For a time the
two squadrons kept parallel to each other at a distance of twelve
miles, with the British squadron--the _Invincible_ and _Inflexible_
leading--north of the German ships. The _Baden_ and _Santa Isabel_,
two transports that had been part of the German squadron, were
unable to keep up with the others and headed south, pursued by
the _Bristol_ and _Macedonia_. The two British battle cruisers
were faster than any other ships in either squadron, and while
pulling up on the German ships were in danger of pulling away from
their own ships. To avoid the latter, Admiral Sturdee kept down
their speed and was content with taking a little longer to get
within gun range of Von Spee's ships. By two o'clock the distance
between them was about 16,000 yards; the _Invincible_ and _Inflexible_
had now left the rest of the British squadron far behind and took
issue with the _Scharnhorst_ and _Gneisenau_ respectively. The
remaining British ships, with the exception of the _Carnarvon_,
gave attention to the three lighter German cruisers and the _Eitel
Friedrich_, which had broken from the first formation and were
now pointing southeast.
Von Spee ordered the _Scharnhorst_ and _Gneisenau_ to turn broadside
to the enemy. Shells were falling upon the German ships with fair
accuracy, but their return fire could do little damage to the British
ships, because the range was a little too great for the German
8.
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