Müller planned a surprise attack on Penang in British Malaya.
Emden coaled in the Nicobar Islands and departed for Penang on the night of 27 October, with the departure timed to arrive off the harbor at dawn.
She approached the harbor entrance at 03:00 on 28 October, steaming at 18 kn (33 km/h; 21 mph), with the fourth dummy funnel erected to disguise her identity.
Emden's lookouts quickly spotted a warship in the port with lights on; it turned out to be the Russian protected cruiser Zhemchug, a veteran of the Battle of Tsushima.
Zhemchug had put into Penang for boiler repairs; only one was in service, which meant that she could not get under way, nor were the ammunition hoists powered.
Only five rounds of ready ammunition were permitted for each gun, with a sixth chambered.
Emden pulled alongside Zhemchug at a distance of 300 yards (270 m); Müller ordered a torpedo to be fired at the Russian cruiser, then gave the order for the 10.5 cm guns to open fire.

Emden quickly inflicted grievous damage on her adversary, then turned around to make another pass at Zhemchug.
One of the Russian gun crews managed to get a weapon into action, but scored no hits.
Müller ordered a second torpedo to be fired into the burning Zhemchug while his guns continued to batter her.
The second torpedo caused a tremendous explosion that tore the ship apart.
By the time the smoke cleared, Zhemchug had already slipped beneath the waves, the masts the only parts of the ship still above water.
The destruction of Zhemchug killed 81 Russian sailors and wounded 129, of whom seven later died of their injuries.
The elderly French cruiser D'Iberville and the destroyer Fronde opened wildly inaccurate fire on Emden.

Müller then decided to depart, owing to the risk of encountering superior warships.
Upon leaving the harbor, he encountered a British freighter, SS Glen Turret, loaded with ammunition, that had already stopped to pick up a harbor pilot.
While preparing to take possession of the ship, Emden had to recall her boats having spotted an approaching ship.
This proved to be the French destroyer Mousquet, which was unprepared and was quickly destroyed.
Emden stopped to pick up survivors and departed at around 08:00 as the other French ships were raising steam to get underway.
One officer and thirty-five sailors were plucked from the water.
Another French destroyer tried to follow, but lost sight of the German raider in a rainstorm.
On 30 October, Emden stopped the British steamer Newburn and put the French sailors aboard after they signed statements promising not to return to the war.
The attack on Penang was a significant shock to the Entente powers, and caused them to delay the large convoys from Australia, since they would need more powerful escorts.
Müller planned a surprise attack on Penang in British Malaya. Emden coaled in the Nicobar Islands and departed for Penang on the night of 27 October, with the departure timed to arrive off the harbor at dawn. She approached the harbor entrance at 03:00 on 28 October, steaming at 18 kn (33 km/h; 21 mph), with the fourth dummy funnel erected to disguise her identity. Emden's lookouts quickly spotted a warship in the port with lights on; it turned out to be the Russian protected cruiser Zhemchug, a veteran of the Battle of Tsushima. Zhemchug had put into Penang for boiler repairs; only one was in service, which meant that she could not get under way, nor were the ammunition hoists powered. Only five rounds of ready ammunition were permitted for each gun, with a sixth chambered. Emden pulled alongside Zhemchug at a distance of 300 yards (270 m); Müller ordered a torpedo to be fired at the Russian cruiser, then gave the order for the 10.5 cm guns to open fire.
Emden quickly inflicted grievous damage on her adversary, then turned around to make another pass at Zhemchug. One of the Russian gun crews managed to get a weapon into action, but scored no hits. Müller ordered a second torpedo to be fired into the burning Zhemchug while his guns continued to batter her. The second torpedo caused a tremendous explosion that tore the ship apart. By the time the smoke cleared, Zhemchug had already slipped beneath the waves, the masts the only parts of the ship still above water. The destruction of Zhemchug killed 81 Russian sailors and wounded 129, of whom seven later died of their injuries. The elderly French cruiser D'Iberville and the destroyer Fronde opened wildly inaccurate fire on Emden.
Müller then decided to depart, owing to the risk of encountering superior warships. Upon leaving the harbor, he encountered a British freighter, SS Glen Turret, loaded with ammunition, that had already stopped to pick up a harbor pilot. While preparing to take possession of the ship, Emden had to recall her boats having spotted an approaching ship. This proved to be the French destroyer Mousquet, which was unprepared and was quickly destroyed. Emden stopped to pick up survivors and departed at around 08:00 as the other French ships were raising steam to get underway. One officer and thirty-five sailors were plucked from the water. Another French destroyer tried to follow, but lost sight of the German raider in a rainstorm. On 30 October, Emden stopped the British steamer Newburn and put the French sailors aboard after they signed statements promising not to return to the war. The attack on Penang was a significant shock to the Entente powers, and caused them to delay the large convoys from Australia, since they would need more powerful escorts.
SMS Emden