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Hokitika Guardian, 3 October 1932, Page 8

which 'at that date were only carried by sliip3 of immense fighting force, such as battle-cruisers or dreadnought battleships. But as yet most of the observers in Spee’s ships did not make out the tripod masts in 'the harbour, Not till too late did they discover tlfat; battlecruisers were actually there, and then at Spee’s order they took immediate flight. The' British battle-cruisers - could steam' 25 knots to the 21' which was Spee’s utmost speed, and they were so superior in armament that the issue Was never in doubt. The battle that followed was protracted because Admiral Sturdee determined to' fight • at so as to avoid any risk of serious damage to his two'precious cruisers. ' Tile day was a brilliant one, : and the distance of vision was exceptional 1 ' when the German ordeal began. - About 1.30 in the afternoon the guns opened, and witTi some intervals continued their grim work all the afternoon till about 4 p.m., • when the Scliarnhorst, wiufi only one of hei four funnels standing, inid with great fires blazing in hei 1 - amidships, slowly turned over' and sank,' taking'with her 1 to the bottom Admiral von Spee and all on board. There could be no attempt at rescue, because the engagement continued. The Gneisenau’s existence was nrotractod for another two hours before she, too, went down after fearful losses 'had been inflicted on hei' officers and men.

So icy ivas the water, though it was then summer in th« "Southern Hemh sphere, 1 that many of the Germans died of exhaustion in the sea or in boats after the British had reached them. Rafts, ropes, etc., Wefe used ns a means of saving the Germans in the water, and a number of. survivors were taken aboard the Inflexible, but many idied fi'oni exposure to the bitter cold. The British bad no more than one i m an killed; Two of the three German flight-cruisers were dstroyod the same day. Thus passed out Admiral von Spec.