Battle of Coronel
The British had scant resources to oppose the German squadron off the coast of South America. Rear Admiral Christopher Cradock commanded the armored cruisers and , "Glasgow", and the converted armed merchant cruiser . The flotilla was reinforced by the elderly pre-dreadnought battleship and the armored cruiser . The latter, however, did not arrive until after the Battle of Coronel. "Canopus" was left behind by Cradock, who probably felt her slow speed would prevent him from bringing the German ships to battle.