At 9.40 A.M. the _Glasgow_ went out to join the _Kent_ in observing the enemy's movements. Five minutes later the squadron weighed, with the exception of the _Bristol_, who had all her fires out to clean boilers. She was ready three-quarters of an hour later, however, which must have constituted a record for ships of her class. The _Carnarvon_, _Inflexible_, _Invincible_, and _Cornwall_ proceeded out in the order named, the _Inflexible_ ramming a sailing pinnace belonging to the _Cornwall_, half full of stores, on her way through the line of mines; fortunately a barrel of beer belonging to the wardroom officers had previously been rescued! The _Macedonia_ was ordered to remain behind in Port William. It was very clear with a slight north-westerly breeze--ideal conditions for a long-range action. The last of our line cleared the harbour about 10.30 A.M., when the five enemy ships could be seen hull down on the horizon to the S.E., 12 to 13 miles off, steaming off in the hopeless attempt to escape. The signal "General chase" was flying from the _Invincible_, and the magnificent spectacle of our ships, each with four or five white ensigns fluttering in the breeze, all working up to full speed, will always live in the memory of those who witnessed it on that eventful day. The surprise and horror of the Germans at seeing our two battle-cruisers for the first time was testified by the survivors, who said, "They tried not to believe it." It must have been an awful moment finding themselves suddenly face to face with almost certain destruction. First of our ships came the little _Glasgow_, dashing along like an express train, then the two huge battle-cruisers going about 25 knots, belching forth volumes of dense black smoke as they made use of their oil fuel to quicken their fires, followed by the _Kent_, _Carnarvon_, and _Cornwall_ doing about 22 knots. The Admiral reduced speed for an hour to 20 knots at 11.15 A.M., to allow the "County" cruisers to catch up, for it was evident that we were rapidly gaining on the enemy, as we sped along on an easterly course. The _Glasgow_ was ordered to keep three miles ahead of the _Invincible_. There was now an opportunity to get out of coaling kit and have a hasty wash. The ship's companies were consequently sent to dinner early, acting on the good old maxim that a man always fights better on a full stomach; but the excitement was too intense for most men to have more than a bite, and they were mostly to be seen crowding about the ship's decks munching a hastily made sandwich.