The _Invincible_, _Inflexible_, and _Glasgow_ at about 12.30 increased their speed to between twenty-five and twenty-eight knots, and went on ahead. Just after a quarter to one there was a signal from the Admiral: 'Open fire and engage the enemy.' A few minutes later there were sharp commands. The ranges were signalled, and the bigger guns were laid. Fiery glares and dense clouds of smoke burst suddenly from their muzzles. The air quivered with their thunder. Shells went screaming in the direction of the nearest light cruiser, the _Leipzig_, which was dropping rapidly astern. The firing was uncomfortably accurate. The three smaller German cruisers very soon left the line, and made an attempt, veering off to the south, to scatter and escape. Flame and smoke issued from the _Leipzig_, before she drew clear, where a shell had struck. Sir Doveton Sturdee directed the _Glasgow_, _Kent_, and _Cornwall_ to pursue the German light cruisers. With his remaining vessels, the _Invincible_, the _Inflexible_, and the slower _Carnarvon_, he turned upon the _Scharnhorst_ and the _Gneisenau_, and began operations in earnest. [Sidenote: The _Scharnhorst_ on fire.] [Sidenote: The _Scharnhorst_ sinks.] [Sidenote: The _Gneisenau_ goes down.] The interval of sunlight which had opened the day with such promise was of short duration. The sky became overcast. Soon after four o'clock the air was thick with rain-mist. From 1.15 onwards for three hours a fierce duel was maintained between the two British battle-cruisers and the two German armoured cruisers. The enemy made every effort to get away. They replied to the British fire for some time, having dropped back to within 13,500 yards. But shortly after two o'clock they changed their course, and began to haul out to south-east. The _Invincible_ and the _Inflexible_ had eased their speed, and the range now widened by about 3,000 yards. A second chase ensued. A full-rigged sailing-ship appeared in the distance at about a quarter to three. Her crew must have beheld an awe-inspiring scene. Shortly before the hour firing recommenced. The action began to develop. Great coolness and efficiency were shown on board the British vessels. Every man was at his battle-station, behind armour. Fire-control parties were at their instruments. Water from numerous hoses was flooding the decks as a precaution against fire. The roaring of the discharges, the screaming of the shells, the clangour of metal upon metal, the crashes of the explosions, made up a tumult that was painful in its intensity. During intervals in the firing came the rushing of the waves and of the breeze, and the grinding and grunting of the hydraulic engines in the turrets, where swung, training constantly upon the enemy, the greater guns. The Germans soon began to show signs of distress. The _Scharnhorst_ particularly suffered. Dense clouds of smoke, making it difficult for the British accurately to gauge the damage, rose from her decks.