Instead of acting thus, he signalled to raise steam and steer east with all speed. The battle-cruisers were now out of harbour, and visible to him; the _Glasgow_ and the _Kent_ were ahead, keeping touch, and Admiral Sturdee made the signal for "General Chase." The five German ships were hull down on the horizon, but the sky was clear; there was a light breeze and a calm sea; visibility was at its maximum: a combination fatal for the pursued. More fatal still was the character of the pursuer: a scientific seaman and tactician, a commander spirited and self-confident, cool and decisive. There would be difficulties from wind and smoke, and from the differences in the speed of his ships; but Admiral Sturdee had his chance before him, complete though not perfect, and he would grasp it with no uncertain hand. [Illustration: Battle of the Falkland Islands—December 8. Second Phase—11 a.m.] He began by taking the battle-cruisers ahead at 26-½ knots; then slowed down, cleared for action, and piped the men to dinner at 11.30 as usual; changing course at the same time to converge upon the enemy. At 12.20 he increased to 25 knots, and opened fire on the _Leipzig_, now within 15,000 yards. She was soon on fire, and at 1.20 turned away south-west with the _Nürnberg_ and the _Dresden_. Admiral von Spee was dividing his squadron, in hope of saving some part of it. But Admiral Sturdee had foreseen this move. Without any fresh signal, the _Glasgow_, the _Kent_, and the _Cornwall_ at once followed the light cruisers; Captain Luce was to have the honour of a separate action to himself, while the battle-cruisers and the _Carnarvon_ held on after Spee. The main action began with an experimental stage; the German ships concentrated their fire on the _Invincible_, but could not reach her. On the other hand, her smoke was smothering the _Inflexible_. At 2.5 Sturdee began to close, and Spee, covered by his own smoke, turned to starboard, and went off at full speed after his light cruisers. By 2.45 he was again overtaken. He then turned to port, and reduced the range; he had decided that the time was come to do what damage he could before the inevitable end.