Three German Cruisers Sunk

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 294, 10 December 1914, Page 5

Three German Cruisers Sunk

A SOUTH ATLANTIC ACTION Germany's Pacific Fleet Smashed British Losses Insignificant Exit the Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Leipsig Allies Steady Progress in Belgium ■—M ■ ■ * '"*■ ' ' ' ' I" ' < ' Relentless Advance of the Russians TURKEY LANDS IN TROUBLE '«, , t Rebel Beyer’s Death by Drowning

(Received 11.30 a.m.) London, December 9. His Excellency the Governor has received a cable from the Rt. Hon. L. V. Harcourt (Secretary of State for the Colonies) stating that the Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, and Leipsig had been sunk in action by a British squadron off the Falkland Islands In the South Atlantic, and that the Dresden and Nuremburg are being chased.

LAST OF GERMAN VICE-ADMIRAL VON SPEE. TWO COLLIERS CAPTURED. i BRITISH CASUALTIES SLIGHT. Per Press Association. Wellington, December 10. The text of the cable received by the Governor from Mr Harcourt. Secretary of State, is as follows: — The Admiralty announce that on the morning of December 8, the Scharnhorst*, Gneisenau, Nurnburg, Dresden and Leipzig were sighted near the Falkland Islands by a British squadron under Vice-Admiral Sturdee. An action followed, and the Scharnhorst, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral von Spee, the Gneisenau and Leipzig were all sunk. The Dresden and Nurnburg are being pursued. Two colliers were captured. Our casualties are very slight. Some survivors were rescued from the Gneisenau and Leipzig.

FURTHER CONFIRMATION. [United Press Association.] (Received noon.) London, December 9. Official.—Admiral Sturdee’s squadron, off the Falkland Islands, at (.30 on the morning of the Bth engaged and sank Yon Spee’s’flagship the Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, and Leipzig, and pursued the Dresden and Nurnhurg, and Admiral Sturdee captured two colliers. Our casualties were few. Some of the survivors of the Gneisenau and Leipzig were saved. AMERICA SPREADS THE GOOD NEWS. (Received 11.50 a.m.) Washington, Decemehr 0. The British Embassy has been officially informed that the British fleet sunk the Gneisenau, Scharnhorst and Leipzig off the Falkland Islands. , TrfREE BRITISH CASUALTIES. (Received 11.40 a.m.) The British squadron engaged and sunk the Scharnhorst, 'Gneisenau, and Leipzig off the Falkland Islands. There were three British casualties. THE SUNK SHIPS.

The Scharnhorst and Gneisenau are armoured cnxisers of 11,420 tons, with eALt B.2in, and six 5.9 in. guns, and a Complement of 765. The speeds are: Scharnhorst 22 knots, Gneisenau 23 knots. They were launched in 1908, and are sister ships. The Nurnberg is a protected cruiser of 3396 tons, 23 knots, with ten 4.1 guns, complement 295. The Leipzig is a protected cruiser of 3200 tons, 23 knots, with ted 4.lin. guns, and a complement of 286. The Dresden is a third-class cruiser of 3544 tons, length 364 feet, twelve 4.lin, four 2,1 in., and four machine guns; two submerged torpedo tubes.