Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-16
MNAKO STRUCK MINE
Jap Ship Lost While Clearing
Bay of Russian Mines.
DETAILS OF DISASTER
TORPEDO BOAT NO. 48 LOST UN-
DER SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
Both Boats Engaged in Dangerous
Work-Exposed to Raking Fire
From Cars Ships.

TOKYO. May 16, $3.50 p.m.-The Japanese
dispatch boat Miyako was destroyed III
Kerr bay by striking a submerged mine.
Eight casualties are reported.
The Miyako was lost while assisting IN
the operations of clearing the RUSSIAN
mines from Kerr bay. northeast OF Iaiien-
Wan bay, on which Port Dalny is situated.
Admiral Kataoka. commander or thlru
squadron, returned there Sunday with
detachment of his squadron, protecting TWO
notillas of torpedo boats, which mad peeh
detailed to complete sweeping the harbor
by the removal of mines.
Five mines were discovered and exploded
and the work was being suspended for the
DAY when the Miyako struck an undlscoV-
cred mine which exploded with tremendous
force under her stern on the port side. and
inflicted immense damage on the null Inc
Miyako sank in twenty-five minutes. Two
sailors were killed and twenty-five men
were wounded The rest of the crew were
rescued.
Sorrow at Tokyo.
The news of the loss of the Miyako mas
teen sorrowfully received in Tokyo Inc
dangerous character of the work In Wnlch
the MiyakO was engaged is generally ap
preciated but 1t was thought that the loss
cumstances Thursday last would serve as
a warning to those engaged In the WORK 'o
exercise the greatest care.
Admiral Kataoka reports that the Rus
SLAMS withdrew from Robinson folht,
northeast of Kerr bay, which adJolns
Talien- Wan bay, May IL. but they erected a
temporary fort on the height northeast vi
Taku mountain, where they mounted SIX
guns and constructed protecting trenches.
The vessels of Admiral Kataoka's squad
ron shelled the Russians throughout sun
day. but the latter stubbornly retained
their position.
Uninjured by Raking Fire.
The Japanese fiotillas, while sweeping the
bay. were exposed to the Russian fire all
day, but continued their work uninjured.
When the japanese torpedo boat No AZ
was destroyed, May u. in Kerr bay, whlle
removing Russian mines, seven men were
killed and seven were wounded. The NO.
As was the first warship lost by Japan our
ing the war with Russia. -
The Miyako was one of the Warshlps
which took part in the operations at kerr
BAY Talien-Wan bay and Blackney lor
Deep bay) the day No. 4S was destroyed
The Miyako was steel cruiser of l,soO
tons displacement and 6,130 indicated horse
power completed in 1901, and having an
estimated speed of 30 knots. She was 2l4'9
feet long had 36 feet beam and drew l5.o
feet of water Her armament consisted OF
two 4,7-inch ouick-firing guns and ten 1S-
inch guns and four torpedo tubes.
The Japanese legation has received the
following cablegram from Tokyo:
Admiral Kataoka reports that on May
IA our torpedo boat fotilla continued sea-
sweeping operations, under cover of the
fleet. The enemy constructed temporary
batteries on the promontory at Kerr bay,
Talien-Wan, mounting six field guns. be
side a hastily constructed fort, and with
one company of soldiers stuobornly re-
sisted our attack. Our torpedo fotlla, de-
flying the enemy's fire, carried out the op-
erations and destroyed five mines laid by
the enemy Unfortunately one of the mines
exploded and sunk our cruiser Miyako. In
this accident six men were killed, beside
the two who were wounded during the
fight"