. Brewer, O.N. 150950.
Stkr. P.O. W. A. Townsend, O.N. 301650.
Stkr., 1st Cl., J. Smith, O.N. SS 111915.
Shpwrt., 1st Cl., A. N. E. England, O.N. 341971.
Shpwrt., 2nd Cl., A. C. H. Dymott, O.N. M. 8047.

The following officers subsequently received recognition:--

Vice-Admiral Sir F. C. Doveton Sturdee, K.C.B., C.V.O., C.M.G., was honoured with a Baronetcy of the United Kingdom.

To be made Companions of the military division of the Bath:--

Captain John Luce (H.M.S. _Glasgow_).
Captain J. D. Allen (H.M.S. _Kent_).

Engineer-Commander E. J. Weeks was promoted to Acting Engineer-Captain.

The 1st Lieutenants of the _Invincible_, _Inflexible_, _Cornwall_, _Kent_, and _Glasgow_ were all promoted to the rank of Commander in the next batch of promotions on December 31st, 1914:--

Lieutenant-Commander J. Wolfe-Murray (_Cornwall_).
Lieutenant-Commander H. E. Danreuther (_Invincible_).
Lieutenant-Commander W. A. Thompson (_Glasgow_).
Lieutenant-Commander E. L. Wharton (_Kent_).
Lieutenant-Commander R. H. C. Verner (_Inflexible_).

Engineer Lieutenant-Commander J. F. Shaw, the senior officer of his rank in the squadron, was promoted to Engineer Commander.

LIST OF BRITISH CASUALTIES AT THE FALKLAND ISLANDS

The following is the complete revised casualty list of the action off the Falkland Islands on December 8th, 1914:--

H.M.S. "GLASGOW"

_Killed._--Martell, E. H., stoker petty officer, Po./310682.

_Dangerously wounded._--Bridger, M. J. E., A.B., Po./J7095.

_Severely wounded._--Ford, H. B. S., signalman, Po./J4597; Major, P. E., shipwright 2nd class, Po./344489; Scotchmer, A. D., A.B., Po./232275.

H.M.S. "INFLEXIBLE"

_Killed._--Livingstone, N., A.B., (R.F.R., Ch./B3593), Ch./190790.

_Slightly wounded._--Hasler, T., ord. seaman, Ch./J18032; Mayes, A., seaman, R.N.R., 4754A; Spratt, G. F., A.B., Ch./237219.

H.M.S. "KENT"

_Killed._--Kelly, S., pte., R.M.L.I. (R.F.R., A366), Po./3793; Kind, W. J., pte., R.M.L.I., Po./15049; Titheridge, A. C., pte., R.M.L.I. (R.F.R., B1254), Po./11220; Wood, W., pte. R.M.L.I., Po./16920; Young, W., seaman, R.N.R., 2543C.

_Died of wounds._--Duckett, G. A., officers' steward 1st cl., Po./L2428; Snow, G., pte., R.M.L.I., Po./16858; Spence, T., sergt., R.M.L.I. (R.F.R., A811), Po./5674.

_Wounded._--Arnold, W. P., R.M.L.I. (R.F.R., B860), Po./8302; Brewer, G. S., stoker petty officer (R.F.R., A3572), Po./150950; Day, F. T., pte., R.M.L.I. (R.F.R., A1008), Ch./6517; Lindsey, H., stoker 1st cl. (R.F.R., B3754), Po./SS101403; Joy, E., lance-corporal R.M.L.I. (R.F.R., B659), Po./10568; Pear, J., stoker 1st cl. (R.F.R., 4172), Po./SS102840; Restall, J., stoker 1st cl. (R.F.R., B4055), Po./291073; Sheridan, A. P., pte., R.M.L.I., Po./13708.

THE "DRESDEN": ACTION WITH "KENT" AND "GLASGOW"

The Secretary of the Admiralty makes the following announcement:--

On 14th March, at 9 A.M., H.M.S. _Glasgow_, Captain John Luce,
C.B., R.N.; H.M. Auxiliary Cruiser _Orama_, Captain John R.
Segrave, R.N.; and H.M.S. _Kent_, Captain John D. Allen, C.B.,
R.N., caught the _Dresden_ near Juan Fernandez Island.

An action ensued. After five minutes' fighting the _Dresden_
hauled down her colours and displayed the white flag.

She was much damaged and set on fire, and after she had been
burning for some time her magazine exploded, and she sank.

The crew were saved. Fifteen badly wounded Germans are being
landed at Valparaiso.

There were no British casualties, and no damage to the ships.

APPENDIX

A LIST OF OFFICERS SERVING IN THE ACTIONS RECORDED IN THE NARRATIVE