Cradock told the Admiralty on 22 October that he was rounding Cape Horn and leaving Canopus with his colliers. Fisher became First Sea Lord on 27 October and, the next day, ordered Cradock not to engage without the battleship while also redirecting Defence to reinforce him. Those corrections came after the decisive deployment choices and did not reach Cradock before battle. Glasgow intercepted German radio traffic and reported what appeared to be one cruiser, while Von Spee learned of Glasgow and came south expecting the same kind of isolated target. By transmitting and chasing Glasgow, Von Spee accepted a risk that radio silence might have allowed him to avoid.
Chapter · 51:53-56:44
Late orders and the mutual interception
Fisher's corrective orders came too late, while radio intelligence drew both squadrons toward what each believed was a single enemy cruiser.