Glossop had orders to ascertain the status of the transmission station, and left with "Sydney" to do so, after sending a boat with "Buresk"s crew to "Emden" with some medical supplies and a message that they would return the next day. In addition to checking on Direction Island, there was also the potential that "Emden" and "Königsberg" had been operating together and that the second ship would approach to recover the attack party from the island, or go after the troop convoy; consequently, "Sydney" could not render assistance to "Emden"s survivors until such threats had passed. It was too late to make a landing on Direction Island, so the cruiser spent the night patrolling the islands, and approached the wireless station the next morning. On arrival, the Australians learned that the Germans had escaped the previous evening in a commandeered schooner. "Sydney" embarked the island's doctor and two assistants, then headed for North Keeling Island.