Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-12-20
ADMIRAL TOGO
Reports on maneuvers OF
Torpedo fIotiIIas.
Casualties Numerous in Harbor
Fight at Port Arthur.
Details Of Attack on Russian Turret'
ship Sevastopol.

Toxic Dec. 1911 A. M.)-Vice Ad-
mira, Togos report upon the torpedo
onerations against the Russian turret-
ship Sevastopol was received, To-Day. Il
says:
.On the night of Dec. IA our torpe-
do flotillas made gallant ana brave
series Of attacks against the RUSSIAN
,urretship Sevastopol.
"The f1otillas arrived outside the en-
trance to Port Arthur about midnight
on that date. The leading fotilia, under
Commander Unchida and special tor
pedo boat partly for attack ana partly
to recornoitre, approached the SeVasto-
pol at l o'clock and under the search
lights and fire Of thu enemy's ships
and shore batteries they attacked her.
"A shell struck Commander Mita-
nna,ra's torpedo boat and four shots hit
Commander Nakamuta's boat, wound
ing three sailors.
subsequently our 1iot1llas attacked
acting independently.
"Friotilla A, Commander kasama- ad-
vanced first, for the purpose of Destroy
ing the defenceS protecting the Sevas-
topol and also to draw and direct the
fire under the enemy's searchlights.
FlotiIla 3, Commander Jinguji. fiotilla
C. Commander Otaki, tlotilla D, Com
mander Zeki, and f1Otila E, Comman-
der Kawase, approached successfully
and brayely continued the attack from
9 until 4 o'clock in the morning.
"Ccmmander Otaki's flOtila APP
preached the closest and delivered the
most vigorous attack.
While retreatins one torpedo boat
received several shots simultaneously.
her commander, Lieutenant NakahOri,
and five others being killed. The boat
lost her freedom of motion and Lieuten-
ant Nakahara's boat went to the res
cue and despite the heavy fire, endeav-
ored to save her While towing the boat
| the enemys shells severed the haWSer.
| Lieutenant Nakaharas boat was also
hit and one man killed. Subsequently
several shells hit and almost disabled
Lieutenant NakaharaS boat, forcing
him to abandon his cOmrade ship. which
was sinking. Lieut.. Nakakara. however
steamed back, rescued the crew and
| abandoned the torpedo boat to her fate
| Commander KaWaSe'S boat. belong
ing to the same flotilla. was struck by
shell, killing one of the crew and
wounding Lieutenant Takahashi and
| two sailors.
Lieut.. Shono's boat was hit and one
Of the crew killed and five wounded
The boat was temporarily disabled but
his comrade ships. with Lieuts. Watae.
abe and Mort commanding protected
| her and rescued her. All the other
boats bravely facing the enemy's fir5
succeeding in delivering attacks with
out suffering any damage.
The result of their attacks Is not
definitely known, although it is evil
dent that numerous torpedoes took eff
feet.
THE watchtOwer Reporting on the
following morning said that the Sevas-
tOpol mad lowered at The bows cOnsid-
erably, facing toward the south south
east. Her condition is such that she
does no: change her position in the cur
rent. She is anchored close in the shore
in the shallow water.
1T is a source of satisfaction that
our torpedo attacks were delivered
without the least confusion. Each boat
rendered material assistance to its
comrades. The skilful manoeuvring and
bravery Of the officers and men in
spires me with a deep feeling of salts
faction and confidence"