New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-22
JESZEN'S BRAVE FIGHT.
Dctai!s Of the 4ctton or Ts& Island
on august II.

vladil ostok. Aug. 21.-The following addi-
tionaI details of the fight off Tsu Island, be-
tween the Russian V!adivostok squadron and
Eice-AdmiraI Kamimura's vessels are supplied
by the Russian correspondent of The Associ-
ated Press:
The cruisers Rossia and Gromoboi, two of the
survivors of our brave squadron, are again in
this herbor after the most desperate battle of
modern naval warfare. Half OF the officers
md 40 ger cent of the men were killed or
wounded in the unequal fight. The gallant Ru-
rik WAS lost, and the Rossia and GromoDol pc
came almost helpless cripples, but there is grim
satisfaction in knowing that they carried out
their orders nghting so as TO weaken AdlliisN
Kamimuras squadron, with the object OF al
lowing the Port Arthur squadron To force the
passage of the Corean Straits, which had hith-
erfo been impossible.
The correspondent mentions many details Of
the battle which have already been covered in
DISPATCHES and says that there others which
Tor reasons that obvious to him he cannot
seu but that he is enabled to give the following
account the authority OF Rear Admiral
Jeszen ana other surviving officers of the squad
1on many OF whom now IN the hospital at
VIadivostok ''tenderly nursed partly by the
same devoted force of surgeons and attendants
who worked over them all day long under the
murderous fire OF the enemy:
Rear Admiral Jeszen hoisted his flag on the
oaossia III o'clock the morning of August
ID and The squadron steamed out in accordance
Wittsoeft, commander Of the Port Arthur
squadron. The purpose OF the Nladirostok
f9usA GA TS - N-s oI- - -, [-a,' &c
so as TO clear the passage of the C3rean Gun
Tor Admiral Wittsoeft, whose vessels, 1t was
presumed. had been damaged and weakened III
Their fight with Vice Admiral Togo
The japanese feet was first sighted at 400 on
the morning of August Il in latitude o5.S and
longitude 103. 1t barely daylight when the
Russians observed by the smoke on the horizon
four japanese vessels steaming in column TO the
northwest These vessels came up rapidly and
IN he frst-ctSSs cruisers of which
Russians identified the Iwate and the Azunla-
IL possible would have got them dead
20 :ne north and then run 10 the southwark 10
5cin forces with the Port Arthur squadron,
avoiding q fight at that particular time. but the
superior speed of the enemy prevented this:
They edged Us toward the Japanese shore, and
seeing that battle inevitable and that
under any circumstances this was part of our
mission, we turned in the hope of coming IN
close quarters and damaging the enemy much
. possible; but the Japanese ships were never
speeder and they chose TO make It long
range fight. They had superior artillery and
were better protected especially with regard
10 their steering gear.
The respective strength of the squadrons
Cording TO the standard OF naval coefficients.
was as 20 Russian to 100 Japanese
The battle began at D o'clock in the morning
al range Of six miles. The Russians were
steaming TO force the japanese line, when
a shell struck the stern of the Rurik and irrep
arably damaged her rudder. She hoisted sig
nal this effect, and Admiral Jeszen replied Icy
signalling, Steer by propellers' But the DAM
age included one of the screws, and the Rurik
and concentrated their fire the crippled |
cruiser. allowing Admiral Jeszen TO proceed.
Admiral Jeszen, on the Rossia, seeing the
Rurik in difficulty. swung around followed by
the Gromoboi, and threw mis- better armored
vessel between the Japanese and the Rurik |
taking the full force of the japanese big gun
fire. while the Ruriks crew worked desperately, |
but hopelessly, TO repair the steering gear.
In the mean time wireless messages were |
humming in the air calling up Japanese REIN |
forcements. Three smoke plumes appeared 10 |
the westward and they proved to be from two |
proved 10 be the Tokiwa, and from vessel Of |
the Nitaka type. These vessels manaeuvred so !
as TO get the range Of the crippled Russian |
cruiser, putting her between them ana the ire |
OF her heavier escorts.
The battle continued until o'clock in the |
morning. The Rossia suffered heavily Her |
guns were largely unprotected. and her crews |
were killed at their stations, while the guns |
themselves were disabled.
The Gromoboi. which was better protected |
had no heavy guns and was put out of action |
The Japanese perSstently refused TO close in. |
but lay on, pounding with their heavy guns
Terrible havoc was caused by the terrific burst |
sng Of the charges OF the Japanese shells prob |
sbiy 81 tne new shlmose powder, which wrecked |
hha shattered everything wherever they landed. |
our hre was steady and accurate, but only |
the larger guns were available
The Rurik signalled that her repairs had been |
completed. and Admiral JesZen sienalIad 70 her |
10 proceed TO Vladivostok
Admiral Jeszen then attempted 10 draw off !
the japanese so as TO allow the Rurik a chance
TO escape. but he succeeded only partially The !
-FOUR hig Japanese cruisers attached themselves |
NO.
parallel course. but never nearer than three |
ana three-quarter miles Admiral Jeszen drew
Oh 10 the northwest while the three s1na Ter |
cruisers hung on the TANKS of the crinnlAd |
ft1rik, which kept up the fight until she and |
heI enemies were lost the horizon
Ire 1agship continued the battle with The four !
hlGnorclads until 10 o'clock when the Jananeea
vessels suddenly ceased fighting and turned and |
steamed st greatly increased speed in the di- |
rection OF Japan. "a '''V VI
IL was impossible for us to follow them. The |
i.ossla s iotr tunnels We're badly damaged, re-
cucing her draught and lowering her snead
while many Of the smaller steam conpentiars
were cut by the Japanese shells making II 5ia;
cult TO ascertain the real extent OF the injuries
sustained. '-'0 injuries
Both the Rossa and the Gromoboi were Iaal,
Ing badly The former had been hit In the b1Ii
eleven times. while the latter had sig holes ON
the wateriine. Every wave broke through tha
smell holes which the crews covered as best thew
.ou!o with COLLISION mats, stopping them on the
inside ~ mo
The Two cruisers made the best of the way RI
Fladivostok. where they arrived on the evening
Of August Is, without having sighted the Rurik
The Russian casualties were terrible The
surgeons who had worked with heroic bravery
under IRE throughout the battle continued their
work until the vessels arrived in port going OIL |
most without food and sleep.
CGricusiy enough not mechanic on either !
vessel was injured. the heaviest losses being
among the ammunition handlers.
The details OF the casualties are: On the
Rossia-kiiled. / officer and Al men: wound |
%. officers and 169 men. On the Gromoboi-
Killed, . officers and - men; wounded 3 Off !
GERS and 1913 men.