The Ocala evening star., 1915-01-23
FIGHT OFF
THE FALKLANDS
STORY OF THE DESTRUCTION
OF COUNT Won SPECS
SQUADRON
Especial Dispatch 1. N. S.


al battle off the Falkland Islands
when the British fleet of Vice Admi-
raj Sturdee sank the German vessels
Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, Leipzig and
Nurnberg, were given here by lieu
tenant aboard the dreadnaught Invin-
chile, the English flagship, which call
ed here.
Sturdee's vessels were coaling in
Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, leav-
ing the Cruiser Canopus to perform
scout duty outside, when at 7:S0 A.
M. lookout aboard the scout spied
the first German craft on the hori-
zon. Sturdee was informed and or
dered the cruisers Glasgow and Kent
to put to sea at once.
The three cruisers served as a lure
to Admiral Won Spec. Believing the
enemy was inferior he advanced at
full speed and opened cannonade.
Half an hour after the first German
had been seen from the Canopus the
entire British suadron suddenly ap-
peared, led by the great dreadnaughts
Invincible and Infiexible.
Won Spec realized he was about to
be trapped and ordered retreat. 1t
was too late. The German vessels
scattered as they fed, but the British
also divided forces and rapidly over
hauled them.
The Glasgow got within range of
her quarry first and fired at the
Leipzig. The latter fought with her
stern guns, but rapidly displayed an
/ inferiority as the shells of the Brit
isher landed with precision.
The cruiser Kent came up with the
NurnbergI and did considerable dam
age; while>the cruiser Cornwall steam
ed close to the Dresden.
The latter had reached a position
far in advance of the rest of the Ger
man feet and she won the only advan-
tage of the Germans in the battle.
She sent broadside into the Cornwall
below the waterline and hurt her so
that the Dresden escaped, as did al
so one of the German auxiliary cruis-
ers.
The principal struggle centered
about the Scharnhorst and Gneisnau.
These were the largest of the German
vessels, although vastly inferior to
the Invincible and Infexible.
BY one o'clock in the afternoon the
Scharnhorst and Gneisnau had been
brought to bay and were forced to
turn and fight. They attempted to
concentrate their guns to the Irwin
chile and with a howitzer shell cut
one of the British four inch guns in
two. They also sent ball through
the two decks aft and into the provis-
sion room and the administration of
Admiral Sturdee.
The commander of the Invincible
and several sailors were wounded by
other German shells.
But this availed the Germans little.
At the end of an hours fighting and
heavy firing it could be seen that the
Scharnhorst was settling forward,
while her fire slackened.
Surrender" Sturdee signalled.
"Never!" was the reply.
Not sixty seconds later the Irwin
chile sent a shell into the Scharnhorst
which caused her to disappear beneath
the waves, firing to the last moment.
As she went down the crew formed in
perfect order above the deck rail.
There was no time to rescue the sur
vivors who dotted the water with the
Genisenau still refusing to strike he1
colors. 1t was an hour before the
hardy German, pitted with holes, went
down as the Scharnhorst had done
full of fight as a wildcat.
Then the British sailors set to with
will to save all the Germans posi-
BILE. Only hundred, few of whom
were officers were picked up.
Meanwhile the fight continued be
tween the cruisers Glasgow and Leip
zig. The later defended herself val
iantly. She gave her pursuer severa
slight injuries and caused a number o
casualties In the crew.
In fifty minutes the Glasgow ha,
sunk her adversary amid wild cheer
: from the crew of the British cruiser
At the same time the cruiser Kent
o after six hours of pursuit, came u
with the Nurnberg and sank her. TIL