Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1904-04-22

them off, but the Bayan, noticing the
movement, checkmated by turning a
hot fire on them. The movement was
effective. The Japanese cruisers
slowed down and the torpedo boats
slipped through into the harbor.
Meantime. in accordance with Vice
Admiral Makaroff's order. tho battlo-
ships and cruisers in the inner harbor
slipped anchor. Majestically the Pet.
ropavlovsk. flying the admiral FAC
steamed through the entrance on
her appearance the more formidable
enemy n Japanese cruisers turned
and fed The admiral signalled the
Bayan 10 return. Then a stream of
fari-colored signal flags fluttCrod ont
Bravo, Bayan'
by this time the entire Russian
squadron was in the outer harbor I'm
mediately tho torpedo boats dipped an.
chor and the heavier ships began TO-
spread out.
Seeing The fight OF the japanese
cruisers the Petropavlovsk opened IRE
with her great guns, but the enemy
was out Of range and soon dlsap-
peared Our squadron continued the
chase finally fading from view
81 waited anxiously for It's reap
poarance and in about an hour il came
In sight Nearer and nearer came The
vessels, and II last made out behind
our squadron a neet OF fourteen OF the
enemy, 81 which six were batuesi'p s
and the remainder armorcd anu uo-
armored cruisers.
Unable 10 gel within effective range
of Vice Admiral Makaroffs SHIPS, the
enemy stopped eighteen versts from
shore our squadron. with the Petro-
payloysk leading. arrived at the en-
france 10 the harbor and drew up in
Inc of battle
The PeUCpsvlovsk Sank
81 watched The Petropavlovsk close
iy as she steamed toward Electric
Gin All was quiet 1t was the hush
before a battle-the hush when every
nerve is strained TO get into impend
ing danger The Petropavlovsk was
almost withou, Roadway when sudden
ly saw her tremble She seemed 20
rise ont OF the water when a tremon.
dous explosion rent the air. then sec
ond and a third Fragments flew In
all directions and wreckage and meD
were mixed up in a terrible mass.
II was hardly able TO realize the
horror Of il when the ship began 20
list In a moment the sea seemed 10
open and the water rushed over her
The Petropaylovsk had disappeared
The floating woodwork ana the few
men struggling in the water were all
that was left 10 recall the splendid
fighting machine which "A few hours
before had sailed out OF the harbor
Sisnalman Pochkof who was slight
ly wounded was able 70 give re-
markably clear statement OF the dis.
aster He said
81 stood in the wheelhouse on the
bridge Of the Petropavlovsk, looking
up the signal book The admirals last
signal had been for the torpedo boats
TO enter the harbor.
Suddenly the ship shook violently
! heard a fearful explosion immedi-
another. ! rushed 10 the door. On
the bridge I saw an officer weltering IN
blood-it was our admiral Makaror
He lay face downward sprank to
him. grasped him by the shoulder and
attempted TO raise him
THE ship seemed 10 be falling
somewhere From all sides few frag-
ments. ! heard the deafening screech
and the frightful din The smoke rose
in dense clouds and the flames seemed
to leap toward the bridge, where was
standing beside the admiral. jumped
on the rail and was washed or. but
succeeded in grabbing something.
"On our ship was an old man with a
beautiful white beard, who had been
good 10 our men. He had a book in
his hand and seemed TO be writing,
perhaps sketching He was Vercst.
cbao-ip tho Oafpfarp