New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-18
VIVID STORY OF BATTLE.
PETROP4VLOVSK,S LOSS.
The Conflict of April - as Seer
from Golden Hill.

Associated Press. believing that the japanese
would repeat the attempt to block the entrance
to Port Arthur with freshps Easter eve.
went from Iiao-Yang to Port Arthur week
ago yesterday. He says:
For four nights watched with the sentries on
Golden Hill Three nights passed quietly.
On Tuesday night. April II, Vice-AdmlraI
Makaroff went to sea with his entire squadron
including fourteen torpedo boats. The next
night, April 49, in the teeth Of gale. eight tor
pedo boats were sent out to reconnoitre. From
Golden Hill on which I standing, through
the blackness the searchlights of the fortlfca-
tions flashed over the fnIzy waters of the road
stead and far out to the hazy horizon.
At II o'clock I heard firing at sea and count
ed seven shots. but could nothing. At day
break 1 made out through the light haze TO the
southwark, about five miles from shore. six
torpedo boats strung out in line, all firing. In
the lead and outstripping the others was boat
heading at full speed directly for the entrance
of the harbor The last in line was beclouded
I'm steam and tagging. She had evidently been
hit 1t was difficult TO distinguish our boats
but finally through my glasses L saw that the
leader and the laggard were Russian and that
the four others were Japanese.
THE sTRAsHNIs GALLANT FIGHT.
The torpedo boat from which steaTp was es-
Gaping was firing viciously. The four centre
craft drew together, concentrating their IRE
upon her, but the crippled destroyer poured out
her fire and was successfully keeping off her
assailants.
The signal station flashed the news to the men
Of the batteries that the vessel was the
Strashni.
The UNEQUAL combat was observed with
breathless interest but the net drew close
around the doomed boat. The four japanese
vessels formed a semicircle and poured In a
deadly fire. The steam from the Strashni grew
denser, covering her like white pail Still she
fought like a desperately wounded animal
brought to bay.
Running straight for the adversary, barring
her way TO safety she passed the japanese and
fired at them.
At this stage Vice-Adnliral Makarof, who
had been observing the conflict through a tele-
scope. signaIled TO the cruiser Bayan, lying in
the inner harbor. 10 weigh anchor and go out to
the rescue
The japanese destroyers chung to the victim
like hounds in a chase They had become sepa-
rated. but again resumed close formation. Small
jets OF flame and smoke were squirting from the
light rapid nrers. varied by denser clouds, as
torpedoes discharged against the Strashni.
II was the end. The stricken boat fired a final
round. but it was like n volley over her own
grave for she disappeared beneath the waves,
only little cloud Of steam marking the place
where she went down.
THE BAYAN SAVES TORPEDO BOATS.
Satisfied with what they had accomplished.
the japanese torpedo boats turned and made off
at full speed. followed by the Bayan To their
support came six Of the enemy's cruisers Still
the Bayan went on. seemingly inviting certain
destruction She soon ported her helm to bring
a bTpaGgfda baa he foe which adj
vancing in line OF battle. She opened upon
them and then turned quickly and stood on into
the hail of the enemy's broadsdes. The Jap
anese steamed at a slight angle. enabling all
their guns to bear. and projectiles rained
around the Bayan, raising columns of water as
they burst but none struck home.
To the eastward suddenly appeared five more OF
our torpedo boats returning to the harbor under
forced draught. Two Of the japanese cruisers
were Immediately detached to cut them off. but
the Bayan, noticing the movement, checkmated
it by turning q hot fire upon them The move
ment was effective. The japanese cruisers
slowed down and the torpedo boats slipped
through into the harbor.
Meantime, IN accordance with Vice Admiral
Makaroh's order. the battleshps and cruisers In
the inner harbor slipped anchor. Majestically
the Petropavlovsk. flying the adniraTs hag
steamed through the entrance. On her appear
ance the Japanese cruisers turned and fed. The
admiral sgnalled the Bayan to return Then
stream of signal flags huttered out. Bravo
Bayan!'
SQUADRON PURSUES JAPANESE.
BY this time the entire Russian squadron was
in the outer hnrbor Besides the Petropavlovsk.
saw the battIeships Peresviet. Potava, Po-
beda and sevastopol. the cruisers Novik. Diana
and Askold and the torpedo boats The flags
announcing the admiraI's appreciation of the
Bayan were hauled down and replaced by an
other signal Immediately the torpedo boats
dashed ahead and the heavier ships began to
spread out
Seeing the flight OF the japanese cruisers the
Petropavlovsk opened fire with her great guns.
but the enemy was out of range and soon dis
appeared. Our squadron continued the chase
finally fading from view.
/ waited anxiously for its temperance. and IN
about an hour it came in sight. Far beyond it
the number Of points from which smoke arose
announced the presence of the enemy. Nearer
and nearer came the vessels, and at last made
out behind our squadron a fleet of fourteen, of
which six were battleships and the remainder
armored AMI unarmored cruisers.
Unable to get within effective range OF Vice
Admiral Makarofrs ships. the enemy stopped
eighteen versts from shore.
WARSHIPS LINE UP UNDER FORTS
Our squadron, with the Petropavlovsk leading.
arrived at the entrance TO the harbor and drew
up in line of battle. Another signal floated
from the flagship and the torpedo boats at once
proceeded through the entrance into the inner
harbor. Vice-Admiral Makaroff evidently
unwilling to risk his vulnerable craft to the
heavy projectes of the enemy's armored ships
1 watched the Petropavlovsk closely she
I'll Nh