NAVAL FIGHT OFF FALKLANDS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2343, 28 December 1914, Page 5

NAVAL FIGHT OFF FALKLANDS

GRAPHIC DETAILS OF THE ENGAGEMENT TERRIFIC BOMBARDMENT BY BATTLE CRUISERS '■/''■ (Reo. December 27, 3.30 p.m.) . •. : London, December'^. Officers of Vice-Admiral Sturde'e's Squadron state that they were coaling when the Germans approached. .While they wero getting up steam the ~British- breakfasted, and had a good wash. The squadron then divided in a certain manner, and commenced, the pursuit. When the Germans found what they had run up against they , made off at twenty knots, but they were within range after six hours. Finding escape impossible, they turned and accepted the inevitable/ They fought gallantly,' and went down with colours flying. Vice-Admiral Sturdee was unaoTe to' capture any of the ships, which preferred to sink with-their crews. The Nurnburg sunk after five hours' fighting. Cable messages 'state that the British are now off the const searching for the Dresden. •-■,'■ , ' ■■■■■' BRITISH BATTLE-ORUISERS GAME TEARING ALONG. ■ . ■''':,.. ■■'..-.■ ■ New York, December 26. Further details of the.Falkland fight show 'that two British battle-cruisers jay in Hiding until Admiral' von Spee attacked the_ smaller ships, then the battie-cruisers came tearing along, eaoh with her eight 12-inch guns swung out for aotion. Admiral von Spee realised his terrible mistake. ' Meanwhile the twelve-inchers raked the Scharnhorst and the Gnoisenau from stem tostern, opening-gaping holes in the'ir side's. Flames, appeared in the uppesworks of both ships, and they slowly heejed over and sunk. The Scnarn,horst sunk ablaze. ' ... - - In tho fight, between the Leipzig most of the Bntish. casualties were sustained. When the Leipzig was sinking'lne British ceased fire, lowered boats and started to rescue. It was then.that the Leipzig landed another shell aboard a British vessel. THe latter immediately poured a broadside mto the enemy. British officers, however, expressed regret at this, as they, said it. was the outcome of the heat of battle, and they are inclined to believe that the Leipzig's last shot was accidental. The British cruisers stopped to rescue the Nurnburg's survivors, enabling tho Dresden and the transport Prinz Eitel Frederick to escape. The Gneisenau was without ammunition when ehe. sank. Somo of the officers stood to attention and the ship s glee club sang 'Der WacM on der Rheino' , as they went down. A_ large number.of her crew were rescued. Both of Admiral,von Spee's sons perished. The British and French colonies in.Monte Video gave, a brilliant reception in honour of Admiral Sturdee. ' THE GERMANS WERE CLEVERLY TRAPPED . BRITISH WEEE SHORT OF OOAE'THROUGHOUT THE ACTION. ■'•■■• (Rec , . December 27, 3.40 p.m.),. ' • New York, December 25. The'captain of the steamer Orissa states that Vice-Admiral Sturdee arrived at the Falkland Islands on November 7. The following is his account of the engagement:—On the morning, while some vessels were coaling, another was outside the harbour ■on guard duty. A German warship was detected nearine the bay, and a few minutes later five vesesls, were sighted. Admiral von Spee presuming that'the British oruiser was on guard alone, attempted to cut he'r off ' She commenced action while the Germans were closing in. Meanwhile other British ships came up, and.the Germans, realising they, were trapped formed up the Scharnhorst- Gncisenau, and Leipzig in line of battle, while the Nurnburg and Dresden dashed away. The Germans opened fire at 13,000 metres. Vice-Admiral Sturdee did hot renlv till he got to eight thousand yards. Soon there was a terrific bombardment splendid weather conditions favouring the gunners. While ono cruiser engaged the Leipzig in a running fight, and sank her, tho rest eneased the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. Tho former sank after a stubborn resistance lasting" an hour. . The'survivors were drawn up on the. bows, and refused to surrender. ■ The Gneisenau made a desperate effort to escape, but was a battered, hopeless wreck, and founded after two hours. The Nurnbure was overtaken ninety nliles from the scene of the engagement, and was ouiciclv sent to the bottom. The British failed to ovortake the Dresden. The German transport also escaped, but tfio colliers were sunk after' the crewa tfere talten off Throughout the action the British were short of Coal, and bints and everything that would Burn were used as fuel. One British ship ~.' slightly damaged below the waterline, the rest came out'unscathed, and Eight British were kilted in the action, and buried on the tenth. The commander of tho Dresden mformeu the captain of the Orissn when the Germans arrived at'the Falklands Admiral von Spec detached n ship to discover the facts concerning the reported presence of British ships. The cruiser returned, and reported there wore Bntish cruisers. Admiral von Speo nvf'hWd for battle. When he'discovered that ho had under-estimated the strWieth of the. British, Admiral von /Spee persisted in lighting, but ordered the Leipzig, Dresden and Nurnburg to lotiro beyond range, while the Scharnhorst and iGnoisonau gave battle. : BRITISH ADMIRAL ENTERTAINED. AT MONTE * VIDEO. ' . . • ; (Rec. Dcconibcr 27, 4150 p.m.) . .-■■..'■' London, Duceiiiber 26. Renter's Monte Videa correspondent states that Vice-Admiral Sturdee, in replying to the British Minister's greeting, said the lute Lord Roberts had recommended military preparations. If kg had, list sum! to him this war would have been avoided. Englieh business men, forgetting their, true interests, ■employer] .Germans for ■ IW6IU w-duaiiow*, Hα h/aflatl that U'lidcfii aM IWlg. . list. Aiw)insu»>anaiiifis had JflAaoad g, Jefisqa* ■ ' ! '