Shell Holes SMS Dresden

In the cliffs adjacent to the scuttling site of SMS Dresden are several shell holes made by an overshoot salvo from the British warships Kent and Glasgow demonstrating how close the ships were in this engagement. The unexploded shell remains in one of the holes.

"These shell impacts on the Dresden are an accurate reflection of the naval battle on March 14th 1915 in Cumberland Bay during the First World War. That day, the Robinson Crusoe Island witnessed an English Force composed by the battle cruisers HMS Kent, HMS Orama and HMS Glasgow which found the German cruiser SMS Dresden at anchor in Cumberland Bay after a long chase by the English.
The SMS Dresden, led by Captain Ludecke, unable to escape or face battle, starts to prepare to sink his ship; however the first volley came from the east, by HMS Kent, damaging the deck of the SMS Dresden seriously.
From the west, at a similar distance the cruiser Glasgow and the armed merchant cruiser Orama opened fore, piercing the hull mercilessly.
'The hurricane of iron and fire lasted five minutes, time enough to wreck death among the German crew, unable now to react with courage' (De Val, 2004 page 188).
While the German ship was on fire, belching out smoke at the sight of everyone, a surrender white flag is hoisted on the Dresden, allowing the surviving crew to swim until the coast of the Robinson Crusoe Island"

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Source

• Text: Sharky Ward/Information Board
• Photos: Anthony (Sharky) Ward (1, 2, 3), Anthony (Sharky) Ward (4, 5)