Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-03-23
Three hours later a third division of

Three hours later a third division OF
the Japanese destroyer fiotilla, under
Capt. Tsuch!ya, sighted two Russian
destroyers, Is miles south of Port Ar
thur. They Immediately gave chase
came up with them and another fierce
fight took place. The Russians fought
with desperation. and the Japanese
with confidence, borne of past victories
and superior numbers. One Russian
commander was killed early in the
fight. A lieutenant took command, on
ly to fall. shot in both legs. The COM
mond devolved on the sub-lieutenant
who also was killed after taking the
wheel himself when the cOXsWain fell.
This vessel was captured by the Jap
aneSe and others escaped. One Japa-
neSe destroyer was hit.
Two compartments We're flooded. AS
the quick-firing ammunition was wet,
the vessel was unable to participate
further in the action. Her officers had
4 narrow escape. One man was killed.
A shell exploded. and the bridge was
swept to splinters. The same vessel re-
ceived 4 three-pounder prOjectle
through her hull, but no material DAM
age was done. Davits We're shot away,
and other marks of shot and splinter
damage We're seen on the tunnels and
deck fittings. Four days later, however,
al the damage had been repaired.
! On the SaZanami one man was killed
while carrying an armful of ammunition.
This vessel captured Russian torpedo
! boat under the heavy fire of the shore
batteries. The Russian had almost reach
ed safety when her last officer was killed.
| The Japanese lieutenant who boarded her
said he never had seen n more horrible
sight. Thirty dead and terribly mutilated
men were lying on deck. AS the Japanese
approached, two Russian bluejackets
rushed from the coming tower and lock-
ed themselves in the cabin. Two stokers
jumped overheard and We're picked up by
the Japanese. These, with two wounded.
are the only survivors of a complement Of
So After two hours towing. the Rus
sian vessel sank. the men who locked
| themselves in the cabin going down with
her This fight lasted nearly an hour.
| Again the weakness of the Russian de-
stroyer armament proved fatal The Jap
anese concentrated their fire first on the
action. leaving her three three-pounders
against their own l2-pounder and six
Founders. At times the combatants were
within 800 yards OF one another. The Jap
ancse had three killed and four wounded.
| Again that day the Russians were des-
| tined to suffer at the hands of the Jap
(anese. About go a. NJ, Admiral Togo
with the battleshipS and protected cruis-
cts approached the Liautieshan peninsu-
| la. The battleshipS took their positions
| clear of the fire of the forts and began
\ a long range commandment of Port Az
thur. which continued nearly three hours.
| They fired $50 Finch shells and over 10
| fell in the town. The amount of damage
| is not known, hut the effect of the great
shells. of $50 pounds weight must have
been appalling.
| Outbreaks of fire were seen, and an OK
pIosiOn heard which. it IS surmised, must
have occurred at the magazine of one of
| the forts.
| Reports reached us that the civic popu-
| lation was deserving Port Arthur en-
| masse Admiral MakarOn had Il warm
| greeting and probably will increase his
| strenuous efforts to get his fleet fit for
sea again. He is reported as making good
| progress. So unless Togo locks him in,
we may yet witness a fleet action at sea.