Towards the end the _Cap Trafalgar's_ fire had begun to slacken, though one of her guns continued to fire to the last, in spite of the fact that she was out of range. It became patent that she was doomed, and her every movement was eagerly watched through field-glasses for some minutes by those not occupied in quenching the fire. Suddenly the great vessel heeled right over; her funnels being almost parallel to the surface of the sea, looked just like two gigantic cannon as they pointed towards the _Carmania_; an instant later she went down by the bows, the stern remaining poised in mid-air for a few seconds, and then she abruptly disappeared out of sight at 1.50 P.M., the duel having lasted an hour and forty minutes. There were no two opinions about the good fight she had put up, and all were loud in their praise of the gallant conduct of the Germans. One of the enemy's colliers was observed approaching this scene of desolation in order to pick up survivors, some of whom had got away from the sinking ship in her boats. The collier had been flying the United States ensign, evidently as a ruse, in the hope that the _Carmania_ might be induced to let her pass without stopping her for examination. It was, however, impossible to interfere with her owing to the fire that was still raging in the fore part of the ship. This kept our men at work trying to get it under, and necessitated keeping the ship running before the wind, the direction of which did not permit of approaching the spot in order to attempt to pick up survivors. Smoke was now seen away to the northward, and the signalman reported that he thought he could make out the funnels of a cruiser. As the _Cap Trafalgar_, before sinking, had been in wireless communication with some German vessel, it was apprehended that one might be coming to her assistance. As the _Carmania_ was totally unfit for further action, it was deemed advisable to avoid the risk of another engagement, so she steamed off at full speed in a southerly direction. As soon as the collier and all that remained of the wreckage of the _Cap Trafalgar_ was lost to view the gallant Cunarder was turned to the north-westward in the direction of the anchorage. She was unseaworthy, nearly all her navigational instruments and all the communications to the engines were destroyed, making the steering and navigation of the ship difficult and uncertain. When wireless touch was established, the _Cornwall_ was called up and asked to meet and escort her in. But as she had only just started coaling she asked the _Bristol_ to take her place. The next day the _Bristol_, which was in the vicinity, took the _Carmania_ along until relieved the same night by the _Cornwall_, which escorted her on to the base, where temporary repairs were effected.