 On 28 October 1914, the Battle of Penang occurred, during which an Imperial German Navy cruiser, "SMS Emden", covertly sailed into George Town and sank the Imperial Russian Navy cruiser, "Zhemchug".The French Navy destroyer, "Mousquet", set off in pursuit, before being sunk by "SMS Emden" as well off the northwestern tip of Penang Island.147 French and Russian sailors perished, while the survivors were rescued by local Malay fishermen.