Todd war diary, 3 August 1914-29 February 1916 / Arthur Todd - Page 100
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[Page 100]
telling of the passing of the Dresden.
Out of coal and stores she had run into Juan Fernandez an island in the Pacific ocean off the coast of Chili to await the coming of her storeship. But the Bangor was already safe in the Falklands - a prize of war captured by the Bristol. We had let the Bangor go - a necessity perhaps - but one which might have had unfortunate results. Had not the Bristol seized her the Dresden could have filled up and begun a new cruise of destruction.
So the Dresden the last of her country's ships of war which remained on the high seas lay close in shore at Juan Fernandez and awaited the succour which never came.
One morning the Kent and Glasgow steamed in and found their quarry at their mercy.
The German Captain made a signal "I hope you will respect Chilean neutrality. I am in territorial waters".
Captain Luce of the Glasgow replied "We will leave that to the diplomats and in the meantime proceed with the good work".
The Dresden opened a feeble fire which was soon silenced by the broadside of the Kent and Glasgow and the Germans made for the beach the ship was blown up and handsome reparation made to the Chilean inhabitants for the inconvenience they had suffered by the gun fire.
So everyone except the Huns was satisfied. This run left the Kronprinz Wilhelm as the sole representative of Germany upon the High seas. She flew the only German naval ensign out of Kiel