The ANZAC convoy, positioned north-east of the Cocos Islands, heard the coded "Buresk" summons, then the distress call from Direction Island. Believing the unidentified ship to be "Emden" or (also believed to be at large in the region), "Melbourne"s captain, Mortimer Silver, ordered his ship to make full speed and turn for Cocos. Silver quickly realised that as commander of the convoy escort, he needed to remain with the troopships, and he reluctantly ordered "Sydney" to detach. "Ibuki" raised her battle ensign and requested permission to follow "Sydney", but the Japanese ship was ordered to remain with the convoy. At 09:15, "Sydney" spotted Direction Island and the attacking ship. Confident of being able to outrun, outrange, and outshoot the German vessel, Glossop ordered the ship to prepare for action. He agreed with his gunnery officer to open fire at : well within "Sydney"s firing range, but outside the believed range of "Emden" guns.