Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-22
STORIES OF SURVIVORS
RUSSIANS TELL OF THE FIGHT OF
AUGUST IA.
Battered Appearance Of Cruisers at
Vladtvostok-Tales Told
Of Heroism.

vLADIvOSTOK, August q delayed IN
transmission Capt Berlinskt, who was
wounded in the battle with the Japanese
squadron, August IA. was buried last Wed
nesday with most impressive military hon
ors Nearly all the inhabitants Of the
town attended the funeral. Most Of the
wounded officers now in the hospital are
expected to get well, and Of the wounded
men, the recovery Of 312 is now assured.
Vice Admiral Skrydloff has visited the
hospital, complimented the survivors and
distributed among them crosses OF st.
George.
The death Of Lieut.. Brash of the cruiser
Gromoboi is reported to have been particu-
larly tragic. He was hurled from the bridge
of the cruiser by the explosion OF SHELL
pulled himself together and continued TO
issue orders and encourage the men until
he was removed between docks man
seriously wounded by the same shell con-
tinued doing his duty and did not report TO
the surgeons for treatment until the next
day.
The Cruisers Batterde.
The Gromoboi and the Rossia present
battered appearance. Their smokestacks
show great rents. while the masts. bridges
and ventilators look like sleeves and there
are marks of battle everywhere. Guns are
dismantled, boats shattered and there are
enormous holes In the cruisers huils
through which a man could easily pass.
Many of the cabins were completely wreck
Sd.
Some of the Japanese shells performed
queer actions On the Rossia, a Shell burst
in clothes cupboard. Garments therein
were torn to shreds, but mirror was not
scratched Photographs and Snlck-knacks
on a writing table nearby We're not ols-
turbed In another part .of the cruiser
the walls were blackened by the smoke or
fierce fire. in which eight men were burned
alive yet an almanac on the wall was not
even scorched: Aboard the GIotaonoi i
shell entered the ward room and wrecRed
the furniture, but a parrots cage was ah-
touched. A..
All the officers are full Of praise for the
GOODNESS and bravery of the men VINO died
in the battle without murmur. Corradcs
took their places without awaiting orders.
1t was deadly work on the upper oeck'
where the gunners were without prolectloh
and shells striking burst into thouSanu
fragments killing and wounding men 9nlii
the beck became veritable shauiples-
strewn with dead and dying ana sllppery
with blood Not single gunner projected
by easements lost his life. The value OF
protective armor was demonstrated wheh-
ever projectiles struck the armored por-
ton of the vessels.
Many Deeds Of Heroisn.
There were many deeds of heroism during
the ve-hour battle, but the greatest praise
of all belongs to Capt. Dabich or the 1ro-
nohoi who remained at his post on the
bridge from the beginning to the END OF the
fight, when, wounded in the back he per-
sisted In resuming command directly the
wound had been dressed, but yleloins "
the entreaties of his officers he sought smell
tor in the coming tower. No sooner had
he entered than a shell struck the 1ooo Oh
the tower. glancing upward to the over
hanging cover and entered through inc
Jx,1rt lion fnnn n
termasters wounding two lieutenants ana
again woundng Capt. Dabich in the heao
and breast. Not single man In the tower
escaped. There being no one to steer the
shin the captain severely wounded though
he was dragged himself to the wheel ana
managed it until another quartermaSter
had been summoned.
Subsequently learning that the men were
depressed by the fact that he had been
wounded a second time. the captain insist
ed. after the second dressing, on being
supported along the decks to the casemates'
encoura ging the sailors, Saylng
Il am alive, brothers. Go on smashing
the Japanese.
VIXEN Can't Andreieff of the Rossia as
certaned that only three out or her tWen-
ty big guns could be fired, he cooiiy gave
orders to get explosives in readiness 10
sink the ship. Capt. AndreleH Is usualy
nervous but in battle he was cool as
cucumber When not giving orders ne was
cheerfully conversing Win the suhieis a'
cant Rerlinski was killed by splinter
which struck him on the head at the outset
of the fight.
A Brave Deed.
Lieut. Molas also distinguished himself
shell entered the compartment where he
was directing the fire and set fire to the
deck. on which number of charges were
standing about. Then came an elght-inch
shell. which scattered the charges and
caused terrific explosion, which threw the
men in every direction and hurled Lieut.
Molas to the upper deck. Fortunately he
fell on a heap of dead bodies and escaped
with severe bruises.
Dense fire and smoke were then pouring
out of the compartment, but Lieut.. Molas
did not hesitate for moment. Calling Tor
volunteers, he plunged headlong into the
flaming compartment and succeeded IN put
ting out the fire.
Another officer followed by number of
sailors, brought a hose and played water
upon Lieut. Molas and his men while they
were removing the unexploded charges, re-
gardlesy of the fact that they might nave
exploded at any minute in their hands.
Only one of the dead was brought back
Capt. Berlinski of the Rossia. His remains
lay In a coffin near an ikon of the Saviour,
the glass frame of which was smashed; the
image however escaped. All the others
| who were killed were buried at sea, fare
we'll salute being fired as the bodies were
| slid over the ships side.
The seamen of the ROssia and Gromoboi
who survived are cheerful. They responded
| to the greetings of Vice Admiral Skyrdloff
with joyful hurrahs.
| On board the Rurik were "a officers a
priest, 81 petty officers and 100 men
| The wife and daughter of Capt Trouson
| and the wives of Engineers Evanoff. Sar-
| gen and Soultokh, who are here, are half
| crazed with grief and despair.