The bombardment Attack was initiated Process_start by the German light cruiser `` Emden '' at the outset of the war Military_operation in 1914 .

With Captain Karl von Müller in command Control , on the night of 22 September 1914 , SMS `` Emden '' quietly approached Arriving the city of Madras on the southeastern coast of the Indian peninsula .

After ten minutes of firing Use_firearm , `` Emden '' had hit Attack five of the tanks and destroyed Destroying 346,000 gallons of fuel , and the cruiser then successfully retreated Escaping .