The squadron, consisting of H.M. ships Invincible, flying my flag, Flag Capt.  Percy T.M.  Beamish; Inflexible, Capt.  Richard F. Phillimore; Carnarvon, flying the flag of Rear Admiral Archibald P. Soddart, Flag Capt.  Harry L.d’E.  Skipwith; Cornwall, Capt.  Walter M. Ellerton; Kent, Capt.  John D. Allen; Glasgow, Capt.  John Loce; Bristol, Capt.  Basil H. Fanshawe, and Macedonia, Capt.  Bertram S. Evans, arrived at Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, Dec. 7, 1914.  Coaling was commenced at once, in order that the ships should be ready to resume the search for the enemy’s squadron the next evening, Dec. 8.

At 8 A.M. on Tuesday, Dec. 8, a signal was received from the signal station on shore: 

“A four-funnel and two-funnel man-of-war in sight from Sapper Hill, steering northward.”

[Illustration:  THE BATTLE OF THE FALKLAND ISLANDS FROM THE OFFICIAL REPORT OF ADMIRAL STURDEE.

The numbers given on the plan show the corresponding positions of vessels at various times.  All ships bearing the same number were simultaneously in the positions charted.]

At this time the positions of the various ships of the squadron were as follows: 

Macedonia:  At anchor as lookout ship.

Kent (guard ship):  At anchor in Port William.

Invincible and Inflexible:  In Port William.

Carnarvon:  In Port William.

Cornwall:  In Port William.

Glasgow:  In Port Stanley.

Bristol:  In Port Stanley.

The Kent was at once ordered to weigh, and a general signal was made to raise steam for full speed.

At 8:20 A.M. the signal station reported another column of smoke in sight to the southward, and at 8:45 A.M. the Kent passed down the harbor and took up a station at the entrance.

The Canopus, Capt.  Heathcoat S. Grant, reported at 8:47 A.M. that the first two ships were eight miles off, and that the smoke reported at 8:20 A.M. appeared to be the smoke of two ships about twenty miles off.

At 8:50 A.M. the signal station reported a further column of smoke in sight to the southward.

The Macedonia was ordered to weigh anchor on the inner side of the other ships, and await orders.

At 9:20 A.M. the two leading ships of the enemy, (Gneisenau and Nuernberg,) with guns trained on the wireless station, came within range of the Canopus, which opened fire at them across the low land at a range of 11,000 yards.  The enemy at once hoisted their colors and turned away.  At this time the masts and smoke of the enemy were visible from the upper bridge of the Invincible at a range of approximately 17,000 yards across the low land to the south of Port William.

A few minutes later the two cruisers altered course to port, as though to close the Kent at the entrance to the harbor, but about this time it seems that the Invincible and Inflexible were seen over the land, as the enemy at once altered course and increased speed to join their consorts.