Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1898-08-27


our decks. but do not think ths. TIE
japanese were aware OF or attack
until we were well on orr way.
We were completely shrouded IA
choking fog Of or own smoke. and IL
wSs probably this moving cloud tha,
first warned them % their danger AT
the time 4 coald not see fifty feet
ahead, but l have since been told that
IN response 70 a signal from the Yos-
hino the five cruisers backed OF for
half o mile and took up serni-circl-
lar position. while they hastily brought
their Hotchkiss and other rapid-Ere
guns q bear on rs IN coavergent
storm g shot
In the bow compartment Of the
Sun-pai I had torpedo ready set for
discharge. while three others were
prepared. Ny two Chinese assistants
sQuatted there. Waiting - work the
apparatus AZ my bidding For the
first half-mile, however, I remained
with the captain. looking ont os the
loophoies ia the dome.
As we dashed forward We could dis
Germ the Outlines of one or two boats
ahead and ahesm Of rs. but not much
else. Ia the lulls % the cannouade
we could bear the thrashing of our
screw
Il shall make for the nearest ship
see. said Captain Wang. "and I'll
tell you when 20 let go at her. Never
mind the dial TIL cali out
As he spoke. n Japanese ship sud-
denly opened her battery of rapid-;ire
F guns Flash, fash fash They
seemed 90 spit red flame through the
smoke Ia front Of as
ITO your post. said Wang. with a
quietness 90 manner that I could not
but admire Il know you'l 10 vour
duty. Le added. "aN We can do D. 90
die like men.
I had scarcely reached my post
when the Suu-Yai bumped into the
boat ahead q Ms and scrapei heavily
along her side 4 solid shot Lai
pierced tile others boiler. she came
60 "a stanlstii. aad soon after sans. I
felt that We had veercl from our
straight course. but from tle quick
throb 81 the screw aad the noisy rush
OF the water outside. I knew that our
speed had not abatei
\ horrible explosion followed right
aheam. something heavy. like gun
or smoke-stach. feii on our deck I
knew by the sound that some boat
near MS had blown up The Sun-pai
rocked Violently aol veered again
Where we were heading now / had no
tdea Captain Wung was probably
trying o. keep clear 90 other boats
ON, the misery 81 being shut mp bee
low. with paulelonium loose outside
Then came sickening shock that
seem 60 stop AS short The steelwork
about nae vibrated. and frightful me-
talhc ripping Of wreuched iron seemed
70 pass from stem 90 stern. a shot had
struck us.
Ny two Chinese shrieked with TER.
ror, both sprang 10 gain the decS
Back / shouted. and seized one o.
them tue other slipped past me.
The boat rocked unsteadily. but tlt
screw was still going On the floor oI
the lookout Captain WING lay on Ia.
oack Tie was dead Thought. as
. saw blood about one ear Bur h,
stirred oad presently struggled o. Phi.
. feet
Above MS the iron dome had di-ap
3 peared, aud with it the funnel an,
most az the deck plating. stripped o..
/ 10y % single shot The next moment ,
percussion shell struck as forward
and storm Of smashed oak plankius
and twisted iron flew over our head.
as we squatted on the floor oi the uu
protected compartment. II must hav,
been the end of poor Lotze and ia,
stokers. for we never saw them again
, Apparently this shell did not burst til
j % had reached the after part OF III,
J deck. for great hole was torn on
S there clean down 10 the buukers
Steersman. wheel aad steering chain
were gone. One Of the steersman
legs was still in the debris below
We had changed our course again
! aud were heading toward the north
r west shore the bay \ warship Ia
/ ahead of Us
a BY the face Of Tau" exclaime
, Wing, still somewhat dszed "Hcln
I gone. and steersman. toor
70 "All but one of his legs. replied
' The rudder's swinging free.
. Pray 20 your God, them" erie
E Wung. We're going straight for tn
S Tschiyoda. Her guns Will open i
another second"
Z "Shall 1 shut off steam?" / shouted
- There was nothing Of the coward 4