Indian Ocean
Tuesday November 10 1914 - A22
There was a great cheering today when
the news that the Emden was sunk by the Australian Cruiser Sydney, was read out
on parade and we were given a holiday. It
appears that the Emden put into Cocus Islands and signalled to a collier that
was waiting nearby for her. She had a
false funnel riged up and as she was coming in this fell overboard then a party
went ashore from the Emden and took the wireless station there, but one of the
operators had a plant in the sand somewhere and by this he was able to send out
signals to us. It is not known yet how
many were killed on the Emden but there were three killed and 13 wounded on the
Sydney.
The S.M.S. Emden ashore on North Keeling, after
her run in with the H.M.A.S. Sydney.
[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - P11611.047.002]
10th Indian Ocean 1-30pm
The following message received
from ‘Orvieto’. “Sydney started for COCOS IS.
Nov 10 Indian Ocean
At 7.a.m. 9th
Nov at 9-30 she sighted the EMDEN
travelling at full speed she was able to get within range in 20 minutes at the
same time she signalled that the chase was steering NORTH. At 10-45am Sydney was engaging the enemy briskly, at 11-10am
the latter had to beach herself to avoid sinking her foremast to 3 funnels were
down but the flag was still flying. SYDNEY then went after
EMDENS Collier, took the crew off + sunk her.
Sydney then returned to Emden who surrendered. The extent of GERMAN casualties are not yet
known but they are bound to be severe. Sydneys own casualties
required hospital treatment which was found on DIRECTION IS. The EMDEN
had had time to destroy Wireless Station + to cut 1 of the 3 cables. A second cable was intact + possibly the
third all the instruments were destroyed excepting 1 which had been buried + is
in use again. Wireless Operators deserve
much praise for sticking to their post + sending out distress signals + for
saving instruments………
Sydney
will sail for COLOMBO
as soon as she has got German wounded + prisoners on board which may take 24
hours.
The severed ends of the submarine cable cut by the S.M.S. Emden,
draped over a lifeboat after having been retrieved half a mile from
the shore of Direction Island.
[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - EN0398]
Tuesday 10th November
Another exceedingly hot and trying day. About 1 Am
a mare belonging to the AMC gave birth to a foal. She is very frisky this
morning and is another addition to ships pets.
We expect another foal arrival in about a week.
The second officer and our signallers on watch
report that about 3 AM the "Melbourne" and "Ibuki" rapidly
moved forward and later flashes were seen and sounds were heard resembling
discharge of ordnance.
At 11.40 the "Medic" drew out of line,
and notification came down the Division to hoist Ensign at halfmast. There has
evidently been a burial from the "Medic", and as she carries mainly
artillery the chances are it is one of our men.
Two horses sick today. Heat is
very trying to them. Men are all at work with only a pair of dungaree trousers
as covering – Position at noon 8°05’S, 93°46’ East. Mileage 252.
Splendid news came through today re German ship
"Emden", telling us that H.M.A.S. "Sydney" had captured
her. I read out the news to the men on Parade, and we all gave lusty cheers.
The following is a copy of the wireless message officially sent out by the
"Orvieto".
"Sydney" started off for Cocos at 7 AM.
At 9.30 she had sighted the enemy. Travelling at full speed she was able to get
within range in 20 minutes, at the same time she signalled that the chase was
steering north. At 10.45 "Sydney" was engaging the enemy briskly and
at 11.10 the latter had to beach herself to avoid sinking. Her foremast and
three funnels were down but the flag was still flying. "Sydney" then
went after "Emdens" collier, took the crew off and sank her.
"Sydney" returned again to "Emden" who surrendered. The extent
and nature of the German casualties are not yet known, but they are bound to be
severe. The "Sydneys" own casualties required hospital treatment
which was promptly found on "Direction Island". The "Emden"
had had time to destroy Wireless Telegraph Station and to cut one of the three
cables. A second cable was intact and possibly the third. All the instruments
were destroyed excepting one. This had been buried and is in use again. The
Wireless Telegraph and Cable operators deserve much praise for sticking to
their post, and sending out distress signals, also for saving instruments.
"Sydney" will sail for Colombo as soon as she has succeeded in
getting German wounded and prisoners on board. The operation May take 24 hours
as it presents considerable difficulty."
Naturally such a message (received 1.30 PM) has
given us food for conversation. We are all delighted the "Sydney" has
done such good work and acquitted herself so well.
The following are censorship arrangements for
Colombo. All mails from A.I.F. Transports will be sent to "Orvieto"
for censorship. Open letters, plain post cards and urgent telegrams will be
passed by Censor for immediate despatch provided all references to ships,
places and date are omitted. Closed letters and parcels will be delayed.
This afternoon we noticed one of the New Zealand
ships stop and lower a boat. The "Ibuki" steamed off rapidly in her
direction, but presently we saw the boat again hauled up into the Davits.
Presumably a man fell overboard but was promptly rescued.
No comments:
Post a Comment