NAVAL BATTLE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1335, 10 December 1914, Page 2

NAVAL BATTLE.

OFF FALKLAND ISLANDS. BRITISH AND GERMAN SQUADRONS ENGACED. SCHARNUORST, GNEISENAV AND LEIPZIG SUNK. TWO GERMAN COLLIERS CAPTURED. DRESDEN AND NURNBERG BEING PURSUED. BRITISH CASUALTIES VERY SLIGHT. London, Dec. 9. 8.20 p.tn. The German squadron consisting of the Scharnhorst (armoured cruiser, ix,600 tons, 17 knots, 8 8.2 inch and 6 6in, guns), Gneisenau (11,600 tons, 24.8 knots, 8 S.ain. and 6 6in. guns), Leipzig (light cruiser 3,250 tons, 23 knots, 10 4.1 m. guns), Nurnberg (light cruiser 3,450 tons, 23.5 knots, 10 4,iin. guns) and the Dresden (light cruiser, speed 24 yi knots) were sighted near the Falkland Islands, eastward of the straits of Magellan, off the coast of Patagonia, South America, by the British squadron under ViceAdmiral Slurdee. An action followed.

The Scharnhorst -was flying the flag of Vice-Admiral Count Von Spec. The Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Leipzig were all sunk. The Dresden and Nurnberg are being pursued.

Two colliers attached to the German squadron were captured. The British casualties are very slight.

Some survivors were rescued from the Gneisenau and Leipzig.

The Scharnost and Gueisenau were reported some time ago to be three days sail disiaut from the New Zealand coast. Since then the German squadron sunk the British cruisers Monmouth and Good Hope in an engagement off Valparaiso (Chili). The British cruiser Glasgow was also engaged and escaped and entered Valparaiso to refit. After being there for a period she was given seven days to finish her repairs and put to sea with the alternative of being interned. The particulars regarding the naval engagement off Valparaiso have been withheld by the Admiralty which has caused considerable comment throughout the press of Great Britain. No doubt the full details will now be published.

The Nurnberg, which is being pursued, was the cruiser which destroyed the Pacific Cable Co’s, station at Fanning Island.