Catalogue description Folio 336: telegram from Commander-in-Chief, Cape to Admiralty 20th September 1914, HMS...

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Details of ADM 137/10/10
Reference: ADM 137/10/10
Description:

Folio 336: telegram from Commander-in-Chief, Cape to Admiralty 20th September 1914, HMS Pegasus sunk in harbour 2pm. HMS Pegasus appears to have been surprised by Konigsberg [German light cruiser] in an unprepared state and unable to move which I think in the absence of further particulars is inexplicable in view of my orders to Captain. I have directed Commander [J A] Ingles report fully by telegram to me and Admiralty. Commander Ingles reports about 40 killed including Lt Cdrs Turner and Drake, about 60 wounded including Staff Paymaster Seath, Gunner Goss and Carpenter Adams. Am endeavouring to secure suitable ship for hospital ship to bring wounded to Cape of Good Hope where they will have better chance of recovery. From same to same 20th September 1914, have requisitioned [SS] Gascon [Union Castle Line] as hospital ship.

Folios 339-340: telegram from Captain, HMS Pegasus Zanzibar to Admiralty 20th September 1914, Gascon with stores and ratings being expected decided to remain Zanzibar for 2 days, suspect Konigsberg [German light cruiser] ascertained our correct position during night, approached Effbe lighthouse full speed 5am, disabled patrol launch with 3 shots then opened fire on HMS Pegasus; had range correct with second salvo before we could open fire. Her shooting very accurate; she opened at 9 and closed at 7, all our engagement broadside guns disabled after 15 minutes and fire ceased from us. Nearly all our casualties occurred round the guns and on the upper deck. Ship badly holed on the water line, she eventually sank. Removed 2 3-pdrs and 2 maxims. All survivors camped inland; very few rifles obtained; defences generally poor through lack of guns. Impossible to save 4guns.

Folios 344-345: telegram from the Governor of the East Africa Protectorate to the Secretary of State for the Colonies 21st September 1914, breakdown of Volunteer Forces with names of commanding officers.

Folio 346: telegram from HMS Dartmouth, Manora to Admiralty 21st September 1914, HMS Dartmouth and [RIM] Hardinge sailed with convoy for rendevous.

Folio 347: telegram from Admiralty to A.S. [Admiral Superintendent] Malta 21st September 1914, HMS Minerva to relieve HMS Weymouth on escort duty to Marseilles. HMS Weymouth to escort HMS Minerva's transports to Egypt and at once proceed via Suez Canal to join HMS Dartmouth and HMS Chatham in hunt for Konigsberg [German light cruiser].

Folio 349: telegram from Commander-in-Chief, Simonstown to Admiralty 21st September 1914, suggest that HMS Hyacinth should come direct to Cape from St Helena; that HMS Astraea and Armadale Castle should remain with Imperial troops until Union Expedition is safely landed, HMS Astraea then proceeding to St Vincent Island (Cape Verde) with Imperial troops and Armadale Castle; I should proceed in HMS Hyacinth with Kinfauns Castle to East Coast and search for Konigsberg in co-operation with HMS Chatha, which has been ordered from Aden to Mombasa.

Folio 350: telegram from Admiralty to Resident, Zanzibar 21st September 1914, HMS Chatham from Red Sea has been ordered to Zanzibar to search for Konigsberg en route. HMS Dartmouth and HMS Fox escorting troops to Mombasa. Then HMS Chatham and HMS Dartmouth will hunt Konigsberg. HMS Weymouth from Mediterranean ordered to assist.

Folio 351: telegram from Admiralty to Commander-in-Chief East Indies, Bombay 21st September 1914 - HMS Weymouth from Mediterranean placed under your orders to assist HMS Chatham and HMS Dartmouth in searching for Konigsberg [German light cruiser].

Folio 353: telegram from HMS Chatham Aden to Admiralty 21st September 1914, HMS Chatham left for Mombasa. Expect to arrive Saturday 26th morning.

Folio 355: telegram from the Governor of the East Africa Protectorate to the Secretary of State for the Colonies 22nd September 1914 relating to the engagement at the Tsavo River, casualties were: killed Lieutenant Foster, King's African Rifles, 5 K.A.R. rank and file, one Somali scout, seven mules. Wounded 3 K.A.R. rank and file, 2 Somali scouts. Isaacson in charge of Somali scouts took over command on death of Foster.

Folio 357: telegram from Viceroy to India Office 22nd September 1914, it is hoped that whole Force B will be despatched on 8th or 9th October. Disposition of units making up Force B.

Folio 358: telegram from the Minister For Foreign Affairs, Paris to French Ambassador 22nd September 1914, the presence on the East Coast of Africa of the German cruiser Konigsberg constitutes a serious danger for the French Mail Steamer Melbourne which left Diego Suarez for France on the 18th September with officers and war material. This ship being now at the Seychelles I should be glad if you would ask the British Government to warn her.

Folio 362: telegram from Resident Zanzibar to Admiralty 22nd September 1914, Konigsberg [German light cruiser] is between Mombasa and Zanzibar.

Folio 366: Coal on East African Coast.

Folio 367b: telegram from Commander-in-Chief, Cape to Admiralty 15th September 1914, Union Government have asked me to arrange safe conveyance to Durban from Mombasa of cargo of ammunition. HMS Pegasus requires some stores. I propose to send a gun to Seychelles if they can man it. Propose to do these three services with Kinfauns Castle. History Section Precis.

Folio 367c: telegram from Admiralty to Commander-in-Chief, Cape 16th September 1914, Kinfauns Castle should not go alone; she should be worked with HMS Astraea and HMS Hyacinth.

Folio 367d: telegram from Commander-in-Chief, Simonstown to Admiralty 22nd September 1914, Union Government accepts offer of 2 batteries and propose sending 2 6inch guns on railway wagons in addition for use against fortified places. It is desired that 500 rounds of ammunition per gun be provided, propose mounting guns Zanzibar, Mombasa, Seychelles first opportunity.

Folio 367f: 1st L [First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill] 25th September 1914: all proposals for mounting guns or allocating gunners to Zanzibar, Mombasa and Seychelles should be submitted before any action is taken. Asst.Secy [Assistant Secretary] 26th September 1914: it appears the question originated with Commander-in-Chief, Cape and has not been considered by Admiralty. Is this so? And will War Staff raise the question for decision?

Date: 1914
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Legal status: Public Record(s)
Closure status: Open Document, Open Description

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