The tactical trap at Coronel

The sea was too rough to transfer Glasgow's collected messages by boat, so they were passed along a line floated between ships. A wide search line led to first sighting and a ninety-minute chase after both sides discovered stronger opposition than expected. Cradock tried to close while the sun still offered a chance to fight or gain room. Spee waited until the British were silhouetted and opened at a range favouring the German armoured cruisers. Flooded casemates, obscured German targets, and fires aboard the British ships deepened the imbalance, while Glasgow fought effectively against the German light cruisers.