The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1904-04-22

1I6SS CORRESPONDENCE, DSllCNll6 Anehb
the Japanese would repeat the attempt
to block the entrance to Port Arthur
with fireships on Easter eve, went
from Liaoyang to Port Arthur a week
ago yesterday. This is his story of
the recent battle:
For four nights 1 watched with the
sentries on Golden Hill. Three nights
passed quietly Tuesday night, April
IL, Vice Admiral Makaron took to sea
with his entire squadron, including IA
torpedo boats. The next night, April
49, in the teeth OF gale, eight tor
pedo boats were sent out to recon-
hotter From Golden Hill, on which l
was standing, through the blackness
the searchlights of the fertilization
flashed over the inky waters of the
roadsted and far out to the hazy hOri-
zon.
AT II o'clock heard firing at sea
and counted seven shots, but could
see nothing. At daybreak l made out
through the light haze to the south
ward, about five miles from shore. six
torpedo boats strung in line, all firing.
In the lead and outstripping the others
was a boat heading at full speed di-
rectly for the entrance of the harbor.
The last in line was beclouded in
steam and tagging. She had evident
ly been hit 1t was difficult to dis
tinguish our boats, but finally, through
my glasses, | saw that the leader and
the laggard were Russians and that
the four others were Japanese. The
Of bn md 40 cr,1acb Of tho
projectiles as they struck the water
showed the intensity of the conflict.
1.-The torpedo boat from which steam
was escaping was firing viciously the
four center craft, together, concentrat-
ing their fire on her, but the crippled
boat poured out her fire and was sue
cessfully keeping off her assailants.
The signals then mashed the news to
the men of the batteries that the YES
sci was the Strashni.
1.-The unequal combat was observed
with breathless interest, but the net
drew close around the doomed boat.
The four Japanese vessels formed a
semi-circle and poured in deadly fire.
The steam grew denser, covering her
like a white pail. Still she fought
desperately Running straight for the
adversary barring her way to safety
she passed the Japanese astern and
fired at them.
Bayan to the Rescue.
"At this stage Vice Admiral Maka
rolf, who had been observing the pro
gress of the conflict through a tele
scope, signaled to the cruiser Bayan
Liz ~ hO he, 30 O;fI
anchor and go to the rescue.
"The Japanese boats chung to theil
enemies like hounds in a chase. They
had become separated, but again re
sumed their formation. Small jets Of
flame and smoke were squirting from
the light rapid tirers, followed by
denser clouds as torpedoes were dis
charged against the Strashni.
at was the end. The stricken boa
loosed a final round, but it was as i
a volley had been fired over her owl
grave, for She disappeared beneath
the waves, only little cloud of steam
marking the place where she wen
down.
Big Fight by the Bayan.
Satisfied with what they had &C
complished, the Japanese torpedo
boats turned and made off at full
speed, followed by the Bayan. To thei
support came six of the enemy's crufs
ers Still the Bayan went on, seeming
ly inviting certain destruction. Sh
soon ported her helm, to bring broad
side to bear upon the foe, which wa
advancing in line of battle. She open
ed some of them and turned quickl
and stood on into the hail of tn
enemys broadsides. The Japanes
steamed away at slight angle, Ell
aiding all their guns to bear, and pre-
jectiles rained around the Bayan, rails
ing columns of water as they burs
but none of them struck home.
ITO the eastward suddenly appeare
five more of our torpedo boats, return
ing to the harbor under forced draugh
Two of the Japanese cruisers were d.
tached to cut them off. but the Bayar
noticing the movement, checked it b
turning a hot fire upon them. TIL
movement was effective. The Japanes
cruisers slowed down and the torped
boats slipped through into the harbo
BattIeships Go Out.
Meanwhile, in accordance with Vic
Admiral Makaroff's orders, the battl'
ships and cruisers in the inner harbo
slipped anchor. Majestically the p
tropavlovsk, flying the admirals flai
steamed through the entrance. On he
appearance the formidable army {
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