The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-09

lime in file. the Scharnhorst leading,
| followed by the Gneiseneu ana the
| smaller units. At this moment the
/ Good Hope is sighted approaching
| from the west at full speed. She is
able to place herself In line with her
companions and straightaway breaks
the famous signal of Admiral Grad
dock. II am going TO attack the en-
envy"
Sir Christopher Cradock. stepped in
the traditions OF Nelson, Colltngwood
and Rodney. deemed It the duty of a
British admiral TO close with the en-
envy when fonnd and rely upon the
skill. seamanship and bravery of Brit
ish seamen for the issue.
The two fIotillas, following almost
parallel lines, steamed toward the
south, the Germans between the Eng
lish and the coast and nosing closer
every moment.
At $40 the officer at the Scharn-
n,orst's telexmetre reported the dis
lance from the Good Hope at 10000
metres.
At 6;82 the scharnhorst and Gnei-
snnau fred the first salvo. two for
ward guns, two starboard and two
stern guns. The fire was concentrated
on the Good Hope. The Germans con-
tiuued firing twelve simultaneous vol
levs in the same manner at 10000
metres.
The Good Hope could not ri first
reply on account OF the heavy seas
For a tirbe the German shots fell wide
for the same reason. As the Germans
edged nearer and nearer and the dis
lance was reduced 20 5000 metres, the
Good Hope began TO Tepiy, but could
onlv utilize two nine-inch guns. Her
sfx-tnch guns were on such low line
/ that they were rendered useless by the
gale The storm, too, was rushing
! the smoke from the German tunnels
directly against the British, and the
i German maneuvers had placed the
English against the crimson sun shin
ing through from the lowering CLOUDS,
thus making them an ideal target
After the Good Hope had fired three
voIleys a German protectile struck her
tower Fire followed and obliged her
/ 70 cease firing The Good Hope turned
! To he starhoard and the Monmouth
came forward to cover her and take
mr.. the fight The distance was re-
lduced 10 5000 metres The German
shtpf were able to use all guns, ia
lcltainF their six-incfr type.
| Now the contest was between the
/ Monmouth and the Glasgow and their
! four adveysaries. The Otranto lay far
| out at sea badly damaged. Two Of
1.-THE German cruisers concentrated their
FIRE of twelve S2-inch guns on the
| Monmouth At the first broadside
flour shots went home. The German
tgunnery were exceptionally accurate
: The second broadside holed the Mon
mouth and set her on fire. She then
foundered after the Scharnhorst with
two more shots, administered tho coup
de grace.
The English gunnery, according TO
survivors, was poor. The Monmouth
only was able to get a shot between
the two forward guns Of the Gneisen-
rau Some damage was done pv an
other shell from the Monmouth which
penetrated the interior cabin. but did
mot explode. When the Monmouth
went down the opposing forces were
at distance Of $500 metres.
Up TO this time the German adj
mirai was engaged in getting nearer
the enemy, Dominating by gum
| he gave up the idea of using torpe-
does. but having sunk the Monmouth,
he feared the Good Hope or the Glas-
gov might endeavor 10 torpedo him.
He therefore changed his course
slightly, to nearer the coast, at the
same time keeping up hot fire on
the remaining British vessels. Tho
Glasgow, seriously damag ed, now
lsheered off and made for the open
sea.
The Good Hope. hit by more shells,
began TO burn fiercely. A big eXplo-
sion was heard and the vessel turned
toward tho west.
Night had completely fallen and
the Good Hope. hor sides red hot,
was watched by the little Otranto,
gradually disappearing into ohscurity
"A red spot of fire pLunging and
fatr0gRl.ag CIT to SEA.
That was the last of the Good Hope.
The admiral and all on board persisted
out in the storm on the Pacific in
their flagship--converted into q glow
ing furnace.
Admiral Spec detached the Nurn-
berg to search for tha Good Hope, hut
could find neither the vessel nor IndI-
cations of her having foundered.
During the night the Germans in
tercepted wireless messages from the
Glasgow, which had managed TO es-
cape calling to her flagship, but there
forever by the angry Pacific.
The Germans made no attempt to
save the survivors of the Monmouth
), al it was impossible to launch boats
And her plucky sailors died "out
there" IN the night
The conditions were all against tbs
British---the storm, unfaVorable navI-
eating conditions and a practical IN
feriority Of their guns.
There can be no doubt that this
feet, though annihiliated. upheld tbs
q traditions of the royal navy Wher
the Germans themselves admit tha
1.-The British fought heroicaly'' We
know that the Good Hope carried
stainless ensign out to sea.