Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-19
Japanese Torpedo Boats
Closed in Under
Guns of Forts.
ADMITS HEAVY LOSSES
Details Give Added Horrors Of
the Fight at Two Hundred
Three Meter Hill.

Toxic. Dec 19-Vice Admiral
Togo's report upon the torpedo opera
tions against the Russian battleship
Seyasfopol was received today. II
says.
On the night Of Dec. IA our torpedo
fiotilIas made a gallant and brave Sc
ries Of attacks against the Sevastopol
Attack mt 4 a. VI.
The fotillas arrived outside the en-
trance TO Port Arthur about midnight
and approached the Sevastopol at L
O'Clock and under the searchlights and
fire OF the enemy's ships and shore
batteries they attacked her. A shell
struck Commander Mitamura's tor
pedo boat wounding three sailors. Sub
sequently our fiotilla attacked indie
pendently. Flotilla A advanced first
for the purpose of destroying the de-
fenses protecting the Sevastopol and
also to draw and divert the fire under
the enemy's searchlights. Flotillas Il.
C. ID. and F. approached successfully
and bravely continued from 2 until 4
I'm the morning.
Commander Otaki's notilla e ap-
preached closest and delivered the
most vigorous attack.
Command Killed.
While refreating one torpedo boat
received several shots simultaneously.
her commander. Lieut.. Nakahari and
five others being killed. The boat lost
her freedom Of motion and Lieut.
Nakahara's boat went TO the rescue
despite the heavy fire endeayored-+s}
save her While towing the boat the
enemy's shells severed the hawser-l !
Nakahara's boat was hit and one man
was killed. Subsequently several
shells hit and almost disabled Nakaha- |
ra's boat forcing him To- abandon his |
comrade ship which was sinking. Ma
kahara however. steamed back. and |
rescued the crew and abandoned the |
torpedo boat to her fate
Oth~s- Were Hit.
Commander Kawase's boat was
struck by a shell. killing one of the /
crew and wounding Lieut.. Takahashi
and two sailors. Lieut.. Shono's boat /
was hit and one of the crew was killed i
and five wounded. The boat was tenn 1
porarily disabled but his comrade |
ships protected and rescued her. All
the other boats bravely facing the en-
emys fire succeeded in delivering the
attacks without suffering any damage.
The result OF their attacks is not
definitely known. although IL Is evident
numerous torpedoes took effect.
Effects Seen.
The watch tower reporting on the
following morning said that the Sc
vastopoI had settled considerably. Her
condition was such that she did not
change position in the current. She is
anchored close inshore in shallow
water.
The skilIful maneuvering and brav-
cry of our officers and men inspires
me with "A deep feeling of satisfaction
and confidence.
Describes Meter Hill Fight
Chefoo. Dec. ia Japanese camp
follower who saw a portion OF the
fighting at Two Hundred and Three
Metre hill. says Commander Mizzene-
off's description of the fighting is not
exaggerated. He believes. however.
that the Russian losses were greater
than stated by MizZeneoff. as the Rus
slams repeatedly brought up reinforce
ments until il seemed the entire gar
rison must have been in that section
The Russian dead. he said. were
indiscriminately mingled with the
Japanese dead The slope OF Two
Hundred and Three Metre hill being
very steep and smooth. the japanese
prepared for their advance by shelling
the hillside The shells in exploding
followed out a -foothold. In some in
stances the Japanese found protection
behind their own dead.
Say Japs Lost Heavily.
Tien Tsin. Dec ia junk which
arrived here today from Port Arthur
reports four Japanese torpedo boats
sunk during the attacks on the Rus
sian battleship Sevastopol which they
say has now sought refuge under
Golden HILL The Japanese. the Chi
nese added. are spreading false reports
of their successes in order TO facili-
tate the negotiation of fresh loans
abroad.
sink Torpedo Boat.
Toxic. Dec. ia Russian torpedo /
boat was sunk by the Japanese naval |
land battery on Saturday.
Mine and Capture q Fort.
Toxic DEC l9-Cnnfirmarion has