The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-18
THE sCHARNHORST Crew
CaEERED AS THE CRUISER
Sank beneath THE Waves

SsetAA S9tt4st n ln VIII III
Buenos Aires, Argentina, Dec. 49,
The German cruisers sent to the bottom
off the Falkland Islands on December
apparently were taken unawares by
the British, at time when neither side
was expecting an encounter. The first
detailed accounts of the battle. which
reached here yesterday from Puerto
Gailegos, Patagonia, say that the Ger
mans were on their way to seize the
Falkland Islands, British possession.
wren they came upon lone British
warship.
The other members of the British
heet were taking on supplies from
neighboring islands. Before the Ger.
mans were aware of the strength of
unelr opponents these ships closed in
on them and the fate of Admiral Won
specs squadron was sealed.
The story of the battle was told by
passengers on the British steamer Oris.
sa, which arrived at, Punta Arenas from
oaiiao, Chill. They say that the Ger.
mans fought bravely to the end. even
the golfers refusing to surrender.
Losses of the British were placed at 8
men.
~ was formidable British feet
winch faced the Germans Included in
~ were the battleship Canopus. the
oattie cruisers lnvincible and Infexible
ana the cruisers Kent, Cornwall, Carnar.
Won, BRISTOL and Glasgow = 1t far out
matched In strength the German squad.
ron, consisting of the five cruisers.
Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, Leipzig. Nurn
berg aud Dresden. ,,Nf
The British squadron arrived at Port
Stanley, Falkland Islands on December
Z to take on supplies. The next morn.
ing the Canopus, which was guarding
tne entrance to the port, sighted a hos
tile warship. Four others quickly
came INTO view and were recognized as
the squadron of Admiral Won Spec.
Ihe German warsliips had left the
Chiilan Islands of Juan Fernandez on
November 10 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 straight
at her. The Canopus opened fire and
the other British warshipa rushed to
her assistance.
The Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and
Leipzig formed in battle line. The
Nurnberg and Dresden, however.
/. dropped back from the firing line.s
The British warships concentrated
their fire on the Scharnhorst. Admiral
Won Spec s flagship. When it became
evident that she was doomed, her crew
assembled on the forward deck. The
Scharnhorst refused to surrender and,
after an hours fighting, plunged be-
meath the waves. The crew preserved
its formation as the ship went down,
and cheered as the waters closed about
them.
The Glasgow engaged the Leipzig
and sank her. The Gneisenau went
down so miles from Port Stanley. The
Nurnberg attempted to escape, but, aft
er pursuit of two hours, was sunk.
The Carnarvon pursued the Dresden.
hut was not swift enough to overhaul
her. and the German warship escaped.
After the battle the British picked
up 194 Germans, including few Off
GERS. OF these survivors, 100 were
from the crews of the two German col
liers. An opportunity to surrender was
offered the golfers, but it was refused
and they were sunk.
The cruiser Cornwall was damaged
slightly below the water line. None of
the other British warships was dam
aged.
On December 10 funeral services
were held for the eight British sailors
who were killed, in the presence of the
commanders and crews of the squadron.
The British Admiralty report of the
battle stated that only seven men of
the British squadron lost their lives.