The _Leipzig_ and the _Dresden_ believe that they hit her several times. The small cruisers sustained neither loss of life nor damage. The _Gneisenau_ had two slightly wounded. The crews went into the fight with enthusiasm. Every man did his duty, and contributed to the victory. IV DISPATCH OF THE BATTLE OF THE FALKLAND ISLANDS December 8th, 1914 ADMIRAL STURDEE'S DISPATCH _Admiralty, 3rd March, 1915._ The following dispatch has been received from Vice-Admiral Sir F. C. Doveton Sturdee, K.C.B., C.V.O., C.M.G., reporting the action off the Falkland Islands on Tuesday, the 8th of December, 1914:-- _Invincible at Sea, December 19th, 1914._ SIR, I have the honour to forward a report on the action which took place on 8th December, 1914, against a German Squadron off the Falkland Islands. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient Servant, F. C. D. STURDEE, _Vice-Admiral, Commander-in-Chief_. _The Secretary, Admiralty._ (A)--PRELIMINARY MOVEMENTS The squadron, consisting of H.M. ships _Invincible_, flying my flag, Flag Captain Percy T. H. Beamish; _Inflexible_, Captain Richard F. Phillimore; _Carnarvon_, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Archibald P. Stoddart, Flag Captain Harry L. d'E. Skipwith; _Cornwall_, Captain Walter M. Ellerton; Kent, Captain John D. Allen; _Glasgow_, Captain John Luce; _Bristol_, Captain Basil H. Fanshawe; and _Macedonia_, Captain Bertram S. Evans; arrived at Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, at 10.30 A.M. on Monday, the 7th December, 1914. Coaling was commenced at once, in order that the ships should be ready to resume the search for the enemy's squadron the next evening, the 8th December. At 8 A.M. on Tuesday, the 8th December, a signal was received from the signal station on shore: "A four-funnel and two-funnel man-of-war in sight from Sapper Hill, steering northwards." At this time, the positions of the various ships of the squadron were as follows: _Macedonia_--At anchor as look-out ship. _Kent_ (guard ship)--At anchor in Port William. _Invincible_ and _Inflexible_--In Port William. _Carnarvon_--In Port William. _Cornwall_--In Port William. _Glasgow_--In Port Stanley. _Bristol_--In Port Stanley. The _Kent_ was at once ordered to weigh, and a general signal was made to raise steam for full speed. At 8.20 A.M. the signal station reported another column of smoke in sight to the southward, and at 8.45 A.M. the _Kent_ passed down the harbour and took up a station at the entrance. The _Canopus_, Captain Heathcoat S. Grant, reported at 8.47 A.M. that the first two ships were 8 miles off, and that the smoke reported at 8.20 A.M. appeared to be the smoke of two ships about 20 miles off. At 8.50 A.M. the signal station reported a further column of smoke in sight to the southward. The _Macedonia_ was ordered to weigh anchor on the inner side of the other ships, and await orders.