Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-08-19
THE LATE NAVAL ENGAGE
MENT

patch from Viceroy Alexieff, dated at
Vladivostok, August II, saying that the
cruisers Rossia and Gromoboi, ofthe Vlad-
ivostok squadron, returned to Vladivos-
tok August 16, and communicating the
following report made by Rear Admiral
Jessen, commander of the squadron
"At dawn on August IA the Rossia,
| Gromoboi and Rurik arrived AZ miles
from and parallel with Fusan and 80
miles from the northern lighthouse OF
Tsu Island. When to the westward l
saw several Japanese armored cruisers SIX
miles to the north travelling parallel with
our course. This squadron consisted OF
four vessels of Iwate type, and was put
ting on full speed. l took a course to
Ale northward with view to attaining
the open sea, but the enemy, who was
of superior speed, turned Immediately
and took the same course. Twas, there
fore, obliged to engage in battle, which
commenced at o'clock in the morning
with distance of 60 cables between the
two squadrons. CA cable length is 200
yards). In the straits to the south we
saw second.class cruiser of the Manila
type coming to join the enemy. AT
convient opportunity we rapidly
turned to the right, intending to ap-
proach the Korean coast, and by in
creasing our speed to II knots we seemed
to have an opportunity of succeeding,
but the enemy now observed our inten-
ton and directed his course toward us
for the purpose of hindering our design.
Hardly five minutes passed before the
Rurik left the ranks and signalled that
her steering gear was disabled. re-
piled, Steer with the engines, and con-
tinued on my former course. Seeing
that all of the japanese cruisers were
concentrating their fire on the Rurik, all
my subsequent maneuvering was exclu-
sively with the object of enabling the
Rurik to repair her damaged rudder' L
attracted 20 mycclf the euomy's FRO IN
order to cover the Rurik. (Almiral
Jessen was on the flagship Rossia.) AT
this time | saw two warships-one
second and the other third class cruis-
Grooming to join the enemy. The
Rurk hoisted the signal Cannot steer >
SolAe maneuvering in the front line gave
the Rurik a chance of going in the di-
reclion of the Korean gulf, and at 8
o clock the signal was hoisted Go east
The Rurik answered the signal snd took
the requisite course at full speed, as
could be seen from the waves from her
bows. Eventually the Rossia and the
Gromobol took a northerly course at
distance of AZ cables. The Rurik kept
course approximately southeast at a
distance OF three miles. The battle con-
tinued for two hours in this manner.
We suffered considerable damage. The
Rossia had three tunnels pierced, which
prevented her from keeping up good
steam, and three of her boilers were rem
dered useless. At $3.50 the Rurik began
to lag behind considerably, and agsin
turned her bows toward the shore, at the
same time fighting against the two
second-class cruisers which had joined
the enemy's squadron. The Rurik soon
afterwards began to get out OF sight.
Vice Admiral Kamimura, with four
armored cruisers, kept steadfastly engag-
ing us in such manner as to keep us
from assisting the Rurik. While the
Rurik continued fighting we continued
our efforts to attract the enemy farther
north, in the hope that the Rurik would
manage to dispose of her two compara-
lively weaker opponents, and that after
repairing the damage to her rudder she
would be able to reach VladivOstok in
dependently. Shortly before 10 O'Clock
the enemy's fire was the most terrific OF
the battle, but to our general astOnish-
ment the whole japanese squadron left
us, after the most deadly fight, which
had lasted five hours. The Eossa had
sustained IL holes at her water-line and
the Gromoboi had 6. Both cruisers lost
more than half their officers, and the
losses among the men totaled 20 per
cent 1t appeared impossible TO renew
the battle or to return to the RuriK,
which was now 80 miles to the south.
A dispatch from Shangai says;
NJ. Odagira, the japanese consul gen,
eral. has notified the Taotai OF Shanghai
that japanese feet is coming to SEIZE
the Russian cruiser Askold and the
Russian tOrpe.doboat destroyer Grozovoi'
The chief engineer of the customs de-
partment reports that the Russian yes'
sells are not seaworthy. Upon the rec
ommendatiOn OF the chief of the customs,
the Taotai of Shanghai will allow the
Russian cruiser Askold aud the Russian
torpedo boat destroyer Grozovoi to re
main in port until August 20, when on'
davis notice to leave or disarm will b'
given them. The arrival of Chimes
men of war is expected. The repair
, being made by the Russians on th,
GroSoyoi will be completed in about II
days. 1t is uncertain when the repair
TO the Askold will be finished. Their
: is no uneasiness there, although 10
situation is thought to be acute In
foreign consuls are determined to pre-
serve the neutrality of the port.
Sc In battle at Port Arthur on Angus
4, IA and Is and resumed August IL IN