THE KENT’S VICTORY

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1929, Page 7

THE KENT’S VICTORY

A 1914 eight: LONDON, Dec. 20. The afternoon was well advanced and a wet mist was coming down, when the British armoured cruiser Kent overtook the German light cruiser Nuremberg, 'to the south of the Falkland Islands, on December 8, 1914. The Kent had started in chase nearly seven miles astern, and by the splendid wm of her stokers and engineers had been able to overhaul her much more modern enemy.

W hen the British ship was once within range the Germans had no chance left. The Kent fired a broadside ol 9001 b from nine Gin. guns; the Nuremberg fired broadside of only 175 lb. from seven 4.2 in. guns. Moreover, the Kent was protected hy 4 to 5 inclios of steel on her guns and waterline, whereas the Numerberg had no armour protection at all except on her conning Lower. The British ship gradually closed. Though the Germans oflered a most determined resistance, alter 40 minutes firing their vessel was a complete wreck, down by the stern, with a heavy list, and badly on lire. The effect of the British shells had been devastating. The engines stopped and the vessel could no longer move; but her shattered crew re I used to lower the German Hag or make any signal of surrender. The Kent ceased fire for some minutes in the belief that she would strike; and then, ns she still Hew the Gciiuan Hag. closed upon her and fired a lew more shots. Thereupon, according to the British, account, she hauled down her Hag. The Germans maintained mat she kept her Hag showing to the last. She sank about, 7.30 that evening, and of her crew of about 309 only 7 men were saved owing to the coldness ol the water, the damage that had been done to the Kent’s boats.and the huge albatrosses which attacked the Gcinians in the water. 1 he British loss-was G killed and v wounded. All these casualties were due to the explosion of a single shell „ n the port of a casemate, which set iii’e to a quantity of ammunition. Capt .T. D. Allen, who commanded me Kent, was unable to signal news ol his victory at once, as his wireless •-ear was shot away, and Lord Fistic at the Admiralty in London, was loft in suspense for many hours. Otherwise the Kent sustained no serious damage.