The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-12-18
BUT "a GERMANS
SAVED IN FIGHT
OFF FALKLANDS
Kaiser's Ships Fought To Last
Gun Against Superior British
Fleet i'm Atlantic
GENEISENAU FOUGHT
SQUADRON TWO HOURS
British Caught Short of Fuel,
Break Up Boats and Woodwork
To Prolong Fighting

BuENOS AYRES, Dec. 1.-THE
first complete story of the battle on
the Falkland islands between the Brit
ish and German fleets reached here
today.
How the Germans fought with the
utmost bravery and determination in
the face OF superior British fleet. even
the Golfers refusing to surrender, is
related in a story brought by the
steamer Orisa from Punta Arenas.
At the same time reports from Brit.
ish sources stated that a miscalcula.
ton as 10 the strength OF the British
led Admiral Won Spec TO give battle,
which resulted in the destruction OF
his squadron.
The British feet, including the bat.
tie cruisers Invincible and lnfiexible.
and the cruisers Kent, Cornwall, Car.
naryon. Bristol and Glasgow, put in
at the Falklands for coal that they
might continue their search for the
German feet. the Orisa story states.
AT the Falklands they found the Cano-
pus guarding the ports. There were
thus eight warships assembled, when.
vi Nit hiCIulhS Oh lut smoke
from the German fleet was sighted.
The Germans were coming from
Robinson Cruso's island TO destroy
the wireless station in the Falklands.
Evidently Admiral Won Spec conclud-
ed that the British feet was compos-
ed only OF light cruisers. for be steam
ed direct upon the squadron OF Vice
Admiral Sir Frederick Sturdee The
German feet came within three miles
Of the British before the full strength
OF the latter appeared 10 be discov-
cred
According 10 the latest story reach.
ing here, the British cruiser Cornwall
was damaged below the water line,
but the injury was not serious. The
other vessels escaped entirely unin.
jured. The British losses are declar.
ed TO have been eight killed and four
wounded. OF the crews OF the four
German vessels sunk, only 81 men
were saved, IL is stated. Then the
Scharnhorst, fling, Admiral Won
Specs flag. the Gneisenau and the
Leipzig rounded into battle line. The
Nurnberg and Dresden remained in
the rear. out of range, and as the two
larger vessels closed In with the Brit
ish. they endeavored TO escape.
The Leipzig was the first German
vessel to go down. Tho Glasgow sank
her quickly The British vessels then
concentrated their fire on the flag.
ship Scharnhorst II was not until
an hour had elapsed. however. after
| tire sinking OF the Leipzig. that the
| Scharnhorst refused To surrender.
! fire. with her guns still in action. the
Scharnhorst refuse dto surrender
The British ships redoubled their ter
rible fire. and the flagship finally dived
20 the bottom bow first. carrying the
lGerman feet commander with her
With the Scharnhorst disposed OF
the British turned their attention Il
itfe Gneisenau. The fight in which
the GneIsenau faced practically the
entire British squadron lasted for two
hours On fire, herr guns silence1
T and reduced TO a mass OF ruins the
Cneisanau went down.
The Nurnberg was sunk so miles
kfrom the scene of the main engage
inent after being rHn down by one
OF the British cruisers. The cruiser
carnarvon gave chase To the Dresden
For hours the Caruaryon trailed close