AFTER-DINNER BATTLE

Evening Star, Issue 17368, 2 June 1920, Page 9

AFTER-DINNER BATTLE

STURDEE'S ACCOUNT OF A HISTORIC FIGHT. Speaking at a dinner at Lloyd's (London), Admiral Dovoton Sturdeo told an interesting story of his Falkland Islands victory on December 8, 1914. "It was \ good stand-up fight, and I always like to .say that I nave a great regard for my great opponent on that occasion, Admiral von tSpea He was a German and our enemy, but he was a gentleman, and ho spoke very nicely after ;be affair off Coronel about our admiral and about the British Navy. 1 think we ought to rem?mber that, because we do not always think the German truthful. At all events ha gave mo and our squadron, a ohanco by coming to call on me the day after I arrived. He came at a very convenient hour, because I had just finished dressing, and was able to give orders to rake steam at full speed and go down and have a very good breakfast. The fight," he went oil to say, " was a straight affair but he thought before coming to action it was wise to give everyone a good dinner; so when ha got up within reasonable, distance they eased speed and just watched, and then had dinner. Then they went in and attacked. Wo hod a good dinner and a very good fight in the end." The occasion of the admiral's visit to Lloyd's was to receive a massive silvergilt vase in recognition of hie distinguished services, and to commemorate hiß victory off the Falklands.