The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-06-28
FER ICE NAVAL FIGHT.
Full Details Of the Baked At
tempt OF Russian Port Arthur
Squadron to Escape.
Especial London Times Gable to the Times
Ss3i DISPATCH. Copyright 10o4) a.

especial London Times Capic 70 tl1c i'I'es'
Dispatch Copyright 1000
TOXIC Juno 2s.--Complete details have
now been received here OF the attempt
.fthe Russian Port Arthur squadron to
escape, and seek arefuge at Via1'vo-
stok. Ever since Monday, Tune goth, The
Japnneso had been aware tllat Il break
:or liberty was to be made, and Admiral
Togo prepared Il special plan 10 be fol-
lowed when tho attempt was made. a
weak cruiser squadron was placed about
The entrance to the hurbor, wlliic tho
battlcship squadron took up Il position
behind one OF tho main land points. On
Thursday. tho Russians We're seen to DO
working their fleet out OF the blocked
Channel with a merchant vessel in front
CT each unst. tho intent being to Protect
the warshlps from concealed mines. The
Russian battleshps moved very slowly,
and the cruisers and destroyors were used
10 protect their TANKS Tt was exactly
z O'Clock in the afternoon when tho en-
tire Russian squadron reached the open
Sea; by this time, the three divisions of
Japanese destroyers had nut In to tho
attack. Thetr. efforts were directed ut
first against the craft OF their own class,
but the Russian cruiser Novil1 came to
the aid of the Russian ,destruyers, and
the fire from her rapid guns was so nc
curate and persistent that the Japanese
We're compelled to withdraw Whilo tho
destroyers were fighting, tho Russian
armored ships, headed by The battlcshlp
Czarevitch steamed at full speed for tho
shantung promontory. Shortly after G
clock the Russian fleet rounded Count
Fnr Rock. and for tho first time saw Adj
miral Togo's fleet Of heavily arno-ed
vessels waiting for them. On board the
C2arevitch, which was flying the flag
Of the v.ce-udmral commanding, signal
flags were promptly broken out, and IN
obedience the course OF tho Russian yes
sells was changed to due south, bringing
the Japanese decoy cruisers on the Rus
sian port BEAM
Admiral Togo's fleet gave chase, and
at the same time the Japanese cruisers
closed In. The destroyers swung into
line to tile left, but behind the Russians,
thus envelop'ng the latter. About I
O'Clock, as the dusk began to enyelop
the sea- the Russian fleet bl oke, out their.
battle flags, and q moment later. from
the tops ofsthe Japanese vessels were
swung into view tho sun-rayed STANDARD
OF the Nlikado. 1t seemed sls though the
greatest naval battle or modern times
was about totbegin. The Japanese flag
ship opened on the Russians at a range
icf 1iGO metres, but the Shells fell short.
and the signal to change course and
bear In on the enemy was made. AS IL
in answer to this the Russians changed
their course as many points, so that
the Japanese object was defeated This
manoeuvrc was followed 81 numner of
times. but finally about o'clock tho
Russian admiral, seeing that there was
10 clearance way" TO the south, flashed
MS signal lanterns and the entire Rus.
1nak nut J,.,,% -. +
ward Port Arthur. Tho Japanese ships
We're now running a full speed, and with
the forced draught on their furnaces, but
they We're unable TO overhaul the enemy,
ana, seeing this. Admiral Togo s.gnaled
to REFORM which was done Speed was
then reduced, and the Russians per
mtted to sail for tho harbor without
further molestation.
The. Japanese COMMUNICATIVE chief then
slgnaled his torpedo flotllla commanders
to go IN and attack the enemy under
cover OF the darkness. and without Civ
ing them chance to work their vessels
back into the Port Arthur roadstcad. Thc
night attack eclipscd any that has taken
place since the beginning of the war.
In spite of the sweeping scarchlights,
which Flashed across tlle ocean like moon
beams. tho Japanese went In and by
steaming at full speed across the Rus
sian front, succeeded In avoiding tho
Russian fire, while the torpedoes, launch
ed at full speed, reached some OF tho
marks at which they were aimed. BE-
fore retiring. the Japanese torpedocd and
sank the battleshlp Porosviet and dam
aged so as to render useless the hattie.
ship sebastopol and the cruiser Diana,
~ Is not known how many of the crew
OF the Porosvet were lost but it is
generally believed hero that fully 400 OF
Aer crew were carried down with her