The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-17
Bishop Moore's Graphic Account
Of Sinking Of Russian Warships
Stationed in Shngh Details the Sea
Fight Harbor of Russians Chant Battle Hymn

trial before the civilized world. The SOL
diers landed. the feet withdrew some six
miles beyond an island, and formed across
the narrow channel by which alone heavy
draft ships can pass in or out. There were
six ships in line and eight torpedo boats
Besides these a second lire was rumored
Tuesday, the 9Th, was lovely day albeit
the sea view was hazy. Like a shock ran
through the city the report that the Japa-
nese consul haG notified the Russians that
if they did not sail out by noon they would
be attacked in the harbor at p. Soon
after the following official order was made
public:
Japanese Consulate,
'Chemulpo. Feb. Q. 1904
'Sir-I have. the honor to notify you that
Rear Admiral s. Urin. commanding a
squadron Of the imperial Japanese navy,
who is at present in Chemulpo roadstead
with the force under his command, requests
me 10 notify you that as hostilities exist be-
tween the government of Japan and the
government of Russia. he shall be obliged
to attack the men-Of-war of Russia sta
toned at present in the port of Chemulpo
with the force under his command, in case
of the refusal of the Russian senior naval
officer present to leave the port of Che
mulpo before noon of the 9th of February,
1904
- L have the honor to be. sir.
Your obedient servant.
(Signed) 'MOTOSHIRO KATO.
" His Imperial Japanese Majesty's Consul
ATTACK IN HARBOR.
at was further understood that in the
event of noncompliance, the attack in the
harbor would be at O'Clock in the after
noon. The Russians decided to go out, and
stripped their ships for action. The sea
was strewn with everything wooden, from
topmast to skylight. everything which
would splinter. Sandbags were piled up
against and above the sides on deck. Every
gun and every torpedo tube was shotted
and shortly before noon they steamed out,
cheered by the other battleships as they
passed
Into the Jaws OF Death
Into the mouth of He'll
"Our mission compound commands fine
view of the harbor and roadstead and to
the left and further seaward a still better
view is secured. AS the ships disappeared
in the haze Our hearts stood still with
almost agonizing suspense Then came the
roar of two shots across their bows Then.
refusing To lay 10, they opened their bat
teries. and were opened upon by the con-
centrated fire o. the Japanese. Fifteen
minutes. we thought. would suffice 10 end
the unequal combat: but earth and sea
shook under the awful thunder of the guns
thirty minutes, forty minutes. ffty-two
minutes; and unable 10 break through.
scorning TO surrender. the Russians swung
round and steamed back to their anchor =
age. with their flags still flying. Sure of
their prey and presumably unwilling to
fight unnecessarily in the harbor. the Japa-
nese did not pursue but resumed their sta
ton in the rOadstead completely blOckad-
ing the only channel. The four-funneled.
Cramp-built cruiser was evidently badly
wounded and listed to port. The Koreetz.
the smaller of the two. was apparently
uninjured. But we FASTENED TO row out ia
a sampan TO inspect for ourselves. We saw
no scar wounds on the Koreetz though
the sailors were putting fresh paint on her
huh here ana there If TO conceal scars.
and the officer directing had his head band
aged General Allen asked in Russian how
they Jared. fhe commander replied that
they had no chance. and that at the ship
would go up. But the Nariag was evident
~ sinking. She mortally wounded
amidships, and had a huge rent in her