Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1904-04-22

sunk on CbemuIpo became Insane,
aud wounded Had No One 20 Care
For Them-Two Japanese Vessels
Did the Damage.
Details of the fight of Chemulpo,
Korea, between the Russian cruiser
Variag and the Japanese fleet which
have never been published on this
side were supplied by passengers OF
the Northern Pacific liner Victoria,
which recently arrived ut Victoria, ID.
c., from the orient.
The principal details relate TO the
awful effects of the Japanese shell nre
and the strange attacks of the battle.
A copy of the Korean Review of late
date gives the following version of
tie historic combat:
The Nariag and Korietz made
straight for the easterly channel, steer
ing a little west of south, the Japa-
nese feet waiting for them eight miles
away. When four miles separated
them the japanese threw shots across
the Russians bow as signal to heave
to and surrender
The only answer the Russians made
was to crowd on more fire, and the
Variag began to leave the korietz, ana,
steaming twenty-four knots, headed
straight for the Japanese flagship. The
object was to get as close as possible
to the japanese, as the Naraig's guns
were only ga inches and quite useless
at the damage range of the Japanese
guns.
This was at five minutes before
noon. The japanese fleet was de-
ployed into line facing the approaching
steamers, apparently not intending to
bring their whole force to bear on
, them. The two Japanese vessels that
smashed the Narag to pieces were the
| Asama and Chiyoda; no other vessels
Of the japanese feet took part.
Not long after the warning shots the
two Japanese ships let loose theii
whole batteries, the noise being ter
rife. The Varajg swerved to eastward
and gave the Japanese her starboard
broadside.
All about her the sea was torn into
foam and spouting fountains of water,
with machine gun fire and exploding
shells. Her steering gear was smash
ed early in the fight and she had to de-
pend entirely on her engines to steer.
Seeing it was impossible to make the
eastward passage, the Narag's COM
mander headed for the west and came
around in course which brought the
Variag very much nearer the Japa-
nese. Then the deadly work was done
on her.
Ten of her twelve gun captains
were shot away. A shell struck her
forecastle, passed between the arm
and body of gunner, who had his
hand on his hip, and, bursting, killed
every other man on the forecastle
Both bridges We're destroyed by burst
ing shells, and Captain Rubnieff was
seriously wounded.
A lieutenant who was in the con
ming tower, peering through the OBJ
servation slit. had his face beaten
clear in and his head reduced to pull
by the terrific impact of shell which
struck the slit just opposite his face
and exploded.
The scenes on the fore and aft decks
were sickening. The Nariag's surgeon
went violently insane shortly after the
engagement, so that the wounded mel
had to wait until boats with medica
assistance arrived from the neutra
ships.
The explosion of the Korietz was 81
violent that the neutral commander
asked that the Variag be not blown
up. She was accordingly set on tir'
and sunk
The Variag's forty-one dead wer'
I placed in one of the cabins and burnet
and went down with their ship