FALKLAND ISLANDS, BATTLE OF

THE—After the disaster off Coronel 1, 1914) the Brit. Admiralty decided to redre the conseby a concerted effort to hunt von Spee’s squadron, which other might hold up the nitrate trade Chile, establish a base on the Islands, or attack Botha’s transports while on their way to Ger. Africa. Two battle-cruisers, Invincible and Inflexible, were detached the Grand Fleet, and, under the of Admiral Sturdee, who flew flag on Invincible, secretly departed Plymouth at 4.45 p.m. on Nov. 11. the scanty information available, appeared that the Ger. squadron had yet pa ed the Horn, consequently nece ary for the Brit. squadron reach the W. coast of S. America quickly as po ible. Sturdee, there made all speed to reach the coal station of the Falkland Islands. the morning of Monday, Dec. 7 ships entered the harbor of Port Early next morning (Dec. 8) had not completed the operation at 7.50 the signal station reported two strange ships of war were approaching from the southward. They Gneisenau (armored cruiser) and Nurnberg (ight cruiser,) the van of Spee’s squadron; following them of von Spee), and Dresden and (light cruisers,) accompanied by tenders. At 11,000 yds. range fired with both guns of her fore-turret, but her shots fell short. had already been sent to the mouth as a lookout, and Glasgow now ordered to join her. At 10 as the rest of the squadron through the minefield, Glasreported that the enemy ships were steaming southwards as fast as they could. Von Spee had 15 m. start, but by 10.45 was but 12m. ahead. By 12.50 the battle-cruisers had worked up to 25 knots, and the general signal to engage was made. Von Spee now saw that his light cruisers could only be saved by breaking up his formation. Accordingly he signalled to them to scatter and make for the 8. American coast, while he, with the armored cruisers, fought it out to the last. The three light cruisers thereupon made off to the southward (1.25) and were followed by Glasgow, Cornwall, and Kent. About 1.25 the main action began at a range of 14,000 yds. Gunnery was, however, greatly hampered by smoke, and maneuvering followed. Von Spee closed the range at 2.59 when the action grew hot, both sides securing hits, but the Brit. ve els suffered little damage. By 3.10 the Brit. 12-in. guns had so far a erted their mastery that Gneisenau had taken a list and Scharnhorst was on fire. By 3.30 the latter ve el ‘was a shambles of torn and twisted steel and iron,’ and through the gaping holes in her side could be seen a dull red glow as of a furnace. At 4.17 she turned over on her beam-ends and sank with all hands, her flag flying to the last. The battle-cruisers, now a isted by Carnarvon, concentrated on Gneisenau, which continued firing at intervals until 4.45. A quarter of an hour later she heeled over and sank. Some 200 of her crew were rescued, but many of them failed to survive the shock of the icy cold waters. Leipzig, which was chased by Glasgow and Cornwall, was then still afloat, but she suffered the fate of her sister. Dresden escaped, but was ultimately destroyed at Juan Fernandez on March 18, 1915. VISCOUNT (c. 1610-43), Eng. soldier and politician; fought against Scots (1639); member of Short and Long Parliaments; at first supported Parliamentary party; Sec. of State (1642); espoused Royal cause, and killed at Newbury (1643).