Eye-witness Account of a Duel at Sea between Great Steamers Built for
Passenger Traffic
Early in the war the Cunard trans-Atlantic steamer _Carmania_ was
converted into an auxiliary cruiser. Painted black from stem to stern
(that was before the art of “camouflage” was introduced), and mounted
with eight 4.7 guns, she left Liverpool for a reconnoitering cruise
in the South Atlantic. Between 600 and 700 miles east of the coast of
Brazil there is a small island of rock known as Trinidad (not to be
confused with the West Indian Island of that name). The _Carmania_ came
in sight of this island one morning toward the end of September and
discovered three steamers in the vicinity. As soon as these steamers
caught sight of the piratical looking _Carmania_ they moved about
uncertainly for a time and then made off. But when it was apparent
that the black intruder was alone, the largest of the three steamers
turned back. This ship proved to be the _Cap Trafalgar_, a magnificent
steamer, the chief of the Hamburg-South American Line, built for the
special purpose of successful competition with the British Royal Mail
in securing the South American passenger traffic and shipping trade.
She too was equipped as an auxiliary cruiser, with eight 4.1 guns, up
to date, their newness offsetting the extra caliber of the _Carmania’s_
older guns.
The tonnage of the _Carmania_ was 19,524, that of the _Cap Trafalgar_,
18,710. Splendid targets, both “so colossal,” said a writer, “as to
be beyond the possibility of a failure to hit with any gun-layer.”
A well-matched pair—ocean-going palaces, taken from their peaceful
pursuits, transformed into war machines, neither having any appreciable
advantage over the other as a belligerent, and now ranged against each
other for a decisive duel. There was a fair field, too, for the two
steamers seen with the _Cap Trafalgar_ continued their retreat and
disappeared across the horizon, though one returned later.
It was the first sea duel of its kind. Never before had two floating
hotels played at gun fire with each other, each intent on sending the
other to Davy Jones’s locker if possible. When the action began the
vessels were separated by about 8,000 yards, and their nearest approach
was about 4,000 yards. As the sinking of its enemy was the aim, the
guns of each combatant were directed at the water line of the other.
Of the first few shells fired by the _Cap Trafalgar_, three made holes
in the _Carmania_ at and above the water line, one tore through the
stewards’ quarters, one smashed the lower deck galley and carried away
the fire main leading to the bridge and fore-part of the ship, the
latter the most serious damage.
A report of the engagement written two hours after, by one who took
part in it was published in the _War Album De-Luxe_, from which the
following is taken: