Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-05-20
JAPAN LOSES WAR. SHIPS.

According to reports from Toxic and
St. Petersburg, though somewhat con-
hicting, it would appear that the Japa-
nese have lost five or six warships in the
past 10 days. They are becoming almost
as unlucky as the Russians in naval
losses, but claim that they have not yet
destroyed any of their ships by their
own mines, although it is not clear
whether Russian or japanese mine
is responsible for their latest disaster.
An official report from Vice Admiral
Togo states that the cruisers Kasaga
and Yoshino collided during fog of
Port Arthur on May 15. The Yoshino
sank, only 80 of her crew being saved,
and on the same day the battleship
Hatsuse struck a Russian mine.
1t was in a deep fog OF Port Arthur
that the Kasaga rammed the Yoshino,
sinking the latter in few minutes.
The battleship Hatsuse while cruising
off Port Arthur, covering the landing Of
the soldiers, stuck mine 10 knots
southeast of the harbor entrance. She
signalled for help and instantly struck
another mine. She sank In half an
hour. Three hundred of her crew were
saved by torpedo boats.
japanese officers are reported to have
informed correspondents that two Rus
sian destroyers have escaped from Port
Arthur and are still at large. They
stated that the Russians are using Chi
nese iunks to place mines in the path OF
the japanese fleet patrolling the pen
insula coast. They also informed them
that they had sunk a tug and several
iunks that were discovered placing
mines.
In consequence Of this promiscuous
mining the japanese feet is moving to a
greater distance off the coast, and all
other navigation in these waters is sus-
pended. There are indications that the
Japanese destroyers have laid many
mines outside of Port Arthur, hoping
to catch the Russian destroyers in their
attempt to return to Port Arthur.
Many of these mines have been improp-
erly anchored and are adrift. They are
reported to be all over the gulf. One
Chinese junk picked up l3.
Although not confirmed by the ad-
miralty at St. Petersburg, dispatches
from Cheloo repeat story told by Rus
slams arriving from Dalny that during
bombardment of Port Arthur last Mon
day the japanese battleships Shikishima
and Fuii struck mines aud the former
sank and the latter was disabled.
Although the names differ from those
contained in Admiral Togo report, they
may refer to the same vessels.
The Russians at Chefoo seem to have
obtained their information from the COM
manding officer at Dalny, who showed
them, they assert, telegram from Port
Arthur that the bombardment commenc-
ed at O'Clock Monday afternoon, and
that two hours later the Shikishima
struck the mine and was soon at the
bottom. During the confusion that fol-
lowed, according to the story told, the
Asami also struck on a mine and was
taken in tow, but was settling so fast
that it was found necessary TO abandon
her.
Later arrivals at Chefoo reported to
the Russian consul that the battleship
Skikishima sank in two minutes after
contact with the submarine mine, and
that there was no time to save the crew.
The accident happened, it is said, within
sight of Port Arthur.
The battleship Full, which struck the
mine on her port bow had a heavy
list, and was also down by the bow,
but was righted aud went off in tow of
the other cruisers. 1t is thought i'm
possible, however, that she could reach
port.
Recently the japanese cruiser Miyaka
sank in Kerr bay by striking mine.
The Russian admiralty still claims
that the channel at Port Arthur was
never blocked by tie japanese fireships,
aud that there is a free passage even for
the heavy Russian ships.