The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-21
Battle OF MARCH Q
WAS At CLOSE RANGE

LONDON, March IA correspondent of
the Times with the japanese forces, by
wireless telegraphy via Wei-Hai-Wei, under
date of March 20. sends over column of
matter which is mostly description of the
torpedo fight between the Russians and the
japanese on March 9. He says that Admiral
Togo has been comparatively passive, ac-
cording to the latest advices. and that Port
Arthur has been given respite. although
the cruisers and torpedo boat destroyers
have kept close blockade.
The correspondent says Vice Admiral
Kammura's bombardment of Vladivostok
was solely intended to harass the Russians
and TO compel the Russian cruisers to leave
the harbor. The vice admiral brought his
ships within range, opposite the point of
the forts on the northeast entrance. The
Russians did not reply because the japanese
vessels took up positions beyond the arc
Vice Admiral Kamimura. the correspond
ent says, sailed south on March III, after
searching Amur bay. Since Vice Admiral
Makraoff's arrival at Port Arthur he adds.
the Russian defensive tactics have been
more active and their torpedo boat destroy
ers more alert and enterprising.
Describing the fight between the Russian
and Japanese torpedo boats the correspond
ents confirm the ferceness OF the contest.
The vessels were so close that the Russians
bridge of one of the Japanese torpedo
boat destroyers. These. however, failed to
detonate. All the vessels engaged were
more or less damaged. The Japanese losses
were six killed and eight wounded. That
the Russians were defeated. in spite of their
superior numbers, is due to the better
shooting of the japanese and the fact that
the Russia vessels were armed with three
pound guns, while the armament OF the
japanese ships was made UP OF six-pound-
In reference to the fight of three hours
which occurred later the correspondent
says the Russians fought with desperation
and the japanese with confidence born OF
their past victories. One Russian COM
mander was killed early in the fight. A
lieutenant then took command, only TO
fall, shot I'm both legs. Then the COM
mand devolved on the sublieutenant, who
also was killed, after taking the wheel
himself. When the wheelsman fell this
vessel was captured by the Japanese. The
other Russian vessels escaped.
On the Japanese side one destroyer was
hit on the water line. two of her compart-
ments were flooded and her quick-firing
ammunition was wetted. This vessel re-
tired from the action. Her officers escaped
narrowly from underground shot, which
struck the platform in front of the bridge.
killing one man and sweeping the bridge
With splinters. The same vessel received
a three-pound shot through the hull. but
the damage was repaired within four days.
A Japanese lieutenant who boarded the
Stereguschtchi said he had never seen a
more sickening sight Thirty bodies, ter
ribly mutilated by a shell. were lying on
deck AS the japanese approached two
Russian bluejackets rushed from the con-
ming tower. locked themselves in the cabin
aft and refused to come out. Two stokers
Jumped overheard and were picked up.
These with two wounded men, were the
only survivors of crew of ffty-five- When
the Stereguschtchi sank the men who were
locked in the cabin sank with her.
The fight lasted nearly hour. The
weakness of the Russian torpedo boat de-
stroyer armament again proved fatal The
tod hnfr fire irCf nv,
the Russians twelve-pounder and put it
out of action early in the fight, leaving her
with only her three-pounders against their
own twelve-pound and six-pound guns. The
Japanese had three killed and four
wounded.
Describing the bombardment of Port Ar
thur on the same day. the correspondent
asserts that more than 10 shells fell in the
town.