DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
MSPA 378/09
Monday, 9 November 2009
“SURRENDER IN THE NAME OF HUMANITY” -
TRIBUTES TO AUSTRALIA’S FIRST VICTORY AT SEA 95
YEARS ON
The Australian Navy is today commemorating the anniversary of the RAN’s first sea
battle, between HMAS Sydney and the German light cruiser SMS Emden. The
confrontation changed the way Australians thought of themselves as a maritime
nation.
On 9 November 1914, an urgent signal was sent by the wireless operator on the Cocos
Islands, reporting the arrival of a mysterious warship. HMAS Sydney I, escorting the
first Australian and New Zealand troop convoy to the European theatre of war, was
sent to investigate.
The mysterious visitor turned out to be SMS Emden, which in just two months of war
had already captured or sunk 25 merchant vessels, a Russian cruiser and a French
destroyer. The German ship opened fire first, accurately targeting her Australian
enemy with a salvo every six seconds. A dozen hits were recorded in the first 10
minutes of the engagement, but fortunately for Sydney only five burst. Four
Australian sailors were killed and several wounded.
Sydney hit back hard. Her 6-inch shells wrecked the enemy's steering gear, shot away
equipment and smashed Emden’s internal communications. Shortly afterwards her
forward funnel toppled overboard, soon followed by the foremast.
Despite the damage and the inevitable end, Emden fought on. Half her crew were
disabled and her second funnel had gone, before her captain ran her aground in a bid
to prevent further loss of life
Sydney’s Commanding Officer Captain John Glossop later signaled his German
counterpart:
“ I have the honour to request that in the name of humanity you now surrender your
ship to me… In the event of' your surrendering in which I venture to remind you is no
disgrace but rather your misfortune, I will endeavour to do all I can for your sick and
wounded and take them to a hospital.”
Emden lost 134 men killed in action or died of wounds, but the care lavished on the
injured by the Australian sailors did much to earn the respect of the defeated
Germans.
DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
Royal Australian Navy Historian Dr David Stevens says the RAN was blooded for the
first time that day. Although highly significant, the battle is sometimes overlooked.
“Australians are very familiar with the ANZAC legend forged at Gallipoli,” Dr
Stevens said. “ but Australia’s baptism of fire came several months earlier, and a lot
closer to home. By removing the German threat at sea the RAN ensured that future
convoys could cross the oceans in safety. No Australian soldier was ever lost to
enemy action on his way to the Middle East.”
The men who fought and died for their respective countries left behind a legacy of
honour, honesty, courage, integrity and loyalty – these are the values which Navy
lives by to this day.
Media Note:
Dr David Stevens from the Sea Power Centre in Canberra is available for interview on
request.
The original of CAPT Glossop’s signal is also on-line.
Media contact:
LCDR Fenn Kemp:
0423 395 416
Defence Media Liaison: 02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
