SYDNEY'S FIGHT WITH THE EMDEN

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2305, 12 November 1914, Page 5

SYDNEY'S FIGHT WITH THE EMDEN

HOW THE RAIDER MET HER FATE CAUGHT DESTROYING THE TELEGRAPH STATION Sydney, November 11. The naval authorities have received the following further details of the capture and destruction of the Emden: — The Emdbn camo up to tho Cocos Group at 6 o'clock yesterday morning with an armed launch, towing two boats containing forty men, three officers, and four Maxims, who wore landed. Fifteen minutes after smashing the instruments and the wireless installation, except the condenser and the refrigerating machinery, tho Enulen|s men put back, when, in tho meantime, tho Sydney wmo in sight on the horizon, Tim JSukJcu iitimcdiaiulv put out W sea, leaviup the la.udiug party boats and men, behind..

The Emden started firing at tie Sydney, and at first her practice was excellent; afterwards it fell off. She lost tiro funnels and took fire astern in an hour. The Sydney was scarcely touched, though three of her men were killed and fifteen wounded. The Emden is now ashore on the north of Keeling, and is burnt. Captain Glossop, of the Sydney, says that he saw only thirty men on her (her normal crew was 820). Ho is now returning to her with our (probably the Eastern Cable Company's) doctor and assistance. The Emden's landing party commandeered two months' supplies and left on the schooner Ayesha, belonging to Mr. Boss, the owner of Cocos Island, at 6 in ihe evening. We were well treated and all are well. The office equipment was destroyed. A later message states that the Sydney -has returned from assisting the Emden's wounded, but that a party had not yet come ashore with details. London, November 10. British', French, and Japanese warships were in pursuit of the Emden. The .announcement that the trade Toutes were reasonably safe indicated that the Emden's movements were restricted to a known area.—("Times" and Sydney. "Sun" Services. ) LARGE FLEET SWEEPING FOR THE EMDEN. (Rec. November 11, 9 p.m.) Sydney, November 11. The latest official particulars of the destruction of the Emden show that a large combined operation by fast cruisers against the Emden had been in progress for some time. The search covered an immense area. The British cruisers wer« aided by Firench, Russian, and Japanese war vessels, working in harmony, and the cruiseTs Melbourne and Sydney being also included in the movements. "Yesterday morning news was reoeived that the Emden, which had completely disappeared after torpedoing the Russian cruiser Jemtohug, had arrived at Keeling Island for the purpose of destroying the wireless station, and cutting the cable. She was caught and forced to fight by the Australian cruiser Sydney. When the Emden caught fire astern, she ran on the beach, with a bad list. Her firing deteriorated miserably, presumably owing to the injuries received, and the absence of gunners with the landing party. She was then abandoned. The Emden's losses in, personnel are reported to have been heavy. All possible assistance was given to the survivors. A similar message has been received by the Prime Minister of New Zealand. . . CLEVER PIECE OF NAVAL STRATEGY. (Rec. November 11, 9 p.m.) Sydney, November 11. Messages received at the Navy Office point to _ the Emden's capture as the result of a clever piece of naval strategy. During the early part of the v/ar the Cocos cable station was well guarded, and the Emden was aware of the fact. A few weeks ago the guardship disappeared, and the operators feared a raid, realising that their wireless station, with its six hundred-mile radius, communicating with Perth and Singapore, must be a thorn in the Emden's side. When the raider appeared the operators at once recognised her. The staff watched the fight from the shore. Mr. H. H. Rowley, of New Zealand, was a member of the staff. The Admiralty announces that with the exception of the German squadron off Chile, the whole of the Pacifio and Indian. Oceans are now "clear. EMDEN'S CASUALTIES: 200 KILLED AND 30 WOUNDED. (Reo. November 12, 0.6 a.m.) Sydney, November 11. The Eastern Extension Company. states that the company's doctor has returned from Keeling Island. He reports that the EmdenV captain was not wcunded. The prisoners include the Kaiser's nephew, who is also uninjured. About two hundred were killed and thirty of the wounded were taken off the Emden, while some of the others, remaining at Keeling Island, will be picked up by a ship (returning later from the Cocos. Nothing has been seen-of the schooner Ayesha, but the island will be visited frequently while she is at large. The Sydney sank the Emden's collier, which was flooded prior to the capture. JUBILATION THROUGHOUT THE EMPIRE

WILD ENTHUSIASM IN SYDNEY. / Sydney, November 11, There is great jubilation that the Emden should have fallen to an Australian cruiser. 'There was wild enthusiasm by the crowds in the streets in the various cities. The "Sydney Morning Herald" says: "Australia certainly has-reason for congratulation that one of her cruisers brought the marauder's career to a full stop. Apart from, this, it is a gratifying fact that ths young Australian Navy at last has really been blooded, and in such auspicious circumstances." The "Daily Telegraph" says: "Thenows sent a pleasurable thrill through Sydney; more pleasurable because one of our own ships had removed a prowling meuace to peaceful shipping." , The Governor-General (Sir Ronald Munro-Ferguson) has telegraphed to the Prime Minister (Mr. Andrew Fisher) his delight at the news, and has asked him to congratulate the Sydney's crew. Mr. Fisher's comment was: "The news needs no adornment; Australians ought to prove themselves." The destruction of telegraphic instruments at Coeds bland has interfered with cable business, but the lines are now working again.

NEWS IN LONDON—WAR RATES EASED. London, November 10. There were exciting scenes in London when the loss of the Emden was announced. Special editions of the newspapers were speedily sold out, and tie street scenes were the most enthusiastio since the outbreak of the war. When the news reached Lloyds, a large crowd assembled, andthere was much enthusiasm. At the Baltic Exchange rousing cheers wore given when the Sydney's name was posted. The Eraden's disappearance has eased the war Tates, which are now slightly below the Government rates.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE .AUSTRALIAN NAVY. London, November 10. Sir George Reid (High Commissioner for Australia) is the recipient of congratulations from all quarters' on the Sydney's _ exploit. Mr. T. A. Coghlan (Agent-General for New South Wales) also received many congratulations. The news caused enthusiasm in Liverpool, cheers being given at the recruiting stations for the- Australian Navy. Ottawa, November 10. The Canadian Press heartily congratulates Australia on the magnificent work in destroying the Emden. The'newspapers assert that the oreation of the Australian Navy was an act of foresighted statesmanship, worthy of Canadian imitation at the earliest possible moment. , Dunodin, November 11. The Hon. J. Allen, who arrived at Dunedin yesterday, sent the following message to Senator Pearco, Minister for Defence, Molbourrie: "Heartiest congratulations on splendid work the Sydney has done." • An official message to the Prime Minister states .that the First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. Churchill) has sent the following message to the Sydney and to the Commonwealth Navy Boa?d: "Warmest congratulations en the brilliant entry of the Australian Navy into the war, and the signal service rendered to the Allied cause and peaceful oommerco by the destruction' of the Emden." • ' OOCOS ISLAND CABLE INSTRUMENTS REPAIRED. (Rec. November 11, 3.10 p.m.) Sydney, November 11. The Eastern Extension Company report that though the instruments at the Cocos Island station were smashed the cable ends were not destroyed. The, staff has effected repairs. I HOW THE ENEMY'S COAL SUPPLIES WERE OBTAINED. Sydney, November 11. The "Sydney Morning Herald's Manila correspondent states that over 33,000 tons of Australian and Japanese coal have passed into the hands of the enemy through commercial channels at Manila since the beginning of the war! The same is likely to continue unless the exporting countries stop sending supplies, as it aippears that ■ ihe Government authorities at Manila are powerless in the matter. • • ANOTHER RAIDER PUT OUT OP ACTION KONIGSBERG BOTTLED UP AT MAFIA ISLAND. London, November 10. The Press Bureau reports that the German cruiser Konigsberg has been imprisoned at Mafia Island by the Sinking of colliers in the channel. She is unable to do further harm. [Mafia is a large island, belonging to Germany, about ten mil«s off the coast of German East Africa, and 100 miles south _ of the British Island of Zanzibar, where the Konigsberg defeated the British crniser Pegasus about September 20. The southern end of the island, which is extensively planted with coconut palms, is continued by a reef, on which stands the chief village, Cliobe. The village is on a creek which is described as almost inaccessible to shipping.] RAIDER HIDING IN SHOAL WATER. London, November 10. - The Admiralty announces that after the whereabouts of the Konigsberg had been indicated by the attack on the Pegasus at Zanzibar on September 19 last, the staff arranged for a concentration of fast cruisers in African waters. Tho warship Chatham discovered the Konigsberg hiding in shoal water, six miles up the Rufiji River, opposite Mafia Island. The Chatham was unable to follow her, and bombarded both the Konigsberg and her crew, who were entrenched on shore. Owing to the dense palms where the vessel was hidden, tho Chatham's _ officers were unable to estimate the extent of the damage inflicted. Effective stops were taken to ensure tho capture or destruction of tho Konigsberg. CRUISER EFFECTIVELY BLOCKED IN THE RIVER. An official message to the Prime Minister of New Zealand (dated London, November 10) states that the Konigsberg was blocked in by sinking colliers in the only navigable channel. She is now.imprisoned, and unable to do furIhw liiu'tn, iiuej th<! f«st. vcnkrlb which had Seen for 'ier have thus Ijaan relais&d for. oiks fieryice^

The British cruiser Chatham is a seoond-ohws protected oruiser of 5400 J tons, 25} knots speed, carrying eight 6-inoh. guns, and secondary armament of j the usual light calibre. She was completed in 1912. The German cruiser. 1 Konigsberg (3350 tons), carries ten 4.1-inch guns and smaller armament, and j steams 23.5 knots. ■']

THE CRUISER HUNT IN THE SOUTH ATLANTIC

GERMAN SQUADRON OFR CHILEAN OOASTv

Now York, November 10. Vessels arriving from South American ports announce that a big British ' j fleet is searching the South Atlantio for the whereabouts of lihe German cruiser J Karlsruhe, which has been operating in the South Atlantic. ; Vancouver, November 10, A report from San Francisco states that tho Secret Sorvice has discovered a powerful wireless station at Esenada, Lower California, capable of i communicating with ships at a long distance seaward. j