"DEEDS MEN DO"

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3060, 3 October 1933, Page 3

"DEEDS MEN DO"

SECONDARY SCHOOL. BEST HIGH SCHOOL ESSAY. ■ (By C. H. Boycc, aged 17, Form VI., Cambridge District High School). The picture, "Deeds Men Do," which was screened in Cambridge recently presents a most vivid and realistic description of what actually occurred at those two great naval battles, Coronel and Falkland Islands. The German fleet, which consisted of the heavy sister ships, "Scharnhorst" and " Gncisonau," and the light cruisers "Dresden" and "Leipzig," was under the command of that great naval officer, Admiral von Spee. The British fleet under Admiral Cradock was cruising around the dreaded Cape Horn and South American ports in the hope of locating the wily Germans. The "Good Hope" was the flagship, while the "Glasgow," "Monmouth" and "Carnopus" completed the fleet. At length, a German wireless message was intercepted and the British fleet proceeded north by north-cast.

It was at Coronel that the two fleets met. Immediately on sighting the enemy, preparations were begun on the British vessels in such an orderly and rapid manner that they were finished in very good time. The Germans were the first to attack, owing to the greater calibre of their guns, but a battle royal was soon in progress. Sharp, staccato orders, which were rapped from the curt tongues of the various officers, were carried out with an efficiency and rapidity which speaks well for all concerned. The British ships, though fighting gallantly against heavy odds were overwhelmed by the superior German vessels. The scene became an orgy of slaughter and horror. Shell after shell crashed into the quivering hull of the "Good Hope" with deafening force. Fire broke out soon afterwards in the hold of the ship, but still the crew, beaten and battered, fought gamely. .Those remaining had the option of death in a raging furnace or drowning. Admiral Cradock was cool and collected, brave to the last. The "Good Hope" rolled over, shook from bow to stern, lay still for but a moment, and plunged into , the depths of the ocean. The "Glasgow," battered and worn, made good her escape in the meantime. In vain did messages from Britain flash out into the Pacific. "Good Hope!" "Good Hope!" came the urgent plea to silent waters. When the news became known in Britain, the event was regarded as a national catastrophe. The Germans were delighted, celebrations took place all over the country, and the British Navy was decried.

Yet, in a time of clef oat, Britain had rocks of strength on whom she placed her reliance. The cruisers ''lnvincible" and "Inflexible," on which work- had been progressing steadily, were now taken in hand. Work upon them was ceaseless. Day and night men. toiled at thorn.. By the 11th November, 1014, these two vessjls .were ready, and under the command of Admiral Sturdee, they sailed to avenge the crushing defeat of Coroncl. Progress was steady for several weeks and little was known of the movements of the ships. The Germans meanwhile, thinking their victory was complete, had proceeded to tie Falkland Islands to repair and renovate their ships. One evening, however, a woman living on the main island noticed smoke on the far horizon. News flashed round the islands like wildfire and telescopes revealed the Gorman fleet approaching.

Meanwhile work on I card the two big British vessels had been, at, feverheat. Aboard the Kent even a harmonium was sacrificed to the raging furnaces. Sturdee was mapping out his programme reservedly, steadily, but surely. Nothing was left to chance on this occasion, and the British fighting spirit was right up. The Germans placed their trust in their big vessels once more, but they were to find a much more formidable opponent than the "Good Hope." Immediately the "Invincible" was within range of the German flagship, a heavy fire was opened. Sturdee, however, manociivred his ships with the efficiency of a great leader. Once the real fighting commenced the Bri.'.sh ships held the upper hand. Firing with •deadly accuracy the British gnnr.oio played havoc with the weaker German vessels. Discipline ruled upon the British ships whereas the Germans became bustled and their firing, erratic. The scone of Coronel was repeated, hut tl;is time the Germans were the victims. The fighting was fast and furious, but the Germans were the first to fade. Their defeat was complete. The "Dresden" was the only ship to escape the murderous fire of those deadly British vessels. Man after man plunged into the ocean, rather than die on their burning ship. Boats were manned from the two British cruisers and

every man who could possibly be saved was taken aboard the "Invincible." Some brave lads, rather than accept life from the enemy, preferred to die for their country, and accordingly went down with their ship.

On hearing the news of the British triumph, Lord Fisher, who had organised the second visit to South American waters, was greatly relieved. The British nation had confirmed its title of "Mistress of the Seas," and its reputation was enhanced. The bravery of her subjects in victory and defeat is a tribute to Britain's greatness, and if she continues to produce such gallant men, she long will continue to be a great nation.