Folios 435-436: telegram from French Naval Attache to Marine Bordeaux, 9 November 1914 – various squadrons are concentrating to oppose German Squadron West coast of Africa is only weak point remaining. Folio 441: telegram from Durban to Admiralty, 9 November 1914 – [armed merchant cruiser] Kinfauns Castle arrived and sailed. Folio 442: telegram from Governor General of South Africa to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, 9 November 1914 – fighting has begun in Orange Free State [General] Botha starts tonight in command of a large force. Folio 445: telegram from Commander-in-Chief Cape, Simonstown to Admiralty, 10 November 1914 –HMS Hyacinth arrived. Folio 453: telegram from Admiralty to Ascension Island, 11 November 1914 – asking if island can supply transport and accommodation for staff to erect wireless station. Folio 455: telegram from Governor General of South Africa to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, 11 November 1914 – ministers worried in case German squadron from Chile relieve Ludertitz Bay Naval force here is insufficient to cope with them Admiral says he must withdraw ship from Walfisch Bay This will enable Windhuk to be revictualled History Section M 03549/14. Folio 468: telegram from Commander-in-Chief Simonstown to Admiralty, 12 November 1914 – asks for details of battle of Coronel Is German squadron intact? Two months ago Germans at Ludertitz said that Germans would come in two months and turn out British Looks as if German Squadron is coming to German South West Africa. Folio 473: telegram from Admiralty to Commander-in-Chief East Indies, 12 November 1914 – HMS Weymouth to proceed to Simons Bay. Folio 477: telegram from Senior Naval Officer Simonstown to Admiralty, 13 November 1914 – have told Governor General of South Africa that I am withdrawing ships from Walfisch Bay and that Expedition must be suspended until Germans are accounted for In view of internal situation this cannot advance for some time. Folio 482: telegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governor General of South Africa, 13 November 1914 – Cape Squadron is being reinforced by HMS Minotaur and HMS Dartmouth and Commander-in-Chief has been informed of importance of protecting army base. Folio 487: telegram from Admiralty to Senior Naval Officer, Simonstown, 13 November 1914 – when HMS Minotaur joins you it will be possible for you to move to Walfisch with HMS Albion keeping all your forces concentrated HMS Dartmouth and HMS Weymouth joining you. Folio 488: telegram from Admiralty to Commander-in-Chief Australia, 13 November 1914 – ten German ships off Valparaiso early 13th November Folio 490: telegram from Senior Naval Officer Mombasa to Admiralty 14th November 1914 – HMS Weymouth sailed for Simonstown 7am. Folio 491: telegram from Commander-in-Chief Cape, Simonstown to Admiralty, 14 November 1914 – HMS Albion left Walfisch Bay – will be here 16th History Section M 04432/14. Folio 493: telegram from Commander-in-Chief Cape, Simonstown to Admiralty, 14 November 1914 – am sending [armed merchant cruiser] Armadale Castle to Walfisch Bay to relieve HMS Albion. Folio 499: telegram from Durban to Admiralty, 15 November 1914 – HMS Dartmouth arrived. Folio 507: telegram from Commander-in-Chief Cape, Simonstown to Admiralty 16th November 1914 – request Admiralty notify owners of Station Collier Newbridge used by HMS Chatham to block in [German cruiser] Konigsberg as to disposal of vessel and arrange terms of purchase. Folio 511: telegram from Intelligence Officer, Cape Town to Admiralty, 16 November 1914 – following from British Consul General Loanda – owing to action of German troops in attacking ports in Portuguese territory, Portuguese expect orders to seize or expel German ships in harbour [Note – Admiral Sir Henry Jackson] – suggest [French cruiser] Pothuau go from Cameroons to wait off Loanda. Folio 517: telegram from Admiralty to Commander-in-Chief Cape, Simonstown 16th November 1914 – your 365 cartridges for QF[quick firer] 12 pdr 12 cwt guns 2000 sent by mail steamer Norman 14th November No shrapnel can be spared Use common shell from stock. Folio 518: memo from ETC, 16 November 1914 – Luderitz Bay is now in cable communication with Cape Town. Folio 524: telegram from Admiralty to Intelligence Officer, 17 November 1914 – if German ships are ordered to leave Loanda French authorities will be asked to send [French cruiser] Portuau to deal with them Folio 528: telegram from HMS Minotaur, Mauritius to Admiralty 18th November 1914 – arrived and will leave 20th Arrive Simon’s Bay 26th. Folio 535: telegram from Commander-in-Chief Cape, Simonstown to Admiralty, 19 November 1914 – HMS Dartmouth arrived and docked, will undock 21st November Folio 543: telegram from Admiralty to Commander-in-Chief Cape 19th November 1914 – when naval operations in East Africa are completed HMS Goliath will refit at Simonstown. Folio 546: telegram from Navy Office, Melbourne to Admiralty, 20 November 1914 – German spy says [German cruisers] Scharnhorst and Gneisenau are proceeding to Cape to attack Australian convoy supposed to be using that route. Folio 564a: telegram from Admiralty to Commander-in-Chief Cape, 22 November 1914 – HMS Defence will leave Abrolhos 25th to join you Until then keep HMS Minotaur and HMS Albion together and other ships either with them or under guns of Simon’s Bay. Folio 573: telegram from Commander-in-Chief Cape, Simonstown to Admiralty, 25 November 1914 – Union Government propose to send Expedition to Walfisch Bay 12th December I think it should not start until German squadron is dealt with Request instructions. Folio 575: telegram from Commander-in-Chief Cape, Simonstown to Admiralty, 23 November 1914 – have recalled [armed merchant cruiser] Armadale Castle to Simon’s Bay. Folio 584: telegram from Commander-in-Chief Cape, Simonstown to Admiralty, 24 November 1914 – date of sailing of expedition now advanced to 2nd December. Folio 585: telegram from Admiralty to Commander-in-Chief Cape, 24 November 1914 – will reply when [German cruiser] Scharnhorst’s movements are known. Folio 607: telegram from Admiralty to Commander-in-Chief Cape, 26 November 1914 – when HMS Defence joins squadron expedition can be sent to Walfisch Bay escorted by HMS Minotaur, HMS Defence, HMS Dartmouth and your squadron Route will not be safe without escort of a force which can beat the enemy. Folio 610: telegram from Point Natal to Admiralty, 27 November 1914 – [armed merchant cruiser] Kinfauns Castle arrived. Folio 612: telegram from Commander-in-Chief, Simonstown to Admiralty, 27 November 1914 – HMS Minotaur arrived. Folios 621-622: telegram from Commander-in-Chief Cape, Simonstown to Admiralty, 27 November 1914 – have expressed to Governor General of South Africa following objections to Walfisch Bay Expedition Escort must remain to protect base as no 92 guns ashore Impossible to protect two bases simultaneously If sea work limited to Luderitz Bay risks reduced by half to three quarters My earliest date from Cape Town to Walfisch Bay 14th December Propose to leave in HMS Minotaur with HMS Albion, HMS Dartmouth, HMS Weymouth, HMS Hyacinth and HMS Astraea 1st December for Luderitz Bay thence to meet HMS Defence and return to Simon’s Bay If Walfisch Expedition postponed shall remain at Luderitz Bay. Folio 623: telegram from Point Natal to Admiralty, 28 November 1914 – [armed merchant cruiser] Kinfauns Castle sailed. Listing continued in ADM 137/13/5.