Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-08-15
Russian Cruiser Rurik Sent to
Bottom of the Harbor.
The Rossia and Cromobo Forced to
Run South-Admiral kamimura Re.
sells Is Very Slight.

resulted in a complete japanese VIC
tory. The Russian cruiser Rurik was
sunk and the cruisers Rossia and
Cromoboi fled to the northward after
having sustained serious damage.
Vice Admiral Kamimura cables the
navy department that the injuries in
ficted upon his vessels were slight.
The fate Of the crew of the Rurik Is
not known. 1t Is presumed that many
of them were killed or drowned. The
strength Of the fleet under Vice Admiral
kamimura Is not known, but 1t is pre-
sumed that he had the Adsuma Idsumo,
Iwate, Takashiho and other light cruis-
ers.
Toxic Is joyous over the news as 1t
gives Japan mastery Of the sea and re-
stores commerce.
The navy department has issued the
following statement covering the Che
Foo incident:
According to reports received. to
date the Asashiwo and Kasumi, be-
longing to the first destroyer flOtilla,
Capt. Fujimoto commanding, were dis
patched in search of enemy's ships
scattered during the engagement on the
resembling one of the enemy's Destroy
ers and gave chase, but lost her in the
darkness.
continuing the search they discov-
cred that she had entered the port of
Che Foo.
The Japanese ships waited outside
the port, but the Russians failed to
leave.
Capt Fujimoto. anticipating its
escape during the night If possible to
attack merchant vessels. entered Che
Foo with the two destroyers and found
the Russian destroyer Ryeshitelni re-
manning undsarmed.
Lieut.. Terashima was then sent to
the Russian vessel with a message to
the effect that the japanese commander
expected him to leave by dawn or sur
render
THE Russian commander refused to
comply with either demand and while
the conference was still going on he
was heard instructing his men to blow
up the ship.
AT the same time he caught hold Of
Lieut.. Terashima and threw him over
board.
"Our INTERPRETER was next thrown
overheard by some Russian sailors. and
others among the sailors showed signs
OF resistance.
while this was progressing the for
ward magazine exploded. killing some
Of our men. We then captured the de-
stroyer and retired"
The Russian armored cruiser Rurik
N tho in the
straits of Corea. The armored cruisers
Rossia and GromOboie escaped to the
northward, heavily damaged.
Toxic. Aug. 14.-3 p. M.-The follow
ing i. the casualties sustained by the
Japanese in the action of Aug. 10:
On board the battleship Mikasa, Adj
miral TogO's flagship, there were -four
officers and 90 men killed. six officers
and 90 men severely wounded, and -four
officers and 90 men slightly wounded
While the armored cruiser Yakumo had
one officer and IL men killed and IL
wounded, on board the armored cruiser
Nisshin. seven officers. and nine men
were killed and two officers and Is men
were wounded.
Ten men were wounded on the ar
mored cruisers Kasuga.
The torpedo boat destroyer Asagira
had two men killed.
on board the torpedo boat No. 80. one
man was killed and eight others wound
ed.
Flags are flying. lanterns are glim-
mering. and cries of "Banzai' are
ringing In the districts Of Toxic. to-
night. in honor Of the victories gained
at sea by Admiral Togo and Vice Adj
miral Kamimura.
Underneath the pollity of the popu-
lace lies q feeling Of deep satisfaction
and qualification at the disposal of I,
desperately serious problem of the war
The Russian squadron which con-
fronted Admiral Togo refused battle
1t was stronger than Admiral Togo's
squadron in battleships and armorej
cruisers and had it elected to fight the
result might have altered he fortunes
Of war. The strength Of the squadron
which opposed Admiral Togo compelled
him to draw vessels from the squadron
under Vice Admiral Kamimura anf
this left the Japanese navy powerles:
to operate against the Russian Vladi
vostok squadron and unable to prevent
the raids of the vessels.
The raid conducted by the Vladivos
tok squadron in July was extremely ex
pensive to Japan and not only was re-
taliation tempting. but it was demand.
ed by commercial interests.
The navy however. grimly refused tC
make a diversion and stuck to Por
Arthur. 1t was confidential that tbs
harbor soon would be untenable for tn,
Russian warships. that it would event.
ually get fair fight in the open sea
away from the Russian land batterie:
and that the japanese would win
These calculations OF the navy wer,
correct, and the Russians, with tn,
chances even. have been hopelessly de
feated.
Vice Admiral Kamimura aftel
months of weary and patient waiting
finally got his chance at dawn, today
eff Tsu Island.
He sunk the Russian cruiser Ruril
and sent the cruisers Gromoboi an(
Rossia fleeing back from the fight.
Japanese guns dominate the docl
yards at Port Arthur and in view O