The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-12
RUSSIAN DESCRIPTION
OF PORT ARTHUR FIGHT
Japanese Rained Shells on Golden
Hill and Damaged Three
Warships.
CARS MEN WERE BRAVE

ST. PETERSBURG. March n.-Copies of
the Now Krae (of Port Arthur, which
have just arrived here. contain the first de-
tailed Russian description of the naval bat
tie at Port Arthur Feb. .. 1t says:
The Russian squadron, which was pre-
pared 10 resist attack when the japanese
were sighted by the scouts. was composed of
the battleship Petropavlovsk. flagship; the
battleship Peresviet. the battleship Poltava.
the battleship Sevastopol the battleship
Pobieda, the armored cruiser Bayan. the
protected cruiser Diana, the protected
cruiser Novik. and the transport Angara.
The battleship Retvizan and the battleship
Czarevitch, which had been tOrpedoed on
the previous night, were too badly injured
TO participate.
AT s o'clock in the morning four Japa-
nese cruisers rounded the Lao rishin prom
ontory and then headed southeast. with
the intention of drawing the Russians in
pursuit. The fast Boyarin was sent out TO
and signaled the approach OF large Japa-
nese fleet, which was sighted at 1:O1. 1t
was composed of twelve vessels, six battle
ships and six cruisers. They were steam
ing in line abreast. Four of the cruisers
took up a position behind the heavier ships.
The Japanese opened fire at four miles and
the Russians Immediately replied. The lat
ter which had been disposed in line, altered
their position, the Askold and BOyarin adj
Vancing abreast of Liao-Tin rock, and the
Novik moving down the coast towards
Liao-Tfshin, while the Bayan advanced and
led the rest of the fleet between the heavier
vessels of Russia s enemy and the coast.
The land batteries followed the fleet into
action, Viceroy AleXieff and his staff OBJ
serving the engagement from Golden Hill.
The enemy steamed to within forty cable
lengths about 5000 YARDS at the end of
half an hour; in three-quarters of an hour
approached TO within twenty-five cable
lengths 10000 YARDS, and then heading
about toward the south. the fleet soon dis
ZOn.
The enemy's fire was directed chiefly
against the Golden Hill and electric search
light station batteries, upon which the Jap
aneSe rained a perfect storm of shells.
Many shells fell in the West basin, a few
even reaching Quail Hill. Only the Novik,
Askold and Diana sustained injuries.
Toward the end of the engagement a col
umn of steam and smoke poured out of one
of the japanese vessels, and it is believed
she sank"
The Novi Krae says il was learned later
that six of the enemys ships were damaged
and that 80 men were killed or wounded.
The Russian losses, as given by the Now
krae, correspond with the official reports.
The Russian protected cruiser Pallada,
although torpedoed and ashore, participant
ed in the action. The Russian torpedo
boats awaited the order TO attack east of
the squadron, but the enemy did not APP
proach within the distance desired. The
account concludes:
Although the enemys squadron
composed of the best ships in the japanese
fleet, all having excellent armor. while
most of ours were without armor, our ships
did not hesitate to approach the enemy at
full speed, the pace being so rapid that the
enemy could not get the range. The Novik
particularly distinguished herself, several
times attacking the Mikasa, the japanese
flagship"