Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 75]
1914
that we might stay & suit our convenience as regards leaving the port, & that Chili would not insist on us leaving on the expiration of 24 hours, if it was inconvenient for us to do so.
Dec. 28.
When we were off Coronel the following day the ship was stopped approximately near the spot where the British cruisers "Good Hope" & "Monmouth" were sunk by a German Squadron on Nov. 4th., and a solemn memorial service was held during which the Dead March was played by the band.
Dec. 29.
The following day we ran into the Roaring Forties, & the high sea running caused the ship to roll considerably. During the forenoon watch we passed the British cruiser "Kent", & the armed merchantman "Orama", with 2 colliers. The "Kent" showed very little sign of her recent action off the Falklands, with the exception of 2 holes in her forward funnel, which were caused by shots from the German cruiser "Nurnberg" whom she sank. This small squadron was searching for the enemy cruiser "Dresden" which had escaped during the action, & also for the Prinz Eitel Frederick" a German armed merchantman which was still at large. The temperature fell rapidly as we got South. Two days out from Valparaiso there was a drop of 50o F., which compelled us to change our white duck clothing for winter uniform. The sea, too, was exceedingly rough, causing