Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1904-04-21
A RUSSIAN
EYE WITNESS
Tells Of the Last Great Disaster to the
Russian Navy at Port Arthur.

Lao lang ApIu IL ANSSN"J -'SNp
April IL, Vice Admiral Makaroff took to
sea with bis entire squadron, including
fourteen torpedo boats. The next morn
ing, April l3, in the teeth of a gale eight
torpedo boats were sent out to recon-
noiter.
From Golden Hill, on which l was
standing, through the blackness the search
lights of the Notifications flashed over the
inky waters of the roadstead and far out to
the bszy horizon.
At dsybreak l made out through the
light haze to the southwark about five
miles from shore six torpedo boats strung
out in line, all firing.
In the lead and ;utstripping the others
was a boat heading at full speed directly
for the entrance of the harbor. The last
in line was beclouded in steam and lag
ging. She had evidently been bit.
1t was difficult to distinguish our boats,
but finally through nv glasses l saw that
the leader and the laggard were Russian
and that the four others we're Japanese.
The torpedo boat from which steam was
escaping was firing viciously.
The signal station flashed the news to
the men of the batteries that the vessel
was the Strashni.
The four Japanese vessels formed
semi-circle and poured in deadly fire.
The steam from the Strashni grew denser.
Still che fought like desperately wounded I'd
animal brought to bay.
Running straight for the adversary bar
ring her way to safety, she passed the Jap
anese astern and fred at them.
At this stage Vice.Admiral MaksroH,
who had been observing the progress oI
the conflict through q telescope, slgnaled
to the cruiser Bayan, lying in the innel
harbor, to weigh anchor and 60 out to the
rescue.
The Japanese destroyers clung to theu
victim like hounds in chase.
Small Jets of flame and smoke were
squirting from the light rapid-6rers, varied
by denser clouds as torpedoes were d's
charged against the Strashni.
1t was the end. The stricken boat looset
final round, but it was as if volley Lac
been fred over her own grave, for she dis
appeared beneath the waves, only litt!
cloud of steam marking the place wher
. she went down.
Satisfied with what they bad accom-
plished, the japanese torpedo boats turne'
and made off at full speed, followed b.
the Bayan. To their support came six
the enemy's cruisers. Still the Bayal
went on, seemingly inviting certain de
struction. She coon ported her helm t
bring a broadside TO bear upon the fo
which was advancing in line OF battle.
She OF ened upon them and then turne
Quickly and st pod on into the hail Of tn
enemys brc a lsides. The japanese steame
at a slight angle, enabling all their guns
bear and projecties rained around tn
Bayan, raising columns OF water az the
burst, but none struck home.
Meantime, in accordance with Vice-AC
miral Makarof's order, the battleshiT
and cruisers in the inner harbor slippe
snchor. Msjestically the Petropavlovsl
Aying the admiral's flag, steamed throug
the entrance. On her appearance tn
more formidable enemy of Japanese cruz
era turned and fed. Besides the Petr'
payloysk, saw the battleships Peresvie
Poltava, Pobieda and Sevastopol, Il
cruisers Noyik, Diana and Askold and Il
torpedo boats.
Seeing the flight of the Japanese cruz
ers. the Petropsvlovsk opened fire VIII
her great guns, but the enemy was out
range and soon disappeared.
Our SQUADRON continued the chase, fins
ly fading from view.
waited anxiously for its reappearan
and in about an hour 1t came in slgl
Far beyond it, the number of points fro
which smoke arose announced the pre-
ence of the enemy. Nearer and near
came the vessels, and at last, l made o
behind our squadron feet of fourteen,
which six were battleships and the
rnsinder armored and unarmored cru
ere.
Unable TO get within effective range
ViceAdmiral Makarof s ships, the enea
stopped eighteen versts from shore.
Our squadron, with the PetropsVlov
leading, arrived at the entrance to {
hsrbor and drew up in line of battle. A
=, - -. aootad froon fho HaOahi