[Illustration: Plan of action between _Kent_ and _Nürnberg_, and of that between _Cornwall_ and _Glasgow_ and _Leipzig_]
We have seen in the account of the _Kent_ and _Nürnberg_ action that up to 4 o’clock cruisers of both sides kept fairly well together, and that then the Germans opened out. It was shortly after this that they got out of sight of each other. _Kent_ pursued _Nürnberg_ in a more easterly direction, the _Glasgow_ and _Cornwall_ pursuing _Leipzig_ more to the south. In order to bring the _Leipzig_ to action _Glasgow_ was sent forward on the _Cornwall’s_ left, which made Leipzig, while still of course retreating as fast as she could, turn slightly towards _Cornwall_ and transfer her fire to her. All three ships were now firing, but the shots were falling short, until at about 4:20 _Cornwall_ made the first hit on the enemy, carrying away his foremast. This made the enemy edge away to the right, a move which was followed by _Cornwall_ also. The range was now shortening. When it was 8,000 yards _Leipzig_ made her first hits. _Cornwall_ thereupon altered course still more to starboard thus bringing about two effective results. The whole broadside of guns came in play, and the change of course threw out _Leipzig’s_ fire control. Both ships kept on these courses, and the range increased again to nearly 10,000 yards. As we have previously seen, it was at this time that the weather began to get really thick, and as a consequence of this it became exceedingly difficult to see the fall of shot, but it is worth remembering that _Leipzig_ was still hitting with her 4.2’s. Shortly after 5 o’clock, however, the range reached over 10,000 yards, and it became necessary to close once more. Between five and a quarter to six _Cornwall_, that had now clearly got the speed of _Leipzig_, carried out precisely the same tactics that the Vice-Admiral had adopted in the case of the battle-cruisers. Alternately, that is to say, closing the enemy at full speed, shelling him with the fo’c’sle guns, and then turning sharply to starboard to bring the whole broadside to bear. At about a quarter to six _Leipzig_ landed a shell in _Cornwall’s_ paint room, which shook the ship but did no damage. Captain Ellerton now decided to shorten the range and use lyddite shell. In the half hour between a quarter to six and a quarter past the range was brought down to about 8,500, and by about 6:40 it was reduced to 7,000. A far better proportion of hits was now being obtained, and the effect of the lyddite became immediately apparent. First one and then another of _Leipzig’s_ guns ceased firing, and by ten minutes to seven a big fire started forward. A few minutes before _Cornwall_ had heard the news by wireless of the sinking of _Scharnhorst_ and _Gneisenau_, and officers and men redoubled their efforts. The range was closed still more, the hitting became more intense, but the enemy in spite of his losses and damages kept every gun that could still work firing, and was actually hitting _Cornwall_ frequently right up to five minutes past seven, but in another five minutes two of her funnels were gone and the ship was blazing fore and aft.