Todd war diary, 3 August 1914-29 February 1916 / Arthur Todd - Page 248
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[Page 248]
columns of fire and smoke to shoot up from the decks. At first it was hard to distinguish our own hits from the flame of the enemy guns, but soon it was possible to see great gaping holes opening up and the fires glowing dully within. Quite soon a lucky shell put her steering gear out of action, and the enemy was compelled to steer with her twin propellers, reducing the speed to about thirteen knots. The same salvo crumpled up the torpedo flat, and then the Emden was at our mercy. With our undiminished speed we could now circle round the ship and proceed with the business of smashing her up. Soon fires broke out all over the after part, and the centre funnel fell blazing hot on to the deck. Then another funnel was laid across its fellow, and the great foremast canted slowly over, fell into the sea, and was cut away. Still her guns went on firing, though less frequently now and with diminished accuracy. She was seen to be riddled with holes, and appeared to be sinking. Another salvo, and a dense column of smoke shot up. "She's gone sir," shouted someone, and an officer called the boats away to pick up survivors. But the smoke cleared, and the gallant though doomed ship spat fire again. Her funnel now was gone, and she was heading for the beach. The guns' crews rushed back and poured more shells in, and the Emden, now all ablaze and rapidly filling, ran up on the reef. The German officers told us afterwards that they debated long whether they should sink with the ship and keep the flag flying till the last, or run ashore; finally they came to the conclusion that it was