THE SEA FIGHT OFF CORONEL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2509, 9 July 1915, Page 5

THE SEA FIGHT OFF CORONEL

ECHO OF A NAVAL LOSS

COUNT VON SPEE'S.REPOR^ By Telegraph-Press Association-Oonyrislt (Rec. July 8, 10.55 p.m.) London, July 8. A report from Berlin states flat tlie late Admiral Count von Spec's report of tlio Cor'onel sea figlit lias been published. ."My squadron expected to attack a single British cruiser, and unexpectedly met Admiral Craddock's squadron. I opened fire at 6.30 fo.m., in a head wind. The ships rolled and pitched heavily, and observation and range-finding were most difficult, the seas sweeping over the forecastle, and conning-tower, preventing the use of somo or the guns on the middle .decks, where the crews were unable to see the enemy's sterns. " . "The guns of the two annoured cruisers (Schamhorst and Gneisenau),- however, worked splendidly." Admiral von Seo believes that the British suffered more by the heavy eeaß than did the Germans. The British only, hit the Sciharnhorst twice, and ' the Gneisenau four times. The Schamhorst reckoned thirty-five hits on the Good Hope. • . Admiral von Spoe, about 6.45-p.m.f thought .that -the British were, manoeuvring for torpedo firing, so he steered off. The Nurnherg sank the Monmouth with a bombardment at point: blank range. The Monmoutli did not reply, but went 'down s with her flag flying. There was no chance of saving anybody, owing to the heavy sea, es- , pecially as the Nurnberg had sighted smoke, winch was believed to be another enemy ship approaching.