The German Ships SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU, (heavy cruisers), stood off Papeete, Tahiti, and shelled the coal dumps at the port. ADML von Spee intended landing, but the presence of HMAS AUSTRALIA, (battle-cruiser), in the Pacific, changed his mind. The only Allied warship at Papeete was the small French gunboat ZEILE, which was scuttled by her crew.
Australian Naval History on 21 September 1914
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