The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-04-18

ance and in about an hour it came in
sight. Far beyond it, the number of
points from which smoke appeared
announced the presence of the enemy.
Nearer and nearer came the yes
sells and at last Immediately behind
our squadron, a fleet of fourteen, of
which six were battleships and the re-
mainder armored and unarmored
cruisers. Unable to get within effective
range of Vice Admiral Makaroff's
ships the enemy stopped eight cen
Versts from shore
Our squadron, with the Petropav-
lovsk leading, arrived at the enterance
to the harbor and drew up in line of
battle. Another signal was floated from
the flagship and the torpedo boats pro-
ceeded through the entrance into the
inner harbor. Vice Admiral Makaroff
was evidently unwilling to risk his
vulnerable craft to the heavy pro-
jectiles of the enemys armored ships.
Loss of the PetrOpaNlOvsk.
I watched the Petropavlovsk closely
as she steamed toward Electric Cliff.
The froWning marine monster, whose
guns were ever turning towards the
enemy, was prepared to send huge
messengers of death against them. All
was quiet. 1t was the hush before a
battle-the hush when every nerve is
strained to get into impending danger.
L looked for the Japanese ships, but
they were without movement save
that caused by the heaving sea.
My glance returned to our squadron.
The Petropavlovsk was almost without
headway, when suddenly 1 saw her
tremble. She seemed to rise out of
the water, tremendous explosion rent
the air, then a second and then a
third. Fragments flew in all direc-
tions and wreckage and men were
mixed UP into terrible mass.
l was hardly able to realize the hor-
ror of it when the ship began to list
In moment the sea seemed to open
and the water rushed over her. The
Petropavlovsk had disappeared. The
floating woodwork and the few men
struggling in the water We're all that
was left to recall the splendid fighting
machine Which a few hours before had
sailed out of the harbor.
The sa1%e shock experienced by the
observers on Golden Hill paralyzed
for a moment the men on the ships,
but when it. passed torpedo boats and
small boats FASTENED to the rescue of
the survivors.
story of a Survivor.
Eager. to ascertain what had oc-
CURED on board the sunken ship, 1
hastened to a landing, where a small
remnant of the gallant crew were be-
ing put ashore and conveyed to a hos
rital. Signalman Bochkoff, who was
slightly wounded, was able to give me a
remarkably clear statement of the dis
aster. He said:
I'VE were returning to the harbor,
the Petropavlovsk leading. Some of our
cruisers, which had remained in the
harbor, came out and steamed toward
the enemy, firing sixteen shots
at him with their bow guns. They
bered fourteen heavy ships, nearly
all armored while ours We're nine.
Against their armored cruisers we had
only the Bayan. l stood in the wheel
house on the~bridge of the Petropav-t
lavsk looking up the signal book. The
AdmiraTs last signal had been for the
torpedo boats to enter the harbor.
''The Petropavlovsk slowed speed
and almost stood still. Suddenly the
ship shook violently. I heard fear
full explosion, Immediately followed by
another and then another. They SEEM
ed to be directly under the bridge. l
rushed to the door of the wheelhouse,
where l met an officer, probably
helmsman. l could not pass him, and
/ sprang to the window and jumped
out. The ship was listing, and L fear
over.
Tried to Save MaI<arOff.
"On the bridge l saw an officer well
tering in blood-it was our Admiral
-Makaroff. He lay face downward. 1
sprang to him, grasped him by the
shoulder and attempted to raise him.
'"The ship seemed to be falling sorle-
where. l heard the deafening screech
and the frightful din of escaping
steam. The smoke rose in dense clouds
and flames seemed to leap toward the
bridge where L was standing beside
the Admiral. l jumped on the ran
and was washed off, but succeeded in
grabbing something. l was sucked
down. l then remember falling masts
and then nothing m2Sa.
"On our ship was an old man with
a beautiful white beard who had been
good to our men. He had a book IN
his hand and seemed to be writing,
perhaps sketching. He was Verest-
chagin, the painter"
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