New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-15
WARSHIP SUNK IN ACTION
FiUe Of B6zStrdShniS Crer0 SaUed-
PObisda Strike Nine.

st. Petersburg, April 1.-Two new disasters
to the Russian fleet at Port Arthur were off,
cially announced this morning. The torpedo
boat destroyer Bezstrashni was cut of from
the rest Of the Russian fleet at Port Arthur and
sunk by the Japanese. Only five of her crew
were saved. The battleship Pobeda acciden-
tally struck mine while mannuvring but was
able to return TO the harbor without loss OF life
Rear Admiral Prince Ouktomsky. the tenn
porary commander of the fleet. says in a dis
patch that the Bezstrashrl was one Of the de-
stroyers sent out in the night to reconnoitre.
She became separated from the res; Of the fleet
owing to the thick weather prevailing. She tried
to creep in along the coast when discovered. but
was surrounded by japanese destroyers and
sunk in the Gght He adds:
In the course Of some manpuvring of the
battleship squadron the Pobieda struck against
mine aInidships ON the starboard side She
able to regain port by herself No
board OF her was killed or wounded.
Another dispatch from Rear Admiral Prince
OuktomsIy dated 10 a. m to-day after reter-
ating that the Petropavlovsk sank "in conse-
quence OF the explosion Of a mine while she was
manpuvring in the Port Arthur roadstead in
sight of the enemy's fleet" adds that those saved
included. besides Grand Duke Cyril and Captain
Jakovleff. three lIeutenants. two midshipmen
and ffty-two sailors. The bodies Of a captain.
two mdshipmen, surgeon and few sailors
have been recovered.
GRAND DUKE CYRIL IMPROVING,
The Grand Duke Cyrirs injuries consist of
burns on the neck and legs \ private dispatch
90 his father reports that the wounded officer Is
better a lifebuoy was thrown to the grand
duke by which he sustained himself in the
water until picked up by one OF the boats which
were lowered Immediately by the other war
ships.
The wounded grand duke is exceedingly pop
ular, and is heir to the throne after Grand Duke
Michael. the Emperor's brother. it being gener-
ally understood that Grand Duke Vladimir.
Cyrils father. would waive his rights ir his sons
favor
Rear Admiral Uriu's statement that Vice Ad-
miraI Togos fleet was responsible for the sink
ing of the battleship Petropavlovsk at Port Ar
thur is officially denied here a member of the
general STAFF says that the advices received do
not show that a naval engagement took place
unless the cornerng and sinking of the torpedo
boat destroyer Bezstrashni can be SO denomi-
mated
THEORIES OF BATTLEsHIP's LOSS.
That the Petropavlovok was blown UP by
mine placed at the entrance to the harbor to
prevent the blocking of the channel is the opia-
Ion entertained by the general STAFF. 1t is true
that the vessel sank in full view of Vice Admiral
Togo's fleet which was seen on the horizon, but
her loss was not caused through the agency Of
that fleet.
There is a disposition, however. to raise
controversy as 10 whether the explosion Oc-
CURED inside or outside the battleship. The fact
that many OF the wounded, including Grand
Duke Cyril was badly burned, seemed to sup
port the theory Of an internal explosion.
The first dispatch received from Rear Ad-