Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-05-18
JAPAN LOSES CRUISER.
Toxic Officially Reports That War
ship Ran on a Mine.
RUSSIA CLAIMS CREDIT.
Dispatch from Lao Yang Asserts That
Naval Cadet and Three Jackies
Blew Up Vessel.

japanese legation has received the fol.
lowing cablegram from Toxic:
Admiral Kataoka reports that on May
IA our torpedo boat flotilla continued sea-
sweeping operations under cover Of the
fleet. The enemy constructed temporary
batteries on the promontory at Kerr bay,
TallenWan, mounting six field guns be-
sides hastily constructed fort and with
one company Of soldiers stubbornly resist
ed our attack. Our torpedo boat fotila,
defylng the enemy's fire, carried out the
operations and destroyed five mines laid
by the enemy. Unfortunately one of the
mines exploded and sunk our cruiser Mi
yako. In this accident six men were
killed besides the two who were wounded
during the fight"
Toxic, May 1880 p. m.-The Jap
Rnese dispatch boat Miyako was de-
stroyed in Kerr bay by striking a sub
| merged mine. Eight casualties are re-
ported
The Miyako was lost while assisting in
the operations Of clearing the Russian
MINES from Kerr bay, northeast of Ia
ienwan bay, Oh which Port Dalny is
situated. Admiral hataoka, commander
OF the third squadron, returned there
Sunday with a detachment of his squad
ron, protecting two fotillas of torpedo
plete sweeping the harbor by the removal
OF mines.
Miyalo Runs on a Mine.
Five mines Were discovered and ex-
ploded and the work was being suspend
ed when the Miyako struck an undis-
covered mine, which exploded with ire
mendous force under the stern, on the
port side, and inflicted immense damage
on the hull. The Miyako sank in TWEEN
fI--t anti H., III i
and twenty-five men We're wounded. The
rest of the crew were rescued.
The news of the loss of the Miyako
has been sorrowfully received in Toxic.
The dangerous character of the work in
which the Miyako was engaged is gen
orally appreciated, but it was thought
that the loss of torpedo boat No. 4S I'M
der similar circumstances Thursday last
would serve as 4 warning to those ell
gagged In the work to exercise the great
est care.
Russians Hold Fort.
Admiral Kataoka reports that the Rus
slams withdrew from Robinson point,
northeast OF Kerr bay, which adioins
Talienwan bay, May II, but they erect
ed 4 temporary fort on height north
east of Taku mountain, where they
mounted six guns and constructed pro
tectlng trenches. The vessels of Admi-
raj kataoka's squadron shelled the Rus
sans throughout Sunday, but the latter
stu bbornly retained their position
The Japanese fotillas while sweeping
the bay were exposed to the Russian fire
ali day, but continued their work unir-
jured.
How Torpedo Boat Was Lost.
When the Japanese torpedo boat No.
4S was destroyed May -, in Kerr bay.
while removing Russian mines, seven
men were killed and seven were wornd-
cd n 4 ho
lost by Japan during the war with Rus
STA.
The Miyako vas one of the warships
which took part in the operations at Kerr
bay. Talien Wan bay and Blackney Cor
Deep by, the day No. IS was destroyed
Was a Steel Cruiser.
The Miyako was a steel cruiser of 1900
tons displacement and 6l3O indicated
horse power completed in 1901 and hay
ing an estimated speed of 20 knots. She
was o14M feet long, had Is feet beam
and drew Is feet of water. Her arma-
ment consisted of tive Al ouick-6rinc
guns and ten 1.S inch guns and four tor
pedo tubes.
Russians Claim Credit.
Lao Yang, Saturday, May 14.-TDe-
layed. 1.-The Russian fleet scored its first
distinct naval success of the war on May
IL by the torpedoing and crippIing
= Il
nese cruiser in Talien Wan bay.
The RUSSIAN attack was carefully
planned on May 10, while the Japanese
squadron was concentrated outside of
Dalny, devoting its whole attention to
Iallen Wan bay, and was carried out
the same night.
The attacking force was net regular
torpedo boat, but was only small
naphtha launch in command of q youno
naval officer, who had with him three
Jackles. The launch mounted small
machine gun and carried three torpedoes.
Attacked by Launch.
When darkness fell the launch crent
out of Port Arthur, hugging the shore.
with no lights aboard and no glow from
engines to betray its presence. 1t was
late when the launch gained the outer
me OF the Japanese squadron. Slipping
through the torpedo boat pickets and
selecting the nearest warship, a big ar
m0red cruiser, the launch stole toward
the great Warship and succeeded in ox-
ploding against its side single torpedo.
A deafening roar followed the explo-
sioa, which echoed far ashore. Imme-
diately flames enyeloped the cruiser
which evidently was badly crippled.
The crew of the cruiser was seen ia hn
fighting the fire, which they at last suc
ceeded in eXtinguishing. A sister shin
took the damaged vessel in tow and dis
appeared to the southeast.
Carried Out Secretly.
The launch escaped the hot fire d.
rected against it by the japanese ships.
but being unable to return to Port Ar
thur or to get into Dalny it was beached
not far from Dalny.
Only few of the higher officers were
aware of the plan, the success of which
depended upon secrecy. The achieve
ment raised the spirits of the Russians
afloat and ashore, and the young naval
oihcer who was the hero of the exploit
was feted and recommended for the
cross of St. George.
The Russians, on May II, apprehend-
ing mat the presence of a japanese
squadron meant an attempt to capture
Dainy, blew up the piers and quietly
evacuated the place
Two thousand Japanese have reoccu-
plea the road to Sanchilipu, again cut
ting Off Port Arthur A strong force is
advancing against Polandien.
CORTELYOU TO DIRECT.