TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE Italic text is denoted by _underscores_. A superscript is denoted by ^{x}; for example, 8^{th}. The format of time in the original text has been retained. For example, 10.30 A.M. or 7.3 P.M. Gun caliber in the original text is of the form 9.1" or sometimes 9·1". For consistency all calibers have been changed to the 9.1" (or 9.1-inch) form. Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within the text and consultation of external sources. More detail can be found at the end of the book. THE BATTLE OF THE FALKLAND ISLANDS [Illustration: _Glasgow_ _Cornwall_ _Leipzig_ THE BATTLE OF THE FALKLAND ISLANDS, 8th DECEMBER, 1914 The "Cornwall" engaging the "Leipzig" _From a Colour Drawing by Lieut.-Comm. H. T. Bennett, R.N._ ] The Battle of the Falkland Islands Before and After By Commander H. Spencer-Cooper _With Coloured Frontispiece and Ten Maps and Charts_ CASSELL AND COMPANY, LTD London, New York, Toronto and Melbourne 1919 To the Memory of the Officers and Men of the Royal Navy and the Royal Naval Reserve who so gallantly gave their lives in the actions described in this book CONTENTS Part I.--Exploits off South America CHAPTER PAGE 1. GERMAN MEN-OF-WAR IN FOREIGN SEAS 3 2. THE POLICY OF ADMIRAL COUNT VON SPEE 13 3. BRITISH MEN-OF-WAR OFF SOUTH AMERICA 19 4. LIFE AT SEA IN 1914 28 5. THE SINKING OF THE "CAP TRAFALGAR" 35 6. THE ACTION OFF CORONEL 45 7. CONCENTRATION 60 8. POSSIBILITIES AND PROBABILITIES 67 Part II.--The Battle of the Falklands 9. AWAY SOUTH 79 10. ENEMY IN SIGHT 87 11. THE BATTLE-CRUISER ACTION 96 12. THE END OF THE "LEIPZIG" 110 13. THE SINKING OF THE "NÜRNBERG" 124 14. AFTERMATH 134 15. THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE SAILOR IN ACTION 141 16. VON SPEE'S AIMS AND HOPES 151 17. THE PARTING OF THE WAYS 158 18. THE LAST OF THE "DRESDEN" 163 Part III.--Official Dispatches 1. THE ACTION OF H.M.S. "CARMANIA" 169 2. THE ACTION OFF CORONEL BY H.M.S. "GLASGOW" 172 3. REPORT BY VICE-ADMIRAL COUNT VON SPEE 174 4. THE BATTLE OF THE FALKLAND ISLANDS 178 5. THE SURRENDER OF THE "DRESDEN" 194 Appendix A LIST OF THE OFFICERS SERVING IN THE ACTIONS RECORDED 197 INDEX 221