F. S. Bell 1939. "Exeter's" six eight-inch guns were mainly responsible for seriously damaging the in the Battle of the River Plate in December 1939. In this battle, "Exeter" also incurred severe damage from seven hits by eleven-inch shells and suffered 61 killed and 23 wounded. One salvo from the "Graf Spee" did a great deal of damage to the wheelhouse and killed all but three of the officers in it. Bell survived with minor injuries and he ordered that the remaining turrets should continue firing on the enemy. As damage control parties battled fires and flooding, Bell used a compass from one
HMS Galgo (1799) vessels captured from the enemy. This was a misfortune for Captain Milne of , who had just captured the French frigate . Still, the Admiralty must have relented as they did purchase "Vengeance", and subsequently other vessels. Notes Citations References HMS Galgo (1799) HMS "Galgo" was a Spanish corvette, launched in 1795, that the British captured in November 1799. In her brief career she detained, took or destroyed a number of small prizes before she foundered, with the loss of most of her crew, in October 1800. In autumn 1799, a convoy that consisted of vessels from England and Cork,