Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-22
Sends Report Of fPetropavlovsk
Disaster to Gear.
CREWS RETAIN MORALE
BEMOANS THE ILL SUCCESS OE
THE PACIFIC FLEET.
Survivor of the Explosion Declares
There Were Four Reports-New
Yorkers Offer Loan.

viceroy AleXieff's report to the emperor
concerning the Petropavlovsk disaster and
the torpedo boat engagement which pre-
ceded 1t ian abstra 1t Of which was given in
Associated Press dispatches yesterday
reads follows:
Il respectfully report to your majesty
that on April II the whole effective squad
ron at Port Arthur sailed out six miles to
the southwark to maneuver, and toward
evening returned to port. On April II a
fiotilla of eight torpedo boat destroyers
went out to inspect the islands, having re-
ceived orders to attack the enemy should
he be encountered in the course of the night.
lowing TO the darkness and a heavy rain
three of the destroyers became separated
from the fotilla, two of which returned to
Port Arthur at dawn. The third, however,
the Strashni having, according to the evil
dence of her seamen, encountered several
Japanese destroyers. took them In the dark
ness for Russian ships, and, giving the sig
nal of recognition Joined them at dawn
She was recognized by the enemy, and there
was fight at close quarters, in which her
most of her crew were killed. Maleiff, her
lieutenant, although wounded, continued
firing on the enemy.
Cruiser Bayan's Work.
"At dawn on April 10 the cruiser Bayan
went out. preceded by destroyers, and hur-
ried to the rescue. About sixteen miles
from Port Arthur the Bayan saw the
destroyer Strashni engaged with four Jap
anese destroyers. Shortly afterward an
explosion occurred and the Strashni sank.
Driving off the enemys destroyers by her
hre, the Bayan approached the scene of the
Tight, lowered her boats and had time to
save the remnant of the destroyers crew
Unfortunately only five men were SWIM
ming. Their lives We're saved.
"The cruiser was obliged to fight on her
starboard side with six Japanese cruisers
which came up. Having picked up her
boats, the Bayan regained the harbor, suf
fering no damage or loss, although covered
with fragments of shells.
THE cruiser Diana and five destrOyerS
FASTENED to her succor and al the same
time the other cruisers the battle ships
Petropavlovsk and Poltava, and some de-
stroyers came out from the roadstead and
the other battle ships left the harbor. In
column formation, with the Bayan at the
head and the destroyers on the flank, Vice
Admiral Makaroff proceeded to the scene
OF the Strashnis hight, whittier more jap
anese destroyers and cruisers were ap-
preaching. After a short fusillade at fifty
cable lengths distance 10000 YARDS the
ships drew off
Positions of Squadron.
"a squadron of nine Japanese battle ships
appeared at $40 am. and our ships retired
toward Port Arthur. In the roadstead
they were rejoined by the battle ships Po-
bieda- Peresviet and Sevastopol, which were
coming out through the channel. The
squadron was drawn up in the following
order: Askold. Bayan. Diana, Petropa
vlovsk, Peresviet Pobieda, Novik five de-
stroyers and two torpedo cruisers.
"They turned toward the left, but when
approaching the mouth of the channel the
destroyers were sgnaled to return to the
harbor and the cruisers to proceed. Ma
neuverirg with the Petropavlovsk at their
10 ,I.A., ,1.l 49, 0.t L.
ing toward the enemy on their right.
"At 9:43 am. an explosion occurred at the
right side Of tho Petropavlovsk. then a sec
ond and more violent explosion under her
bridge. thick column of greensh-yellow
smoke was seen to rise from the battle ship,
her mast, funnel, bridge and turret were
thrown UP and the battle ship keeled over
on her starboard side. Her poop arose
from the water, showing her screw working
In the air. The Petropavlovsk was sur
rounded by flames, and in two minutes sank
bow first.
Some of her crew escaped. The cruiser
Gaydamak, which was cable length away,
lowered boats and succeeded in rescuing
Grand Duke Cyril and forty-sevei. seamen.
The destroyers and boats from the Poltava
and Askold also picked up some of the Pc
tropavlovsk's crew.
Number Saved.
Altogether seven officers and seventy
three men were saved. The Poltava, which
was following the Petropavlovsk two cable
lengths astern, stopped her engines and re-
manned on the scene of the disaster.
"At a signal from Rear Admiral Ouk-
tomsky the other warships made for the
entrance OF the harbor, maneuvering to-
ward the Peresviet In line. A mine ex-
plcded under the starboard side of the
Pobieda. She listed. but proceeded and
entered the harbor with all the other ships
astern of her. The enemy remained in
sight until 3 o'clock. and then disappeared.
"The night preceding the sortie of the
squadron, lights and the outlines of ships
were seen in the distance from the road
stead, and the commander of the fleet kept
watch in person until dawn from the
cruiser Diana. stationed In the outer road
stead He left her at 4 O'Clock In the
morning.
an concluding, I take the liberty to an
ncunce respectfully that despite the Ill
success which has attended the Pacific feet,
the crews of the ships retain their morale
and are ready to perform all duties required
of them. The gracious words of your maj
esty addressed to the seamen at this pain
ful hour of trial serve as a consolation and
a support to all the force in their efforts to
overcome the enemy, to the glory of their
beloved sovereign and their country"
Floating Mines Discovered.
ITEM TSIN, April 22.-Floating mines
have been seen off the Shan Tung promont-
ory. in the much-used fairway followed by
vessels TO and from Shanghai and Chefoo
md Tien Tsin and other northern ports
This is extremely dangerous to shipping
and probably will cause an increase In ma
rine insurance.
Says There Were Four Explosions.
ST. PETERSBURG April 22, 4:3s pm
Lieut.. Jenish, one OF the survivors of ths
Petropavlovsk disaster in a telegram to his
mother, says:
IT was In the ward room when the ex-
plosion occurred There were altogether
four explosions The battle ship sank in q
minute and a half. 1 escaped without 9
scratch and am now shore duty. n
charge of the battery at the electric search
light plant, under Lieut.. Gen. Stoessel."
Vice Admiral Skrydloff goes to Sebastopo
pext Wednesday, and thence direct to Por
Arthur
Bombardment Not Confirmed.
ST. PETERSBURG, April %. ABS pm
The Associated Press is authorized to an
nounce that the government at this hou