After the departure of the boats I requested the staff to have breakfast and then help in clearing up and finding out exactly how we stood. The time was about 9.30 a.m. We had scarcely reached our hous: s when a report w: ing from the eastward, same time it was noticed that the Emden had raised her anchor and was standing out to sea. Getting on to the barrier, a cruiser was seen coming up at a great rat" stoking heavily and enveloped in a cloud of black smoke. It was only an occasional glimpse now and then which showed her to b> a four-
The landing party had meanwhile returned, and the German flag was hoisted. I was asked to get the men together and it was explained to them that they were under German martial law and that any attempt to communicate with the enemy would bring about drastic punishment.
All fire-arms had to be given up and the staff were put under an armed guard. When Lizut. von Muecke came up he explained that if the Emden did not return before evening he would take th: schooner Ayesha and leave the island, He required provisions which he said would be returned or paid for later, and asked for any old clothes for his men. He allow-funnel light cruiser, which we incorrectly assumed to be the Newcasti>, Coming out of the entrance the Emden fired immediately and we were afterwards informed that sh*lls landed in both of the Sydney's controls, breaking one of their range finders, The reply was instantaneous and a very picturesqu> battle started at a range of about 3,700 yards and within a mile or so of the barrier.
The Emden worked her guns splendidly and seemed to be firing continuously. Her shells were plainly visible cutting through the black smoke of the Sydney and she appeared to be making very good shooting. The Sydney, on th other hand, having to pick up her range by gun fire was at first somewhat handicapped, her shells landing over or short of the other cruiser and apparently somewhat astern. They had no doubt underestimated her speed as she was travelling at a big rate. This, however, was speedily rectified and getting out of range of the Emden's guns, she hit her frequently. The latter soon lost funnel and almost immediately a mast, followed by another funnel and she was seen to be burning astern, with an of white steam from her side. The two ships then passed the horizon and were lost to sight. We afterwards }earnt that to avoid sinking she ran for the reef at North Keeling burning furiously.
Emden Makes a Good Fight, Captain Glossop told me that at first the Emden's shooting and the quality of her shells were both excellent but rapidly deteriorated. The Sydney was steaming at 96 knots and the Emden 2%. There is no question but that the Emden made avery good fight. I was informed that one of the Sydney's six inch shells struck a gun and carried it overboard with its whole crew. Captain Glossop informed me that although on the reef and with only one gun left she refused to haul down her colours and he was regretfully compelled to continue firing. After the third shot or salvo, as the case might be, a man went aloft and struck her colours. ed us full liberty and allowed me to lock up my office, the station2ry, ete. It was only now, when the officers were too busily engaged in provisioning the schooner to pro: perly look after their men, that a good deal of petty pilfering went on and more damage was don: to the already destroyed office.
At 6 p.m. they joined the Ay2sha, towing their two boats and being towed by the launch. The German flag was broken at th: peak and after giving three cheers for the staff and the compliment returned they stood out to sea in the dark. That same evening we got into communication with Batavia who answered our second or third short call. After reporting as much as was necessary, as we were tired out and working with candles in the midst of " chaos of broken glass, I closed for the night, telling Batavia to watch for us at daylight.
Germans were, by request, good enough not to interfere with our refrigerating plant and the condenser. Our large Inthe, unfortunately, was wantonly turned over and the gears broken, but I will report more fully on this tool when we have had time to look round.
The enemy took away mattresses, pillows, cutlery, plate, and the greater part of our distilled water, and also one of the staff's dinghys. T hope to get a full list made out of everything commandeered at the earliest possible moment. Our stationery and slip cases were not touched and all ofers and letter books are intact.
Sydney Returns And Reports, On the 10th at daylight, H.M.A.8. Sydney anchored off the island and sent two boats towards the shore.
The first had a white flag in the bows and was followed by an armed cutter. They were under ths impression that the landing party was still here. At the request of the officer, Lieut. Finlayson, I went off and reported fully to Capt. Glossop. He explained to me that the Emden was a perfect shamble and asked for the loan of our doctor with any assistants, and any medical stores we could spare. Dr. Ollerhead being willing to go, and Mr. Card-"wellyaaxiusytoyassist, they joined
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.