The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1904-05-16
JAP SHIP
TORPEDOED
Russians Claim Naval Success
in TaIienwan Bay.
NAPTHA LAUNCH DID IT
Mikado' S Vessel Was an Armored
Cruiser Which Caught Fire Z
after Explosion.
NAPTHA LAUNCH DID IT

LONDON, May 16. - Advices from
Liaoyang says the Russian fleet has
scored its first distinct naval success
of the war by torpedOing and Gripping,
though not the sinking, of an armored
japanese cruiser in Talienwan bay.
The Russian attack was carefully
planned and carried out while the Jap
anese squadron was concentrated out.
side Dalny devoting its whole attention
to Talienwan bay.
The attacking vessel was not regu-
lar torpedo boat. but was only a small
naphtha launch in command Of Il
young naval officer, who had with him
three jackies. The launch mounted
small machine gun and carried three
torpedoes
When darkness fell, the launch crept
out of Port Arthur hugging the shore,
with no lights aboard and no glow
from the engines TO betray her pres
ence II was late when the launch
gained the outer line of the japanese
bNNAthlbDs Nllt NllDItA llll'hEA AAAN l'l
pedo boat pickets, and, selecting the
nearest warship, big armored cruiser,
she stole toward her and succeeded I'm
exploding against her side a single tor
pedO. A deafening roar followed the
explosion, which echoed far ashore.
Immediately fumes enveloped the
cruiser, which evidently was badly
crippled.
The crew of the cruiser was seen 10
be lighting the fire, which they at last
succeeded in extinguishing. A sister
ship took the damaged vessel in tow
and disappeared to the southeast.
The launch escaped the hot fire d.
rected against her by the japanese
ships; but, being unable TO return to
Port Arthur or TO get into Dalny, she
was beached not far from Dalny.
The Russians, apprehending that the
presence of japanese squadron
meant an attempt to capture Dainy,
blew up the piers and quietly evacu-
ated the place.
Two thousand japanese have reOccu-
pied the road to Sanehilipu, again cut
ting of Port Arthur. A strong force
is advancing against Polandien.
Major General HaTkevitch reports
that the Chinese attacked his outposts
Oh the Fengwangcheng road leading to
Saimatsi and that strong band OF
Chinese brigands has been sighted
near the station at Yantai.
General Plug telegraphs that, ac-
cOrding to reports OF patrols and mis-
sionaries, the Chinese at Tapadziatsl,
100 miles northwest OF Mukden and
just outside the Russian sphere Of In
fluence, are preparing to rise against
the Russians and Christians generally.
Advices from St Petersburg say the
emperor has received the following
report from Viceroy Alexeleff:
II beg respectfully to communicate to
your majesty report from Rear Ad-
miral Wittsoeft on the state of affairs
at Port Arthur. The report was
brought by an express runner from
Dachichao station on the eve OF the
second interruption of communications
by the enemy. II follows:
'~The enemy's squadron, composed of
ironclads, cruisers and torpedo boats,
has appeared off Port Arthur and con-
hnues to blockade without undertaking
active operations.
"a detachment OF nearly a thousand
japanese has advanced seven miles
north of Polandien. Another detach-
ment Of 300 infantry and half a squad
ron Of cavalry has also advanced by a
hanking movement to Wafantien.
The troops guarding the frontier are
slowly retiring northward, holding the
enemy.
"On Friday a force of 800 Chinese
bandits attacked the mine at Yantai
The bandits were repelled by a sotnia
Of the frontier guards and a company
Of infantry, losing thirty men. They
retired in the direction of Liaoyang,
and a detachment Of chasseurs was
sent in pursuit.
Measures are being taken to clear
this district Of Chinese bandits.
''The enemy's scouts have appeared
about nineteen miles southeast of Mao
ten pass.
"The enemy's advance guard has
reached Touintsou, on the road be-
tween Fengwangcheng and Liaoyang.
Our two sotnias Of Cossacks retired to-
ward the village of KantsaendiantiG."