"He arrived at Valparaiso on November 3rd. Supposing he coals there and leaves at earliest on November 4th, the distance from Valparaiso to the Plate is roughly 2,600 miles, or nine days at 12 knots; therefore, allowing one day for coaling _en route_, the earliest that he could be off the Plate would be the 13th, more likely not before November 15th." The strategical aspect in this sphere of operations was completely changed by the success of the German squadron off Cape Coronel, and necessitated not only a complete change of plans, but also an entire redistribution of our ships. These consisted of the _Carnarvon_, _Cornwall_, _Bristol_, _Macedonia_, and _Edinburgh Castle_, also the _Defence_ and _Orama_, who were near Montevideo, and the _Canopus_, _Glasgow_, and _Otranto_. Admiral Stoddart, therefore, decided to go south to Montevideo at once in order to meet the remainder of our scattered ships. The _Bristol_, _Macedonia_, and _Edinburgh Castle_ were left to continue the search for the _Karlsruhe_, although as a matter of fact she had blown up on November 4th. Colliers were sent down south to Montevideo to be in readiness for our ships, and were ordered to sail at twelve-hour intervals to diminish the chance of capture. The _Carnarvon_ and _Cornwall_ left the base on November 6th, the former calling at Rio de Janeiro on the way for telegrams. Arriving at the Plate on the 10th, where we found the _Defence_ and _Orama_, the Admiral immediately transferred his flag to the former ship, which was the newest and most powerful of our cruisers. All ships filled up with coal and awaited the arrival of the _Glasgow_ and _Otranto_; meanwhile, patrols were constantly maintained at the mouth of the river. The following evening the _Glasgow_ arrived amidst congratulations from us all; she had put in to the Falkland Islands to coal, in which assistance was provided by volunteers from amongst the inhabitants. After coaling, she was detached to Rio de Janeiro to go into dry dock, so that the damage to her side might be properly repaired. The same day the _Orama_, whilst patrolling, met and sank the German storeship _Navarra_ which was set on fire by the Germans when escape was seen to be impossible. We also got the cheering news that the _Emden_ had been sunk and that the _Königsberg_ had been bottled up, tidings which augured well for the future. The Admiralty seem to have had a premonition that the Germans intended to attack the Falklands for the _Canopus_, although on her way north to Montevideo, was ordered back to the Falkland Islands in order to fortify and arm the harbour of Port Stanley in co-operation with the local volunteers, converting herself into a floating fort.