 After dusk on 10 November , Kaiser left Shanghai and headed toward Kiautschou . Prinzess Wilhelm and Cormoran were to leave the following day to allay suspicion . The three ships rendezvoused on the 12th at sea ; Diederichs intended to steam into Kiautschou on the 14th and seize the port . At 06 : 00 on the 14th , Cormoran steamed into the bay to bring the Chinese forts under fire , while Kaiser and Prinzess Wilhelm sent a landing force of some 700 men ashore . In the span of two hours , Diederichs 's forces had captured the central and outlying forts and destroyed the Chinese telegraph , preventing them from notifying their superiors of the German attack . After negotiating with General Chang , the commander of the Kiautschou garrison , Diederichs succeeded in forcing the Chinese concession of Kiautschou to Germany , which he proclaimed at 14 : 20 . Diederichs was promoted to Vice Admiral following the successful seizure of the port . 
