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THE DISPATCH FROM THE GLASGOW
TRIBUTE TO BRITISH DISIPLINE
The following has been issued from HMS Glasgow (Captain John Luce
RN), concerning the recent action off the Chilian Coast:
Glasgow left Coronel 9am on November 1st to rejoin Good Hope (flagship),
Monmouth and Otranto at rendezvous. At 2pm flagship signalled the
apparently from wireless calls there was an enemy ship to northwards.
Orders were given for squadron to spread N.E. by E. in the following
order: Good Hope, Monmouth, Otranto and Glasgow, speed to be worked
up to 15 knots. 4-20pm, saw smoke: proved to be enemy ships, one small
cruiser and two armoured cruisers. Glasgow reported to Admiral, ships
in sight were warned, and all concentrated on Good Hope. At 5-0pm
Good Hope was sighted.
5-47pm, squadron formed in line-ahead in following order: Good Hope,
Monmouth, Glasgow, Otranto. Enemy, who had turned south , were now
in single line-ahead 12 miles off, Scharnhorst and Gneisenau leading.
6-18pm, speed ordered to 17 knots, and flagship signalled Canopus:
“I am going to attack enemy now.” Enemy were now 15,000
yards away and maintained this range, at the same time jambing wireless
signals. |
By this time sun was setting immediately behind us from enemy position,
and while it remained above horizon we had advantage in light, but
range too great. 6-55pm, sun set, and visibility conditions altered,
our warships being silhouetted against afterglow, and failing light
made enemy difficult to see.
7-3pm, enemy opened fire 12,000 yards, followed in quick succession
by Good Hope, Monmouth, Glasgow. Two squadrons were now converging,
and each ship engaged opposite number in the line. Growing darkness
and heavy spray of head sea made firing difficult, particularly for
main deck guns of Good Hope and Monmouth. Enemy firing salvos got
range quickly, and their third salvo caused fire to break out on fore
part of both ships, which were constantly on fire till 7-45pm. 7-50pm,
immense explosion occurred on Good Hope amidships, flames reaching
200ft high. Total destruction must have followed. It was now quite
dark.
Both sides continued firing at flashes of opposing guns. Monmouth
was badly down by the bow and turned away to get stern to sea, signalling
to Glasgow to that effect. 8-30pm, Glasgow signalled to Monmouth “Enemy
following us,” but received no reply. Under rising moon enemy’s
ships were now seen approaching, and as Glasgow could render Monmouth
no assistance, she proceeded at full speed to avoid destruction. 8-50pm,
lost sight of enemy. 9-20pm, observed 75 flashes of fire, which was
no doubt final attack on Monmouth.
Nothing could have been more admirable than conduct of officers and
men throughout. Though it was to receive great volume of fire without
chance of returning it adequately, all kept perfectly cool, there
was no wild firing, and discipline was the same as at battle practice.
When target ceased to be visible, gunlayers spontaneously ceased fire.
The serious reverse sustained has entirely failed to impair the spirit
of officers and ship’s company, and it is our unanimous wish
to meet the enemy again as soon as possible. |
Reproduced from a newspaper article dated 1914/15; the newspaper is
unknown at present.
Supplied by J.D.Atkinson. |
