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Updated: June 25, 2025
He steamed to the Falklands with a view to finishing off the old Canopus on the way across to Africa. There he fell foul of Bluff Number Two. Sturdee did not have to seek him; he came to Sturdee. There was no convenient Dogger Bank fog in that latitude to cover his flight. Sturdee had the speed of von Spee and he had to fight.
Still the gunners continued to hurl shells at the British whenever the guns could be brought to bear. But this was not often, for the fact that she could not be steered properly rendered the work of the British much easier. Admiral Sturdee, greatly impressed with the bravery of the Germans, decided to give them one more chance for life.
"An excellent plan!" cried the admiral, springing to his feet. "It shall be put into execution." With a wave of his hand he signified that the interview was over, and Frank, Jack and Lord Hastings made their way back to the Sylph. That Admiral Sturdee was a man of action became apparent in a few moments.
The advantage in weight of metal and range of guns lay on the side of the British, and the battle was decided at long range. Admiral von Spee, refusing to surrender, in spite of the odds against him, went down with his ship. The flagship of the victorious admiral, Sir Frederick Sturdee, was the modern battle cruiser Invincible.
"However, I shouldn't be surprised if Admiral Sturdee had anticipated such a maneuver by the enemy." "Even if he has," said Lord Hastings, "we probably wouldn't be selected to accomplish the work, and that's what we want to do. Therefore, we will act without being ordered." "Good," said Jack. In the meantime the German fleet had been approaching steadily.
In the chase that followed, Admiral van Spee checked speed somewhat to keep his squadron together. Though Admiral Sturdee for a time did the same, he was able at 12.50 to open on the rear ship Leipzig at 16,000 yards. At 1.20 the German light cruisers scattered to southwestward, followed by the Cornwall, Kent, and Glasgow.
Half an hour later the commander of the Glasgow came aboard the Sylph, and was speedily closeted with Lord Hastings in the latter's cabin. Soon, however, the two emerged on deck, and approached where Frank and Jack were standing. "I understand," said the commander of the Glasgow to the two lads, "that it was your plan Admiral Sturdee acted upon when he lured the German fleet to give battle.
As the Sylph steamed into the little harbor, one of the British war vessels turned slightly, and a shell screamed over the Sylph's bow. "Want to know who we are," explained Lord Hastings. The British ensign was quickly run up, and there followed a loud, cheer from the sailors of the fleet. On the ship closest to shore flew the flag of Vice Admiral Sturdee.
Aboard, they were shown immediately to the admiral's cabin, where the nearness of the German squadron was rapidly related. "Fortunate!" cried Admiral Sturdee. "I feared I would have to chase them all over the sea. I didn't expect them to come to me. Have you a plan to suggest, Lord Hastings?"
The loss of the Bayano was the most serious of the submarine blockade of the British coasts up to that time. For several months British warships in the South Atlantic and South Pacific oceans sought in vain for the German cruiser Dresden, one of the German squadron defeated off the Falkland Islands by Admiral Sturdee in December, when she was the only German vessel to escape.
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