The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-04-22
REPORT FROM ALExIEFF
Viceroy Gives Detailed Account Of
Sinking of PetropavlOysk.

st. Petersburg, April 22.-The text
of Viceroy Alexieff's report concerning
the PetrOpavlovsk disaster and the
torpedo boat engagement which pre-
ceded it, is as follows:
"On April IL a fotilla of eight tor
to inspect the islands with orders to
attack the enemy should he be en-
countered in the course of the night.
Owing to the darkness and heavy
rain three Of the destroyers became
separated from the fotilla, two Of
which returned to Port Arthur at
dawn. The Bezstrashni encountered
several Japanese destroyers and in the
darkness mistook them for Russian
ships, and, giving the signal Of recog-
milton, joined them.
"She was recognized by the enemy,
and there was a fight at close quar-
ters, in which her crew were killed.
At dawn, April 10, the cruiser Bayan.
preceded by destroyers, hurried to the
rescue. About sixteen miles from
Port Arthur, the Bayan saw the de-
Estroyer engaged with four Japanese
destroyers. Shortly afterwards an ex-
plosion occurred and the Bezstrashni
sank.
Cruiser Saves Five Men.
Driving off the enemy's destroyers
by her fire, the Bayan approached the
men Of the destroyer's crew.
'"The cruiser Diana and five de-
stroyers fastened to her succor and
at the same time the other cruisers,
the battleships Petropavlovsk and
Poltava and some destroyers came out
from the roadstead and the other bat
| tleships left the harbor. In column
| formation, with the Bayan at the head
and the destroyers on the flank, Vice.
Admiral Makaroff proceeded to the
scene Of the Bezstrashni's fight. whit1l-
er more Japanese destroyers and
cruisers were approaching.
Retreat Toward Harbor.
mine Japanese battleships ap-
peared at $3.50 a. m. and our ships re-
| tired toward Port Arthur. In the
roadstead they were rejoined by the
battleships Pobieda, Peresvinet, and
sevastopol, which were coming out
1.-THE squadron was drawn up in the
following order: Askold, Bayan, Di-
ana, Petropavlovsk, Peresviet, Pobi-s
eda, Novik five destroyers and two
torpedo cruisers.
.0They turned toward the left, but
when approaching the mouth OF the
channel the destroyers were signaled
| to return to the harbor and the
cruisers to proceed. Maneuvering
with the Petropavlovsk at their head,
! the squadron turned to the east, max
| ing toward the enemy on their right.
| Eat 9:43 a. m. an explosion oc-
Cured at the right side of the
Petropavlovsk; then a second, and
more violent explosion under her
bridge. A thick column of greenish
yellow smoke was seen to rise from
the battleship, her mast, funnel,
bridge and turret were thrown up and
the batt1eship heeled over on her
starboard side.
| Screws Working I'm Air.
''Her poop arose from the water.
showing her screw working in the air.
The Petropavlovsk was surrounded
| by flames and in two minutes sank
| bow first.
"The cruiser Gaydamak, which was
a cable length away, lowered boats
| and succeeded in rescuing Grand Duke
/ Cyril and forty-seven seamen. The
destroyers and boats from the Poltava-
and Asko1d also picked up some OF
j the Petropavlovsk's crew. Altogether
seven officers and seventy three men
were saved.
/ cat a signal the other Warships
made for the entrance Of the harbor.
n mine exploded under the star
board side of the Pobieda. She
listed, but proceeded and entered the
harbor with all the other ships astern
of her. The enemy remained in sight
until o'clock and then Disappeared