The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-30
Men Who Successfully Sealed HarbOr of Port Arthur Had
 a Terrible Experience
JAP SCOUTS INTERCEPT
 SOME IMPORTANT PAPERS !
Heavy Loss of Life by colllslon Of the Yoshlna and kasaea Was Caused by a Peculiar
 Accident.

Tokio May 29.-(5 D. m.)-Certain Rus- sian correspondents which has been inter- cepted by the Japanese at the blockade of Port Arthur gives the information that some Russian torpedo boat destroy CTS have been sunk by mines outside of Port Arthur. as well as details of tho placing by the Russians of the mines which effected the destruction of the Japanese battleship Hatsuse on May 15.
 The sixth Japanese squadron which was bockading Port Arthur, overhauled and searched junk and seized a number oe letters written by Russian officers One letter said that a torpedo boat destroyer had successfully placed a series of mines during the night which preceded the loss of the Hatsuse. and continuing tells of the loss of some Russion destroyers. How many Is not mentioned, but 1t Is indicat- ed that there were at least two.
 The heavy loss of life which accom- panied the sinking of the Japanese cruiser Yoshino, as a result of colding with the Japanese cruiser Kasaga on May IS was due to the smashing of five of her tcats by falling masts When the ships came together, collision mats were used, and tarpauiin was placed over the hole. but It was impossible to stop the thrush of water. The ship settled quickly, listlRg to the starboard.
 Ordered Crew to Upper Deck. Captain Sayeki ordered the crew to the upper deck. where they manned the boats. Five boats were lowered on the starboard side and one on the port side, but before they were clared the ships lucred to the starboard and commenced to sink. The masts and davita smashed all five of he boats on the starboard side, Captain Sayeli remained on the bridge and cried l ''banzai" to the sailors as they were en- | terng the boats. When last seen he was sf fakipg hands with Commander Hiro- watar and pid0ing him farewell. 1 At this moment, Lieutenant Naito sprang overheard and swan to the only cutter which had escaped from the wreck He rowed to the crusier Kasaga and re- turned with three boats but no trace of the Yoshino or her crew could be found with the exception of six men who had already been rescued by boats from the cruiser Chittose. The fog was so dense searchlights of the Kasaga. though not; more than six hundred metres distant. were only fantly discernable. The KasaRa struck the Yoshino on the port bow near the engines and the force of' the blow was so great that the dynamos of her lighting plant were destroyed. leaving the ship in darkness
 The port rail of the emperor aboard the Yoshino was rescued and carried to tho Kasaga.
 Crew Was Deafened.
 Commander Honda who commanded the fireship Totomi in the successful seal-f Ing of Port Arthur arrived here today Honda and the entire crew of the Totomfs were deafened by their terrible experi-{ ence. The xplosions and awful cannonadei ruptured the tymphanums of their ears. Honda may recover the hearing of ones ear. but he will be permanently deaf inI the other. Honda and his comrades did not discover their unfortunate condition until they were leaving the ship. Hel shouted his orders to his men, yet hel failed to hear his own voice, and he wass forced to make signs indicating his orderai In order to successfully bring the crew. back to Vice Admiral Togo's squadron.