5.47 P.M., squadron formed in line-ahead in following order: _Good Hope_, _Monmouth_, _Glasgow_, _Otranto_. Enemy, who had turned south, were now in single line-ahead 12 miles off, _Scharnhorst_ and _Gneisenau_ leading. 6.18 P.M., speed ordered to 17 knots, and flagship signalled _Canopus_, 'I am going to attack enemy now.' Enemy were now 15,000 yards away and maintained this range, at the same time jambing wireless signals. By this time sun was setting immediately behind us from enemy position, and while it remained above horizon we had advantage in light, but range too great. 6.55 P.M., sun set, and visibility conditions altered, our ships being silhouetted against afterglow, and failing light made enemy difficult to see. 7.3 P.M., enemy opened fire 12,000 yards, followed in quick succession by _Good Hope_, _Monmouth_, _Glasgow_. Two squadrons were now converging, and each ship engaged opposite number in the line. Growing darkness and heavy spray of head sea made firing difficult, particularly for main deck guns of _Good Hope_ and _Monmouth_. Enemy firing salvo got range quickly, and their third salvo caused fire to break out on fore part of both ships, which were constantly on fire till 7.45 P.M. 7.50 P.M., immense explosion occurred on _Good Hope_ amidships, flames reaching 200 feet high. Total destruction must have followed. It was now quite dark. Both sides continued firing at flashes of opposing guns. _Monmouth_ was badly down by the bow and turned away to get stern to sea, signalling to _Glasgow_ to that effect. 8.30 P.M., _Glasgow_ signalled to _Monmouth_, 'Enemy following us,' but received no reply. Under rising moon enemy's ships were now seen approaching, and as _Glasgow_ could render _Monmouth_ no assistance, she proceeded at full speed to avoid destruction. 8.50 P.M., lost sight of enemy. 9.20 P.M., observed 75 flashes of fire, which was no doubt final attack on _Monmouth_. Nothing could have been more admirable than conduct of officers and men throughout. Though it was most trying to receive great volume of fire without chance of returning it adequately, all kept perfectly cool, there was no wild firing, and discipline was the same as at battle practice. When target ceased to be visible, gunlayers spontaneously ceased fire. The serious reverse sustained has entirely failed to impair the spirit of officers and ship's company, and it is our unanimous wish to meet the enemy again as soon as possible. III OFFICIAL DISPATCH OF VICE-ADMIRAL COUNT VON SPEE The following official report of the action fought off Coronel on November 1st appeared in the German Press, and is interesting in the light of being an accurate account as viewed by our enemies. On comparing it with Captain Luce's account, it will be seen that the German clocks were about thirty minutes slow on our time. Other evidence also points to this conclusion:--