Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-03-28
YANKEE SAILORS STORY.
Went on Board Variag to Aid the
Wounded.

New York. March 21.-The letter
that follows was received in New York.
today. 1t was written by IL Yankee
sailor on board the United States ship
Vicksburg, which WAS in ChemulpO
the war took place, when the Nariag
and the CoreetZ behaved so calamity.
The letter is at once ingenious and
accurate. Mckenzie proves that the
Nicksburg. with the other foreign ships
in the harbor. lent every aid to the
wounded Russians. The letter is accu-
rate. because, well trained. Mckenzie
gives the minute of every event.
Here is the letter:
II. S. S. Vicksburg. Chemulpo, COrea,
FEB. 10. 1904.
Il take the pleasure of writing you a
few items in regard to the first engage
ment in the Russian Japanese war.
The following:
FEB. AT 11.45 p. NJ. the Japanese
cruiser Chiyoda went out of port show
ing no lights.
Feb. S-The Russian cruiser CoreetZ
left port. At T. NJ. Il large Japanese
fleet was sighted. | could make out
the following vessels from our bridge
ono large battlcship four cruisers, eight
torpedo boats and three troOpshps. At
4.3;. l.. NJ. two cruisers and four torpe-
do beats escorted the three troopships
into port AMI anchored on our port side.
Teh remainder of the fleet lay under
cover Of Yo Dolimi island. The Corectz
came UP into<port again and anchored
astern of the Nari5g
Feb. 9-At Los \. NJ, the Japanese
torpedo boats got under way and stood
out of the harbor. At 6.25 A. NJ. the
remaining Japanese ships got under
way and stood out of the harbor toward
Yo Dolimi island. At So A. NJ, the
Japanese police came aboard of us and
gave US notice of war being declared
between Russia and Japan. At $50 A.
NJ, the NariaG and Coreetz We're busily
engaged in clearing ship for action. At
11.25 A. NJ, the Nariag and Coreetz got
under way and stood toward the Jap
anese fieect
AT 11.55 A. NJ. the first shot was
fired from the Japanese battleship that
was under cover of 70 DomIimi island
The COreeetZ returned the fire ut once
The general engagement now COM
minced.
AT 1e.1J p. NJ. the Russian ships
headed to the eastward. The japanese
sent in heavy fire on the enemy which
was returned at once by both Russians
i'll good shape. But the guns on the
Nariag were too small to fight at such
Il great range. The JapS used their big
guns on them both with good effect
and very soon had them retreating.
The Nariag kept up a constant fire all
the while. firing broadside after broad
side. The Japs kept under cover of Yo
Dolimi island and used their big guns.
AT 1920 7. NJ. the japanese battle
snip fired Finch shell intoth Vari-
az, which entered her port quarter, do
ing great damage to her cabin and
cruising fire in her.
A lo-inch shell struck her on the
port side abreast Of her boilers. entered
her and disabled one boiler. scalding a
number of her firemen.
Another shell carried away the en-
tire starboard side of her bridge. kill
ing the executive officer and quarter
master at the wheel and woundinr 2
number Of the deck hands near it.
Another large shell struck one of
her 3-inch guns, dismounting it and
Killing the entire guns crew. A she'll
of unknown size burst over her main
fighting top. wounding one man. Ear
third smoke stack was also shot away
by a large she'll
AT 1920 the Russian ships headed 70