An excellent idea of the vicious attack by the Australian cruiser
_Sydney_ that ended the career of the German cruiser _Emden_ is
gained in a letter from an officer of the Indian army in Ceylon,
where the _Emden's_ wounded were taken. He writes:
"The _Sydney_ was warned by a wireless message from the Cocos
Islands station to put on full speed; she made twenty-nine knots.
When she sighted the _Emden_ the latter was anchored, but came out
to give battle.
"The _Emden_ got in the first three shots. Only one landed, as after
that the _Sydney_ took care to keep out of range. The larger guns
fired 600 rounds, and after one and a half hours of action, during
which the ships covered fifty-six miles in manoeuvring, the _Sydney_
forced the _Emden_ to beach herself, her steering gear having broken.
"The _Sydney_ then put up a signal to surrender, but as all on
deck except three had been killed this was not done. The _Sydney_
accordingly gave her two more broadsides as she lay on the beach.
"When the Germans succeeded in showing the white flag the _Sydney_
went off to sink the collier. After this she returned to the _Emden_
and sent parties to help the survivors. It is said the _Emden_ was a
perfect shambles. She had nearly 200 killed.
"The Germans had torn up their flag and threw it into the sea."