South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-15
CRADOCKs FORLORN HOPE


An angry sun is settling down in
the west. The coast of Chile is
pounded by a heavy sea and a
mighty gale is blowing down from
the north.
off the island Of Santa Maria on
this Sunday afternoon in November,
1914. a grim. gray fleet is speeding
in line abreast down the Chilean
coast. This feet by a strategical
stroke. has concentrated from all
points of the compass; II flew the
German naval ensign and represent
ed the only German high seas fleet
in being outside Of Kiel
The armored cruisers Scharnhorst
and Gneisenau and the small cruis-
are laying long streams of wind
worried smoke as they buffet their
way southwark.
The lookouts suddenly ring furi-
ously 10 the decks and report an
enemy fleet making south to north
and rapidly bearing down. This was
at a little past six in the evening.
/ The fleet is made out to be British.
/ Composing the group are the cruiser
Monmouth. the light cruiser Glas-
gov and the armed steamship
| Otranto.
The small British fleet is navigat-
ing its course with a view 70 meet
ing the Good Hope, a battle cruiser
/ of the line. with Rear Admiral Sir
Christopher Cradock on board. II
was this officer who represented
I Great Britain al the American Oc-
cupation OF Vera Cruz.
As the fleets sight each other the
/ English squadron changes its course
from south TO north TO south to the
coast, probably to gain territorial
waters and avoid disadvantageoue
| engagement. The German ships
commanded by Admiral COuth vor
Spec, seeing the Vancouver, if gain
ed, would benefit the English. pass
ed between them and the coast To
force the fight. At the same time
the Germans altered their formation
from line abreast 20 line in file, the
Scharnhorst leading. followed by the
Gnoisenau and the smaller units
At this moment the Good Hope i.
sighted approaching from the ives
at full speed. She is able 10 place
herself i'm line with her companion
and straightaway breaks toe famous
signal OF Admiral Cradock, Il an
I going 10 attack the enemy.
Sir Christopher Cradock. STEPPED
in the traditions Of Nelson, Coling
wood and Rodney. deemed 1t thu
duty of a British admiral 70 clos
with the enemy when found anC
rely upon the skill. seamanship anC
/ bravery of British seamen for tn
issue.
The two roullas. following al
most parallel lines. steamed toward
the south. the Germans between
the English and the coast and nos
ing closer every moment
At $50 the officer at the Scharn
horst's telexmetre reported the dis
I lance from the Good Hope at 10,
/ 500 metres.
At 6:32 the scharnhorst ano
! Gneisenau fred the first salvo, i've
forward guns. two starboard and TIVE
stern guns The fire was concen
trated on the Good Hope The Ger
mans coutinuea firing I simultane
Gus volleys in the same manner a
10. 600 metres.
The Good Hope could not at frs
reply on account Of the heavy seas
For a time the German shots fel
wide for the same reason As tn
r Germans edged nearer and neare
! and the distance was reduced 70 8,
600 metres. the Good Hope began
70 reply. but could only utilize I've
. nine-inch guns Her six-inch gun
. were on such a low line that the,
! were rendered useless by the gale
The storm. too. was rushing IN
smoke from the German funnel
! directly against the British, and IN
German manOeuvers had placed III
. English against the crimson SUI
sinking through from the Awerini