The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-04-10
''HOW ULE TORPEDOED
THE RUSSIAN SHIPS

4~DDklIk DEuluus L GOun4 SEdILCA. AldfNE
out the long black bodies of the other
boats. We had covered four or five
miles. when three dark bodies hove into
sight-the Russian ships we coveted
our prey. as we hoped. They were ST.
lently luiling outside the harbor. Be
hind them the city seemed asleep. We
noticed few lights ashore; these, we
judged. belonged TO inns, where the
Cars soldiers and sailors were taking
their nightcap.
Nearer and nearer we drew. but be-
fore detection by ear or eye was posi-
bic. the engines were reversed and we
went back a mile. Observing ffsis, l
searchlights in Port Arthur? Indeed.
II they had used them. / would prob
ably not live 20 tell the story
We had been near enough TO take
IN the enormous size of the Russian
they were those We were after, name
". the Pallada. Retvizan. and Cesare-
Vltch. Compared with either. we were
miserable nut shells. 1t seemed ridicu-
lous almost TO risk an attack
AT the moment when the engines were
reversed the navigator turned and said:
shouldn't wonder IL the Russians were
shammtng- 1t seems strange that they
did not hear Us, even though the. engines
are muffied. Besides. Port Arthur is un-
doubtedly fitted with sound receivers.
rake my word for It. as soon as we
come back. we will draw upon Us all the
- WI ~ We WANT 70 ste.
Friendly Signals.
Meanwhile we had retired a very con-
siderable distance I'm the direction Of
Dalny. and now all of a sudden I saw
lights flare up at our signal yard white
above red, the Jap colors reversed. They
glared out quite brazenly. and 1t struck
me at once that their exhibition was q
ruse to fool the enemy. for the Russian
torpedo boats Withdrawing an hour. ago,
showed the same color combination.
We exhibited the signal for some
thirty seconds without evoking response
On the part of the enemy. Either they
are fools beyond comparison or are pre-
pared beforehand Il give US a fearful
blast IS soon as We come within strik-
ing distance, | heard the captain say,
after he mad given orders to cover re
lights and change our position by a
quick maneuver to port. If the Russians
were going to shoot, we preferred them
70 hit the water. And with darkened
lights and muffied engines we went
ahead on cats paws, croWding on all
steam, each man on his mettle.
The Pallada, Retvizan. and Cesare-
With were like black mountains standing
out through the shades of the night. but
we We're learning more about them
every second.
SUDDENLY a voice cried Quit seemed
70 come from the signal tower OF the
Pallada-'Who gees there?'
Our navigator answered IN his best
russian: HIS ajesty'S ships from
Dalny, but his pronunciation must have
been bad, for instantly lights farcd up
all over the Pallada, as we'll as on the
other boats. We could see the men as
they rushed on deck handling amunsI1g-
ton and training their guns
All readyg whispered our com
Inandtr, and added, upon receiving an
affirmative answer. Forward attack
At the same moment the Pallada be-
gan pouring forth grape shot ascertain
inE our position by the light of her own
guns. simultaneously lightning, or what
US, cannons -oared, heavy missiles
struck the water with splash and boom
ana great clouds of black smoke de-
seconded upon our deck
My own boat, IL turned out. had or
oers to destroy the Pallada, while the
others We're to engage the RetviZan and
Czarevitch or any other men-Of-war
within striking distance. We discharged
suit.
&" Hard aportT whispered the captain.
and the midship tube was let loose al
most before the words had left his
lips. During the next few seconds bull
lets wnistled about our ears thick and
heavy. grenades exploded, shells
The Pallada Going Up
There was a boona. a terrible roar
and havoc, n tidal wave rose before
our eyes. the Pallada riding on top For
I don't know how many seconds a gred,
vaterspout lowered above US, raised
and seemingly held ia place by the ex-
plosive gases. then one end of 1t de-
tached and swamped our deck.
Just as a giant shell hit our stern I
and other were dumped into the bay. l
felt myself sinking. but the remnant O.
sc ses below the waves threw me up
q gain. Striking out. looked In vain for
my ship. which had disappeared IN the
''The night was now well lit up. for
the Pallada. though evidently hurt TO
the DEATH kept on firing: BY the light
was almost cut in two. There was
great rent in her side well forward.
which the water rushed with a
gurgling noise. On the deck all was con-
and hurrahs the great ship showed her
entrails and seemed ready 10 sink. AZ
the very moment when another Of the
boats performed its deadly
work
ct seemed like a great thunder CLAP
when the RetviZan was hit. the tremeE-
dous vibrat ton Of che water knocked me
hither and thither. and out of reach
of the beam I had grasped a moment
before. Again the waters rose high. and
a 100000 ship was turned TO junk.
One cOutd nave OFlNeh through the cielt
IN her side with a buggy.
More orders. more terrified cries and
prayers. And all about me bodies OF
mer, struggling, sinking, reaching for
one another. The Retvizan stopped FIR
ing as soon as hit. But the Cezarevith
continued for a few seconds then she
too. was tOrpedoed. opening her side
wide to the onrushing waves
In the morning I found myself IN
this hospital IN the midst Of friends and
enemies. p"
INNATE uEADC