THE BATTLE OF THE FALKLANDS

Vice Admiral Sturdee's Official Report.

WHEREAS the German Admiral, von Spee, had displayed superior strategy to the British in the engagement off Coronel, Chile, the reverse was the case on December 8, 1914, when he encountered another British squadron under Admiral Sturdee in the Battle of the Falklands. It had been a race on the part of the British ships to reach the Falkland Islands ahead of the German squadron, and von Spee played into the hands of Sturdee by arriving a day late and being caught completely off guard. This time, however, the Britons excelled the Germans in speed and gun-power, as yell as strategy.

In the memorable battle as here reported to the British Admiralty, the British lost 6 killed and had 16 wounded. Of the 5 German warships engaged, all were sunk except the "Dresden," which escaped and became a sea raider. Only 180 German officers and men were saved from a total complement of 2,200.

THE following dispatch has been received from Vice-Admiral Sir F. C. Doveton-Sturdee, K.C.B., C.V.O., C.M.G., reporting the action off the Falkland Islands on Tuesday, the 8th of December, 1914:

The squadron, consisting of H. M. ships "Invincible," flying my flag; "Inflexible," "Carnarvon," flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Archibald P. Stoddart; "Cornwall," "Kent," "Glasgow," "Bristol," and "Macedonia, arrived at Port Stanley, Falkland Island, at 10.30 a.m. on Monday, the 7th December, 1914. Coaling was commenced at once, in order that the ships should be ready to resume the search for the enemy's squadron the next evening, the 8th December.

At 8 a.m. on Tuesday, the 8th December, a signal was received from the signal station on shore : "A four-funnel and two-funnel man-of-war in sight from Sapper Hill, steering northwards."

At this time the positions of the various ships of the squadron were as follows : "Macedonia": At anchor as look-out ship. "Kent" (guard ship) : At anchor in Port William. "Invincible" and "Inflexible": In Port William. "Carnarvon" : In Port William. "Cornwall": In Port William. "Glasgow": In Port Stanley. "Bristol" : In Port Stanley.

The "Kent" was at once ordered to weigh, and a general signal was made to raise steam for full speed.

At 8.20 a.m. the signal station reported another column of smoke in sight to the southward, and at 8.43 a.m. the "Kent" passed down the harbor and took up a station at the entrance.

The "Canopus" reported at 8.47 a.m. that the first two ships were 8 miles off, and that the smoke reported at 8.20 a.m. appeared to be the smoke of two ships about 20 miles off.

At 8.50 a.m. the signal station reported a further column of smoke in sight to the southward.

The "Macedonia" was ordered to weigh anchor on the inner side of the other ships, and await orders.

At 9.20 a.m. the two leading ships of the enemy ("Gneisenau" and "Nurnberg"), with guns trained on the wireless station, came within range of the "Canopus," who opened fire at them across the low land at a range of 11,000 yards. The enemy at once hoisted their colors and turned away. At this time the masts and smoke of the enemy were visible from the upper bridge of the "Invincible" at a range of approximately 17,000 yards across the low land to the south of Port William.

A few minutes later the two cruisers altered course to port, as though to close the "Kent" at the entrance to the harbor, but about this time it seems that the "Invincible" and "Inflexible" were seen over the land, as the enemy at once altered course and increased speed to join their consorts.

The "Glasgow" weighed and proceeded at 9.40 a.m. with orders to join the "Kent" and observe the enemy's movements.

At 8.40 a.m. the squadron less the "Bristol" weighed, and proceeded out of harbor in the following order: "Carnarvon, inflexible, invisible, and "Cornwall." On passing Cape Pembroke Light, the five ships of the enemy appeared clearly in sight to the southeast, hull down. The visibility was at its maximum, the sea was calm, with a bright sun, a clear sky, and a light breeze from the northwest.

At 10.20 a.m. the signal for a general chase was made. The battle cruisers quickly passed ahead of the "Carnarvon" and overtook the "Kent." The "Glasgow" was ordered to keep two miles from the "Invincible," and the "Inflexible" was stationed on the starboard quarter of the flagship. Speed was eased to 20 knots at 11. 15 a.m. to enable the other cruisers to get into station.

At this time the enemy's funnels and bridges showed just above the horizon.

Information was received from the "Bristol" at 11.27 a.m. that three enemy ships had appeared off Port Pleasant, probably colliers or transports. The "Bristol" was therefore directed to take the "Macedonia" under his orders and destroy transports.

The enemy were still maintaining their distance, and I decided, at 12.20 p.m., to attack with the two battle cruisers and the "Glasgow."

At 12.47 p.m. the signal to "Open fire and engage the enemy" was made.

The "Inflexible" opened fire at 12.55 p.m. from her fore turret at the right-hand ship of the enemy, a light cruiser; a few minutes later the "Invincible" opened fire at the same ship.

The deliberate fire from a range of 16,500 to 15,000 yards at the right-hand light cruiser, who was dropping astern, became too threatening, and when a shell fell close alongside her at 1.20 p.m. she (the "Leipzig") turned away, with the "Nurnberg" and "Dresden" to the southwest. These light cruisers were at once followed by the "Kent," "Glasgow" and "Cornwall,"in accordance with my instructions.

The action finally developed into three separate encounters, besides the subsidiary one dealing with the threatened landing.

The fire of the battle cruisers was directed on the "Scharnhorst" and "Gneisenau." The effect of this was quickly seen, when at 1.25 p.m., with the "Scharnhorst" leading, they turned about 7 points to port in succession into line ahead and opened fire at 1.30 p.m. Shortly afterwards speed was eased to 24 knots, and the battle cruisers were ordered to turn together, bringing them into line ahead, with the "Invincible" leading.

The range was about 13,500 yards at the final turn, and increased, until, at 2 p.m., it had reached 16,450 yards.

The enemy then (2.10 p.m.) turned away about 10 points to starboard and a second chase ensued, until, at 2.45 p.m., the battle cruisers again opened fire; this caused the enemy, at 2.53 p.m., to turn into line ahead to port and open fire at 2.55 p.m.

The "Scharnhorst" caught fire forward, but not seriously, and her fire slackened perceptibly; the "Gneisenau" was badly hit by the "Inflexible."