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Monday, April 05, 2004
*Beaufort County's fleet of mosquito spraying trucks and aircraft are being geared up
-Beaufort Gazette, 4-5-04
*Businessman offers new barge service to bridgeless community of Daufuskie Island
-Hilton Head Island Packet Online, 4-5-04
*New book explores St. Joe's plans to remake Panhandle
-Florida Times Union, 4-5-04
Battle of River Plate P 12:
12.
It seemed unlikely she would sail tonight, but Commodore Harwood felt he could not relax and just rely on this information, both he and his ships must remain ever vigilent, the cat and mouse game went on!
At 1615 ( 4.15 PM ) he signalled his ships in company:
" My object Destruction necessitates keeping my force together. My Appreciation. Rely on getting his time of sailing and initial course from shore. For subsequent movements rely on CUMBERLAND'S aircraft
reconnaissance reports."
" Enemy's courses of Action. (a) North of English Bank, (b) Between English and Rouen Banks. (c) Between Rouen Bank and San Antonio. (d) Double back on any track.
"My Course of Action. I rule out righting him off Whistle Buoy as being politically impossible. Until the dawn phase I want to keep the advantage of light and from this it follows that I must keep to the east and move to intercept him from area to area depending on time and information. My Plan. To keep within reach of intercepting him north of English Bank moving south or doubling back as information comes in.
Tactical. I must keep CUMBERLAND so placed that she will not have her fire masked initially, and therefore I will work in divisions 8 cables apart with ACHILLES in close order astern of AJAX."
" After action commences, divisions have complete freedom of action. CUMBERLAND'S aircraft is to be flown off as soon as news is received of enemy's sailing."
The British ship Demster Grange was sailed out of Montevideo at 1700 ( 5 PM ) and a further period before Graf Spee could be allowed to sail was claimed. It was reported that repairs to her were almost completed, and she might try to break out at any moment.
A signal from the Admiralty stated Commodore Henry Harwood was promoted Rear Admiral from the 13th. of December, and the King bestowed the Knight Companion of the Bath ( KCB ) on him, and the Companion of the Bath ( CB ) on the three cruiser Captains, C.H.L Woodhouse in Ajax, W.E. Parry in Achilles, and F. S. Bell in Exeter. Much rejoicing in the British ships lying in wait off the River Plate.
The night was spent patrolling on a north/south line 5 miles east of the English Bank Light Buoy. Olynthus was sent to be off Rouen Bank by 1000 ( 10 AM ) on the 17th. if Graf Spee had not appeared.
Sunday the 17th. of December.
Achilles was sent off to refuel, whilst both Ajax and Cumberland kept up a lookout at visibility distance. Graf Spee was reported to have landed all the borrowed welding equipment in the forenoon. Although the British ships were into their fifth night of patient waiting, cheerful optimism was reported in all ships.
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