Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-07-26

"Other vessels engaged, injuries OF
minor Importance.
The above is account CLEANED from
conversations with officers engaged, but
may contain minor inaccuracies.
During the engagement guns were
turned on the Monocacy, which was out
of the line of fire. She was struck (no
casualties) and was forced 10 withdraw
up the river.
Very respectfully.
LOUIS KEMPFF.
Rear Admiral L. S. Navy.
ITO Secretary of Navy, Washington,
Following is the report of the action
made by Commander Wise o. the
Monocacy. to Rear Admiral Kempff:
II. 5. S. Nonocacy, Tong Ku, China.
July Il.
Sir have the honor to report upon
the occurrences since Yesterday. when !
attended a meeting of officers at 6 +. NJ,
on boaru the BUrbone | was shown thu
protocol and ultimatum as to the Taku
forts. The signatures to the documents
Were autographs and as yours WAS not
appended, ! informed the senior officer
that he would have to leave the Monoc-
acy out OF the plans and places for yes
sells of the attacking forces.
The first gun was fired at 12.i5 and
with simultaneous discharge that fol-
lowed two of the shots passed over the
MonocaCy. although she was out of the
line of fire between the forts and vessels
ATTACKING.
The Nus ulu not lttNe ncf perrin winch
YVES a short distance from mine. until
100. and the Japanese did not leave here
during the bombardment.
The fire was well sustained on both
sides and although shell continued at in
tervals to pass near me or burst short
or beyond, | attributed 1t to wild firing
by the forts. About go. | was standing
on TOP of the pilot house by the GatiinS
| had mounted there when | heard a
shen approaching and Immediately
crash. The second cutter hanging at her
davits few feet below and behind me,
had been struck by a shell. II entered
her stern. tore out the bottom and rang
| ing diagorally across the ship, after fall
| of the steam launch. smashins port fore
castle ladder and passed through the
| ships side in which it left a clear-cut
| oval feet by 10 inches. There were
many men on the forward man deck and
| il must have gone as close to some of
| them as it did to me. Ii fortunately
missed the launch's davit. as that would
| have caused it to explode.
1T was difficult to make out how the
allies were faring. but they We're evident
| ly closing in. as after a. NJ. discharges
| from guns like Cuttings or Maxims were
heard At there was tremendous eN-
| plosion and mass of flame which At
| tributed to a ma gaZine in one of the
forts.
| Edwards O'Clock the bursting %
| shell in my near vicinity increased 10
such an extent that it occurred to me
! that the forts might be directing some of
| their fire the railroad station. as in
| this fiat country il was prominent mark
and number of japanese and RUSSIAN
| troops were enCamped around it, In sucn
case the Monocacy would be in consider
| able danger from a fire which | had hith-
erto considered bad shooting. Acting upon
| the thought. | at once cast OIL Nerythfng-
! | steamed away from the bank and went
| two miles up the river, anchorinS in the
| first bend. This move WAS made at 40
| and at $50 the fire slaclSening and "A jap
| anese flag floating over one OF the forts,
| | returned to my berth.
Il was able to render the following as
| sstance: First, a party of 81 ladies' ana
| children. refugees from the mission at
| Taku. who had fled hurriediy on notitica-
| ton of the bombardment. They came
| aboard last night at +. NJ, and are still
| S. Barfleur who had come down from
| Tien Tsin too late to get to any English
ship. AS | was coming down river at +
A. NJ | met an English torpedo boat tow
ing a Chinese boat prize. ] had no small
boat to make a landing, 50 | sent this
launch to run her line ashore, for which
| thanks have been returned l have taken
on board and had surgical attendance for
the following: A Japanese soldier with
gunshot wound. a Chinese coolie found
close to the ship with arm torn off by
| fragment of shell. a Russian soldier with
| wound in the hand.
| This place is deserted by every one:
| no trains. no Geographic communication
| on shore. but | had phone from Mi.
| PettengiIl. who reports all quiet since
| Il know nothing of the fight except that
| the forts were taken. | feel natura!
regret, shared no doubt, by the officers,
that duty and orders prevented the old
| Nonocacy from giving her ancient
smoothbores last chance:
| Very respectfully,
| ''F NJ WISE
Commander L. S. N, commanding.