The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-02-16
STORY OF THE BATTLE
Details Of the Loss of Russian
Cruiser Variag.
LANDED AT CHEMUlP0
Warned the Ships to Come
Out and Battle Began

Seoul. Friday, Feb. 12.-The following
account Of the battle of Chemulpo which
resulted in the loss Of the Russian cruiser
variag and the gunboat Korietz has
reached here:
During the night of February 8. the
japanese landed 1880 men at Chemulpo
and on the morning OF the 9Th three
japanese cruisers, four gunboats and
eight torpedo boat destToyers under COM
rnand Of Admiral Uriu approached the
harbor but did not enter. The Korietz
and Variag were lying in the harbor. The
japanese admiral gave until noon to come
out. Both Russian vessels cleared for
action.
The shipping in the harbor was notified
10 Admiral Uriu to get out Of the firing
line. There was in the narDor also the
British cruiser Talbot, the French cruiser
Pascal. the Italian cruiser Elba and the
United States gunboat Vicksburs. All
were active. The Variag signaled the
Talbot and a boat from the British cruiser
went on board Shortly afterward he
Variag and Korietz got away and steamed
out Of the harbor. The crew of the
English warship cheeder them as they
went out to fight. When the Russians
were four miles out the japanese threw
n shot across their bows, but they did
not stop. The Japanese law between the
Islands ten miles out blocking the only
entrance to the harbor. When the Rus
slams were six miles from the japanese
feet heavy firing began on both side.
The Variag turned her broadside loose
at Il 30 a m The Eariag turned at right
angles TO the westward and steamed a
short distance as if to make the beach
but was seen to suddenly turn east again
and to give the enemy her other broad
side. The japanese continued firing ur-
til 12:12, when the Eariag was seen to be
on fire near The stern The Russian yes
sells then turned back toward the har-
Dor ana ceased firing at PAP p m
The japanese followed almost to the
entrance of the harbor. firing on the
Nariag which had a heavy list to port
and was evidently in Il sinking condition
The Korietz was practically untouched.
The Nariag lost thirty men and seven
officers killed and y wounded Count
MurowsBi stood on theb ridge. About 600
shots were fired I'm all but the firing was
not very accurate and the Variag was
hit in only six places. one shot which
struck her on the waterIine amdships
wrecked one of her engines. When the
Russian anchored off the entrance to the
harbof, the British cruiser sent four
hospital boats on board with a doctor and
nurse The United States gunboat Vicks-
burg also sent three boats with surgical
assistance.
The Horiotz was abandoned at $3.50 p m.
her crew going on board the Pascal and
at 3:5T D. m she blew up with a terrific
explosion. The Variag was abandoned
BOON after, her officers deeming here sit
uation hopeless. Her dead were left on
board. The crew of the Variag went on
board the Talbot. the Pascal and the
Elba. Some also went to the Vicksburg
The Variag burned until 6:00 p. m. with
frequent. explosions as the flames ignited
her ammunition. She sank turning over
TO port as she fent down. The Russians
eventually went from the Pascal to the
steamship Sungaii y Russian officer told
the Captain of the Vicksburg that he had
CONS to ask asylum for one night only.
The japanese casualties We're not known
bur it is rumored that one torpedo boat
destroyer was sunk in action
BATTLE AT PORT ARTHUR.
London. Feb. 15.-Thc correspondent Of
the Associated press at st Petersburg
cables the first unofficial account Of the
battle at Port Arthur Tuesday dated
Perth Arthur, February 9th. 1t is as
follows:
At half past eleven the japanese squad
ron Of fifteen vessels began the lombard