Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-12-18
SEA BATTLE DESCRIBED.
Details Of Sinking Of German Fleet or
Falkland Islands.

dtkj6nO 1SIdHOBs
Buenos Aires, Dec. 1s-The German
cruisers sent to the bottom at the Falk-
land Islands on Dec. s, apparently were
taken unaWares by the British at a
time when neither side was expecting
Ell encounter The FIRST detailed ac-
counts Of the battle which reached here
Thursday from Puerto Kaliegos. Pata-
gonia, say that the Germans were on
their way to seize the Falkland Islands.
British possessions, when they came
unexpectedly upon lone British war
ship.
The other two members OF the Brit
tsh fleet were taking on supplies from
neighboring islands at the time. Before
the Germans were aware ~ the
strength Of their opponents ti:rse ships
closed in on them and the fate of Adj
miral Won Specs squadron was soon
sealed.
Heard at caIIao.
The story Of the battle was told by
passengers on the British steamer
Orissa, which arrived at Punta Are
mas, from Callao Chile. They say that
the Germans fought bravely to the
end, even the, Golfers refusing to sur
placed at eight.snen..
1t was formida blg British squadron
which faced the eGernlans Included
In it were the battleship Canopus. the
battle cruisers Invincibie and Infiexib,e
and the cruisers Kent. Cornwall. Car
,narvon, Bristol and Glasgow 1t far
outnumbered in strength the German
squadron, consisting Of five cruisers,
Scharnhorst. Gneissenau Leipzig,
Nurnberg and Dresden.
At Port SantIcy.
The British squadron arrived at Port
Santley. Falkland Islands. on Dec 7.
to take on supplies The next morn
Ing the Canopus, which was guarding
the entrance to the port sighted a
hostile warship. Four others quickly
came into view and were recognized
as the squadron of Admiral Won Sree
The German warships had left the Chill
can Islands of Juan Fernandez on Nov
Is for the Falkland Islands. TO take
possession of the islands and destroy
the wireless station.
Only the Canopus was visible at
first to the Germans, who steamed to
the straits The Canopus opened fire
and the other British warships
rushed to her assistance.
The Scharnhorst ,Gneisenau and
Leipzig formed in battle line. The
Nurnberg and Dresden, however,
dropped back from the firing line.
Germans Game.
The British warships concentrated
their fire on the Scharnhorst. Ad-
miral Won Specs flagship. When it be-
came evident that she was doomed her
crew assembled on the forward deck.
The Scharnhorst refused to surrender
and after an hours lighting, plunged
beneath the waves. The crew preserved
it's formation as the ship went down
and cheered as the waters closed about
them.
Leipzig Sinks.
The Glasgow engaged the Leipzig
and sank her The Gneisenau went
down eighty miles from Port Stanley
The Nurnberg attempted to ESCAPE,
but after a pursuit of two hours was
sunk. The Carnarvon pursued the
Dresden but was not swift enough to
overhaul her and the German warshiu
escaped.
After the battle the British picked up
19i Germans, including few officers
OF these survivors 100 were from the
crews Of the two German Golfers. An
opportunity to surrender was offered
the golfers but 1t was refused and thew
were sunk.
The cruiser Cornwall was damaged
slightly below the waterline. None OF
the other British warships were
| damaged. On Dec. 10 funeral services
were held for the eight British sailors
who were killed, In the presence OF the
commanders and crews of the SQUAD /.