First Sea Lord.
In these circumstances it would be best for the British ships to keep within supporting distance of one another, whether in the Straits or near the Falklands, and to postpone the cruise along the West Coast until the present uncertainty about Scharnhorst-Gneisenau is cleared up.
They and not the trade are our quarry for the moment. Above all, we must not miss them.
W. S. C.
The First Sea Lord the same evening added the word ‘Settled.’
On the 14th October, I discussed the whole situation which was developing with the First Sea Lord, and in accordance with my usual practice I sent him a minute after the conversation of what I understood was decided between us.
First Sea Lord.
I understood from our conversation that the dispositions you proposed for the South Pacific and South Atlantic were as follows:—
(1) Cradock to concentrate at the Falklands Canopus, Monmouth, Good Hope and Otranto.
(2) To send Glasgow round to look for Leipzig and attack, and protect trade on the West Coast of South America as far north as Valparaiso.