THE NAVAL BATTLE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13572, 28 December 1914, Page 3

THE NAVAL BATTLE.

DETAILS OF FALKLAND ISLAND ENGAGEMENT. HOW THE GERMANS FELL INTO A TRAP. 1 LONDON, Dec. 25. The officers of Admiral Sturdy' s squadron state they were coaling when the Germans approached. While steam was being got up the British breakfasted and had a good wash. The squadron then divided in a certain manner, and commenced the pursuit. When the Germans fournd what they had run. up against they made off at twenty knots. The. British were within range after six hours. Finding escape impossible, the enemy turned and accepted the inevitable. They fought .gallantly and went down with colors flying. Admiral Sturdee was unable to cap- ; ture any of the ships, which preferred to be sunk with their crews. The Nurnberg was sunk after five hours' fighting. The ' cables state that the British are now .oft' the coast, searching for the Dresden. ' ' , NEW YORK, Dec. 25. , The captain, of the steamer Orissa states that Admiral Sturdee arrived at the Falkland Ik-lands on November 7. On the following morning, while some vessels were coaling, another was outside doing guard duty. A German, war- ! ship was detected nearing the bay. A few minutes later five vessels were sighted. Admiral Yon Spee, presum- I ing the British cruiser was on guard alone, attempted to curt her off. She commenced the action while the Germans were closing in. Meanwhile other British ships came up. The Geri mans, realising that they were trapped, ! formed. The Scharnhorst, Gneisenatv and Leipzig- took up a line of battle, whilst the Nurnberg and Dresden dashed away. Tlie Germans opened fire at 13,000 metres. Admiral Sturdee did not reply till the distance was 8000. Soon there was a terrific bombardment, splendid weather conditions favoring the gunners. One cruiser engaged the Leipzig in a runninjr fight and sank her., The rest engaged the Scharnhorst and Gniesenau, and the former sank after a stubborn resistance, lasting an hbivr. The survivors were drawn up in the bows and refused to surrender. One British ship # was. slightly damaged below the waterline, but the rest were unscathed. . Eight British were killed in the action, and buried on the 10th. The commander of the Dresden, informed the captain of the Orisa that when the Germans arrived at the Falklands Islands Admiral Von Spee detached a ship to discover the facts concerning the reported presence of British ships. The cruiser returned and reported. When, he discovered the alleged .underestimated strength of the British, Admiral Spee persisted in fighting, but ordered the Leipzig,, Dresden and Nurnberg to retire beyond range, while the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau gave battle. NEW YORK, Dec. 26. Further details of the Falkland light are that two British battle cruisers lay in hiding until Admiral Yon Spee attacked the smaller ships! Then the battle cruisers came tearing along, each with, eight 'l2-inch guns swung out for action. Admiral Von Spee realised- that a terrible mistake had been made by him, and meanwhile the 12-inchers raked the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau* from stem to stern, opening gaping holes in the sides, and flames appeared in the upper works. Both ships then slowly heeled over and sank/. The Scharnhorst sunk ablaze. In the fight with the Leipzig most of the British casualties were sustained. When the Leipzig was sinking the British ceased fire to lower boats, and started rescue operations. Then the Leipzig landed another shell aboard the British vessel. The latter immediately poured a broadside on the enemy. The British officers, however, expressed regret at this. They said it was "the outcome of the heat of battle, and are inclined to think that the Leipzig's last shot was accidental. The British cruisers stopped to rescue the Nurnberg's survivors, enabling the Dresden and the transport Priujs Eitol Frederick** to escape. The was , without ammunition when she was sunk. , * Some of the officers stood at attention ahd the ship's glee club sang "Die Wacht am Rhine" as they went down. A large number of her crew were rescued. Both of Admiral Von Spec's sons perished. The British and French colonies at Monte Video gave a brilliant reception in honor of Admiral Sturdee. LESSON OF THE WAR. Reuter's Monte Video correspondent says that Admiral Sturdee, replying to the British Minister's' greeting, said Earl Roberts recommended' military preparation. If he had been listened to war would have been avoided. English business men, forgetting their true interests, employed ' Germans, for reasons of economy. He hoped the traders and English shipping companies had learned their lesson.,