On 19 November, shortly before 16:00, "Kormoran" was southwest of Carnarvon, Western Australia. The raider was sailing northwards (heading 025°) at . At 15:55, what was initially thought to be a tall ship sail was sighted off the port bow, although it was quickly determined to be the mast of a warship (HMAS "Sydney"). Detmers ordered "Kormoran" to alter course into the sun (heading 260°) at maximum achievable speed (which quickly dropped from because of problems in one of her diesel engines), while setting the ship to action stations. "Sydney" spotted the German ship around the same time, and altered from her southward heading to intercept at .