Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 487
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[Page 487]
reaching Inch Reith. During a recent storm she had dragged her anchor and been in collision with a Man O'War being sunk as a result luckily without loss of life. She will be remembered as an old liner turned into an armed merchantman.
When open sea was reached direction was changed to the South and line formed as in second sketch on last page.
It had been arranged that Admiral Meurer in the "Konisberg" should be at a certain definite Rendezvous at 2 PMAt 1.40 PM our Squadron passed the appointed Rendezvous and At 1.40 PM received a wireless from "Konisberg" intimating that she was altering course in order to avoid a German Mine Field and that accordingly she would be late at her Rendezvous.
Captain Thorigen informed me the German mine field had been removed by our mine sweepers some 2 weeks earlier.
At 2 PM "Konisberg" was distant 20 miles.
Our ship passed Rendezvous line, then turned northward for about 30 minutes, again turned southward, and "Cardiff" picked up "Konisberg" at 3.23 PM. Up to the moment speculation had been rife as to whether "Konisberg" would really turn up, and now here she was. On "Calypso" there was a rush to the range finders to get the best possible view of the ship. All this time I had been with the Captain on his bridge.
"Cardiff" signalled to "Konisberg" "Follow me 21 Knots". All other ships of squadron and Destroyers then took Stations as on previous page and made for the Forth.
The "Konisberg" flew the Admiral's flag at the foremast, a large white flag at the main mast, and the German ensign at the gaff.
She is a small looking craft, armed with 5.9.
Our guns were manned on sighting "Konisberg".
On arriving at the anchorage off Inch Reith "Cardiff" signalled "10 Knots", "stop", "Anchor".
A number of civilians were to be seen on board.
C in C wirelessed "You are requested to refrain from using Radio", and he also informed Admiral Meurer he did not wish to see Socialist delegates. German Admiral taken off in destroyer "Oak" at 6.34 PM and proceeded to Flagship of C in C Both "Konisberg" and our own ships brilliantly illuminated, now no need to "darken ship".
Admiral Meurer received on Flagship "Q.E." by Commodore of the Fleet the Hon. Brand (son of Viscount Hampden at one time Governor of N.S.W.)