The Savannah morning news., 1904-03-21
IN FIERCE BATTLE
TORPEDO BOATS MET.

London, March 21.-A correspondent
of the Times with the Japanese forces,
by wireless telegraphy, via Wei Hal
Wei, under date of March 20, sends
over column of matter, which is most
ly a description of the torpedo fight
between the Russians and the Japa-
nese on March 8. He says that Ad-
miral Togo has been comparatively
passive, according to the latest adj
vices, and that Port Arthur has been
given a respite, although the cruisers
and torpedo boat destroyers have kept
a close blockade.
The correspondent says that Vice
Admiral Kamimura's bombardment of
Vladivostok was solely intended to
harass the Russians and to compel
the Russian cruisers to leave the har-
Dor. The vice admiral brought his
ships within range opposite the dead
point of the forts on the northeast en-
trance The Russians did not reply
because the Japanese vessels took up
positions beyond the arc of the train
ing of the guns.
Vice Admiral Kamimura, the corre-
spondent says, sailed south on March
II, after searching Amur bay. Since
Admiral Makaroff's arrival at Port
Arthur, he adds. the Russian defensive
tactics have been more active and their
torpedo boat destroyers more alert and
enterprising.
Describing the fight between the
Russian and the Japanese torpedo
boats. the correspondent confirms the
fierceness of the contest. The vessels
were so close that the Russians threw
charges of explosives onto the bridge
of one of the japanese torpedo boat
>1estroyers. There, however, failed to
detonate. All the vessels engaged were
more or less damaged. The japanese
| losses were six killed and eight wound
ed.
That the Russians were defeated IN
| spite of their superior numbers, is due
| to the better shooting of the japanese
| and the fact that the Russian vessels
were armed with 3-pounder guns.
while the armament of the japanese
ships was made up of 6-pounders.
In reference to the fight of three
hours which occurred later, the corre-
spondent says the Russians fought
| with desperation and the Japanese
| with confidence born of their past VIC
| tories One Russian commander was
killed early in the fight lieutenant
| then took command, only to fan, snot
in both legs. Then the command de-
volved upon the sub-lieutenant, VINO
also was killed after taken the wheel
| himself When the goXswain fell TINS
vessel was captured by the Japanese.
The other Russian vessels escaped.
:. on the japanese side one destroyer
was hit on the water line, two OF her
commandments were flooded and ner
o,;ick-firing ammunition was wetted.
This vessel retired from the action.
Her officers escaped narrowly from
q twelve-pound shot, which struck the
nIatform in front Of the bridge, Kill
mo one man and sweeping the bridge
with splinters. The same vessel re-
ceiyed a three-pound shot through the
hull. but the damage was repaired
within four days. ,o,
A Japanese lieutenant, who boarded
the Stereeuschtchi. said he had never
seen a more sickening sight. Thirty
bodies. terribly mutilated by sneA,
wera wing on deck. AS the Japanese
a approached, two Russian blue jackets
rushed from the coming tower, locat-
ed themselves in the cabin aft ana
refused 20 come out. The slokers
iumped overheard and were picked up.
THESE. with two wounded men, were
the only survivors of a crew Of fifty
ave. When the Stereguschtchi sank
the men who were locked in the cabin
sank with her.
The fight lasted nearly ar hour.
The weakness of the Russian torpedo
boat destroyer armament again proved
fatal. The japanese concentrated their
fire first on the Russians twelve
FOUNDER and put it out of action early
in the fight leaving her with only her
three-pounders against their own
twelve-pounders and six-pounders. The
Jananese had three killed and four
wounded
Describing the bombardment OF Port
Arthur the same day the correspond
ent asserts that more than 1l0 shells
fell IN the town. The effect OF the
great shells from the twelve-inch guns
must have been appalling. Outbreaks
Of fire were seen and the report Of
an explosion was heard which 1t rs
surmised occurred In one OF the maga-
zines OF the forts.