The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-16
VIVID DESCRIPTION
OF CHEMULPO BATTLE

Seoul, Friday, February 12.-The fol-
lowing account of the battle off Chemulpo
which resulted in the loss of the Russian
cruiser variag and the gunboat koriotz,
has reached here:
During the night of February 5, the
japanese landed 1900 men at Chemulpo,
and on the morning of the ninth three
Japanese cruisers, four gunboats and
eight torpedo boat destroyers under COM
mand of Admiral Uriu, approached the
harbor, but did not enter. The korietz
and Variag were lying in the harbor. The
Japanese admiral gave them until noon
TO come out. Both Russian vessels cleared
for action. All the shipping in the har
Dor was notified by Admiral Uriu to get
out of the firing line.
There was in the harbor also the
British cruiser Talbot, the French cruiser
Pascal the Italian cruiser Elba and the
United States gunboat Vicksburg. All
were active. The Variag signalled Nle
Talbot and boat from the British
cruiser went on board
Vessels Get Under Way.
Shortly afterwards the Variag and
Korietz got under way and steamed out
of the harbor. The crew of the English
| warship cheered them as they went out
to fight. When the Russians were four
across their bows, but they did not stop.
The japanese lay between the islands
ten miles out, blocking the only entrance
to the harbor. When the Russians were
six miles from the japanese fleet heavy
firing began on both sides. The Variag
turned her broadside loose at II :55 a. nj.
Then the Variag turned at right angles to
! the westward and steamed a short dis
lance. as IL to make the beach, but was
seen to suddenly turn again eastward
i and give her enemy the other broadside.
varlag Caught Fire.
| THE Japanese continued firing until
| 1922 p. m. when the Variag was seen to
be on fire near the stern. The Russian
vessels then turned back toward the har-
Dor and ceased firing at 1912 p. m. The
Japanese followed almost to the entrance
of the harbor, firing on the variag, which
! had heavy list to port, and was evil
IDENTIFY in sinking condition. The Korietz
was practically untouched
THE Variag lost thirty men and seven
| officers killed and forty-two wounded
! Count Muro was killed on the bridge.
About 600 shots were fred in all, but
the firing was not very accurate, and the
! Variag was hit in only six places. One
/ shot which struck her on the waterline
| amidships wrecked one of her engines.
w Hen the IuSSlanS anchored OFT the en-
] trance to the harbor, the British cruiser
sent four hospital boats on board with
doctor and nurse. The United States
| gunboat Vicksburg also sent three boats
with surgical assistance.
korietz Caught Fire.
| THE korietz was abandoned at $40 D.
M. her crew going on board the Pascal
( and at 1857 p. m. she BILE wup with ter
| rife explosion
| 1.-THE Variag was abandoned soon af.
| forwards, her officers deeming her situa.
and at 1857 p. m. she blew up with ter.
| 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 p. m. with frequent
| explosions as the flames ignited her am
| munition She sank turning over to pori
as she went down. The Russians event
ually went from the Pascal to the steam
| ship Sungai A Russian officer told tn,
| captain of the Wicksburg that he hat
come to ask asylum for one night only
i The Japanese casualties are not known
| but 1t is rumored that one torpedo boa
destroyer was sunk during the action