El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-10-08

n angry sun is settling down in
a the west. The coast Of Chile is
1 A pounded BY a heavy sea and
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 fleet. by a strategieal
stroke, has concentrated from all
points Of the compass; it flew the
German naval ensign and represented
the only German high seas fleet in
being outside Of Eiel-
The armored cruisers ScLarnhorst
and Gneisenau and the small cruisers
Nurnberg. Dresden and Leipsic are
laying long streams OF wind-worrled
smoke as they buffet their way
southwark.
ously TO the decks and report an en-
envy fleet making south 10 north ana
bearing rapidly down This was az 4
little past 8 in the evening. The 1leet
is made out TO be British Compos-
ing the group are the cruiser Mon
mouth the light cruiser Glasgow and
the armed steamship OtrantO-
The Enemy Sighted.
The small British fleet is navigat-
ing its course with view 10 meeting
the Good Hope. a battle cruiser OF
the line. with rear admiral Sir Chris
TOPPER Cradock on board. It was
this officer who represented Great
Britain az the American occupation
As the fleets sight each other the
English squadron changes its course
from south to north TO south 20 the
coast. probably 10 gain territorial
waters and avoid a dIsadvantageous
engagement The German ships,
commanded by Admiral Count Won
Spec. seeing the maneuver II
gained. would benefit the English
passed between them and the coast
TO force the fight At the sans time
from line abreast to line in file the
ScharnhOrst leading. followed by the
Cneisenau and the smaller units At
this moment the Good Hope is sighted
approaching from the west a Iull
speed. She IS able 70 place herself
in line with her companions and
straightaway breaks the famous sig
nal or Admiral Cradock. 7 an going
to attack the enemy"
Sir Christopher Cradock. stepped IN
the traditions Of Nelson. COllingWocd
and Rodney. deemed Il the duty OF a
British admiral TO close with the en-
envy when found and rely upon the
skill. seamanship and bravery OF
British seamen for the issue
The Battle Opens
The two flotillas. following almost
parallel lines steamed toward the
south. the Germans between the Eng
lish and the coast and nosing closer
every moment.
At $50 the officer at the ScAarn-
horst's teleLmetre reported the dis
lance from the Good Hope as 10000
metres.
At $40 the Scharnhorst and Gnei-
senau fired the first salvo, two for
ward guns, two starboard and two
trated on the Good Hope The Ger
mans continued firing twelve stimuli
taneous volleys in the same manner
at 10000 metres.
The Good Hope could not at first
reply on account Of the heavy seas
For a time the German shots fell
wide for the same reason. As the
Germans edged nearer and nearer the
distance was reduced to 5000 metres.
the Good Hone BEGAN 20 reply. but
could only utilize two nine-inch guns
Her siX-iEch guns were on such
low line that they were rendered use
less BY the gale. The storm. too
was rushing the smoke from the
German tunnels directly against the
British. and the German mauOeuTres
had placed the English against the
crimson sun shining through from
the lowering clouds. thus making
them an ideal target
One ship Disabled.
After the Good Hope lad fired
three volleys a German 7roieCtile
struck her tower. Fire followed and
obliged her TO cease firing The Coed
Hope turned 70 the starboard and the
Monmouth came forward 70 cover her
and take Up the fight. The distance
was reduced TO 5000 metres The
Ger man ships were able 70 use ali
guns. including their six-inch type
Now the contest was between the
Monmouth and the Glasgow and their
four adversaries- The Otranto law
far out at sea badly damaged Two
OF the German cruisers concentrated
their fire OF twelve e.2-inch guns on
the Monmouth At the first broad
side four shots went home. The Ger
man gunnery was exceptionally ac-
curate- The second hroadside holed
the Monmouth and set her on fire
She then foundered. after the Scharn-