Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-12-28
ESCAPED FROM PORT ARTHUR.
Report That Several Vessels Eluded Japa-
nese Blockade During Storm.

London. Dec 23.-The Daily Tele-
eight torpedo boat destroyers have es-
capped from Port Arthur, where, for the
last tWenty-four hours, he says, severe
snow storm has been raging.
Chefoo. Dee. 23.-No news was re-
ceived here from Port Arthur today.
Report Kept Secret.
ST. Petersburg, Dec. 23.-Tbe admiral
ty processes ignorance of the report print
ed by the London Daily Telegraph today,
in dispatch from Chefoo, that eight
Russian torpedo boat destroyers had es-
escaped from Port Arthur during severe
snow storm. If knowledge of their con-
templated escape existed here naturally it
would be carefully guarded for strategic
reasons until certain that they were clear.
There is no attempt, however, to disguise
the fact that confirmation Of the report
would be welcome intelligence.
Aid Baltic Fleet.
1t is quite possible that arrangements
were made for the destroyers with the
aid of collier, to flee southwark and
join the second Pacific squadron, to
which they would constitute powerful
reinforcement.
Toxic Is Silent.
Toxic, Dec. 23.-Nothing has been Civ
the Russian torpedo feet has escaped
from Port Arthur.
Extent of SevastopoPs Damage.
A report received from Vice Admiral
Togo at 10 o'clock last night says:
"A prisoner taken by our fleet, who is
considered to be reliable, reports that as
the result of our attack since December
- eight torpedoes struck the net of the
battleship Sevastopol and that at least
one took effect on its hull. This seems to
have occurred on the night of December
10 or early on the morning of December
is. The SeyastopoPs crew was seen to
be in a state of confusion, and hawser
from the shore was attached to the bat
tleship.
The torpedo which struck the hull of
the Sevastopol took effect on the port side
aft, damaging about eight feet along the
rivet lines.
"The Sevastopol is now headed toward
the outer part of the entrance to the
harbor, with its stern aground and its
gun ports amidships almost awash. The
ship is listing to starbOard and the side
lights in its lower deck are submerged
Trying to Pump Water Out.
'sThere is one torpedo boat to the star
board of the SevastOpol and one pumping
vessel to port, together with one vessel
resembling a mine layer, all of which are
busily engaged IN pumping, but It Will De
difficult to restore the seaworthiness of
the warship.
''On the night Of December 16 one of
our torpedoes struck the bow of Rus
sian torpedo boat destroyer and that YES
sci is now aground"
Another report from Admiral Togo re
ceived at II o'clock last night is as fol-
lows:
after personal observation outside
Port Arthur [ found the Sevastopol,
which was attacked by our torpedo flo
tillas, is now anchored in the shadows
about 400 yards from the shore of
Chengtao mountain. The Russians are
engaged in pumping, but the Sevastopol
is listing at least ten degrees, with its
bow slightly sunk. There can be no hope
of restoring the vessel to fighting trim,
considering the present condition of Port
Arthur, and [ judge that it has been
completely disabled. [ also observed that
the enemy's destroyer which was tor
pedoed by us has been destroyed"