There was some confusion amongst the German ships as to the fate of the two armoured cruisers, which had disappeared into the dark once they ceased firing, and a hunt began. "Leipzig" saw something burning, but on approaching found only wreckage. "Nürnberg"—slower than the other German ships—arrived late at the battle and sighted "Monmouth", listing and badly damaged but still moving. After pointedly directing his searchlights at the ship's ensign, an invitation to surrender—which was declined—he opened fire, finally sinking the ship. Without firm information, Spee decided that "Good Hope" had escaped and called off the search at 22:15. Mindful of the reports that a British battleship was around somewhere, he turned north.