THE SEA FIGHT OFF CORONEL, CHILE

Vice Admiral Graf von Spee's Report.

MYSTERY still surrounds this naval engagement between German and British squadrons off the coast of Chile, November 2, 1914, owing to the sinking of the British flagship, "Good Hope," together with Admiral Sir Christopher Cradock and crew of 800 men. His fighting force was, as he knew, much inferior to that of the Germans under von Spee who, in addition, displayed superior strategy. The battle was fought at nightfall in a heavy sea, and, in addition to the flagship, the British cruiser "Monmouth" was sunk.

Following von Spee's report is that of Captain Luce, of H. M. S. "Glasgow," which had a narrow and lucky escape under cover of darkness. There were no casualties on the German side, and von Spee reports but two men slightly wounded.

WIND and swell were head on and the vessels had heavy going, especially the small cruisers on both sides. Observation and distance estimation were under a severe handicap because of the seas which washed over the bridges. The swell was so great that it obscured the aim of the gunners at the six-inch guns on the middle deck, who could not see the sterns of the enemy ships at all and the bows but seldom. At 6.20 p.m., at a distance of 13,400 yards, I turned one point toward the enemy, and at 6.34 opened fire at a distance of 11,260 yards. The guns of both our armored cruisers were effective, and by 6.39 already we could note the first hit on the "Good Hope." I at once resumed a parallel course instead of bearing slightly toward the enemy.

The English opened their fire at this time. I assume that the heavy sea made more trouble for them than it did for us. Their two armored cruisers remained covered by our fire, while they, so far as could be determined, hit the "Scharnhorst" but twice and the "Gneisenau" only four times.

At 6.53, when 6,500 yards apart, I ordered a course one point away from the enemy. They were firing more slowly at this time, while we were able to count numerous hits. We could see, among other things, that the top of the "Monmouth's" forward turret had been shot away and that a violent fire was burning in the turret. The "Scharnhorst,"it is thought, hit the "Good Hope" about thirty-five times.

In spite of our altered course the English changed theirs sufficiently so that the distance between us shrunk to 5,300 yards. There was reason to suspect that the enemy despaired of using his artillery effectively and was maneuvering for a torpedo attack. The position of the moon, which had risen at 6 o'clock, was favorable to this move. Accordingly, I gradually opened up further distances between the squadrons by another deflection of the leading ship at 7.45. In the meantime it had grown dark. The range-finders on the "Scharnhorst" used the fire on the "Monmouth" as a guide for a time, though eventually all range-finding, aiming, and observation became so inexact that firing was stopped at 7.26.

At 7.23 a column of fire from an explosion was noticed between the stacks of the "Good Hope." The "Monmouth" apparently stopped firing at 7.20. The small cruisers, including the "Nurnberg,"received by wireless at 7.30 the order to follow the enemy and to attack his ships with torpedoes. Vision was somewhat obscured at this time by a rain squall. The light cruisers were not able to find the "Good Hope," but the "Nurnberg" encountered the "Monmouth," and at 8.58 was able by shots at closest range to capsize her without a single shot being fired in return. Rescue work in the heavy sea was not to be thought of, especially as the "Nurnberg" immediately afterward believed she had sighted the smoke of another ship and had to prepare for a new attack.

The small cruisers had neither losses nor damage in the battle. On the "Gneisenau" there were two men slightly wounded. The crews of the ships went into the fight with enthusiasm, every one did his duty and played his part in the victory.

THE REPORT OF CAPTAIN JOHN LUCE, OF THE "GLASGOW"

GLASGOW" left Coronel 9 a.m. on November 1 to rejoin "Good Hope" (flagship), "Monmouth" and "Otranto" at rendezvous. At 2 p.m. flagship signaled that apparently from wireless calls there was an enemy ship to northward. Orders were given for squadron to spread N.E. by E. in the following order : "Good Hope," "Monmouth," "Otranto," and "Glasgow," speed to be worked up to 15 knots. 4.20 p.m., saw smoke; proved to be enemy ships, one small cruiser and two armored cruisers. "Glasgow" reported to admiral, ships in sight were warned, and all concentrated on "Good Hope." At 5 p.m. "Good Hope" was sighted.

5.47 p.m. squadron formed in line-ahead in following order : "Good Hope," "Monmouth," "Glasgow," "Otranto." Enemy, who had turned south, were now in single line-ahead 12 miles off, "Scharnhorst" and "Gneisenau" leading. 6.18 p.m., speed ordered to 17 knots, and flagship signaled "Canopus," "I am going to attack enemy now." Enemy were now 15,000 yards away, and maintained this range, at the same time jambing wireless signals.

By this time sun was setting immediately behind us from enemy position, and while it remained above horizon we had advantage in light, but range too great. 6.55 p.m., sun set, and visibility conditions altered, our ships being silhouetted against afterglow, and failing light made enemy difficult to see.

7.3 p.m., enemy opened fire 12,000 yards, followed in quick succession by "Good Hope," "Monmouth," "Glasgow." Two squadrons were now converging, and each ship engaged opposite number in the line. Growing darkness and heavy spray of head sea made firing difficult, particularly for main deck guns of "Good Hope" and Monmouth." Enemy firing salvos got range quickly, and their third salvo caused fire to break out on fore part of both ships, which were constantly on fire till 7.45 p.m. 7.50 p.m., immense explosion occurred on "Good Hope" amidships, flames reaching 200 feet high. Total destruction must have followed. It was now quite dark.

Both sides continued firing at flashes of opposing guns. "Monmouth" was badly down by the bow, and turned away to get stern to sea, signaling to "Glasgow" to that effect. 8.30 p.m., "Glasgow" signaled to "Monmouth": "Enemy following us," but received no reply. Under rising moon enemy's ships were now seen approaching, and as "Glasgow" could render "Monmouth" no assistance, she proceeded at full speed to avoid destruction. 8.50 p.m., lost sight of enemy. 9.20 p.m., observed 75 flashes of fire, which was no doubt final attack on "Monmouth."

Nothing could have been more admirable than conduct of officers and men throughout. Though it was most trying to receive great volume of fire without chance of returning it adequately, all kept perfectly cool, there was no wild firing, and discipline was the same as at battle practice. When target ceased to be visible, gunlayers spontaneously ceased fire. The serious reverse sustained has entirely failed to impair the spirit of officers and ship's company, and it is our unanimous wish to meet the enemy again as soon as possible.