The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-05-04


ron commanded by Rear Admiral
Yeszen, has returned here from it's
recent operations of the Corean coast.
The squadron put to sea at daybreak,
April %, and hove to off Won-San
April 25. Admiral Yeszen sent into
the bay two torpedo boats, commanded
why Lieuts. Poehl and Maximoff. AS
they ran in towards the shore they
found the Japan sse trading steamer
Goyo Maru at anchor, with crew OF
about twenty men on board. The
latter were ordered ashore. Lieut..
Maximof boarded the Goyo Maru,
took possession of her papers and flag
and then sent her to the bottom with
a torpedo. The torpedo boats forth
with rejoined the squadron after four
hours absence.
The Russian squadron returned to
Vladiyostocik and late during the
night Of April 26 started on another
expedition. At 6 in the evening OF
April n, when 300 miles out, the
squadron sighted japanese steamer
with war stores on board. Her crew
consisting of fifteen Coreans and
twelve japanese, were placed in safety
and the steamer was sunk by pyroxy-
lin cartridge.
The. same night large Japanese
transport, the Kinshiu-Maru, was
overhauled. Her commander mistook
the Russian for japanese squadron,
and signalled:
''I am bringing you coal.
The Russian commander promptly
signalled in reply:
"Stop instantly
The crew of the transport then
recognized their mistake, and began
to lower boats and steam pinnacles
with the greatest haste and endeavored
to escape, but the Russian steam
cutters captured chem all.
On board she transport were four
Hotchkiss guns of Z millimeters. At
the outset it looked as if 10 one was
left on board, but on examination it
was found that the cabin was locked
and barred. Therein the Russians
found six infantry officers, who surren-
dreed without resistance and were
taken on board the Rurik.
Iu another part of the ship l3C
infantrymen, who refused to surren-
der, were found.
Admiral Yeszen, whose vessel was
about l,6c0 yards away ordered his
men to leave the transport. The Japa.
nese soldiers then opened fire and
wounded Russian coxswa;n. After
wards the transport was sent to the
bottom by means of mechanical mine
and few shells.
The japanese on board did not cease
firing. and mads 70 attempt to save
themselves, although they had a
launch in which they could have left
the transport. The fire of the Japanese
actually continued until the waves
closed over the ship.
The transport had On board rot only
ammunition, but 2, Goo tons of coal for
Admiral Makamura.
The prisoners num5erd 1873, includ-
ing II officers Altogether POI prison
ers were taken bv the Russian squad
rcn. landed at Vladivostock, and i'm
mediately DISPATCHED by t:ain to
Nikolsk.
A JAPANESE ACCOUNT.
Toxic, April 9.-Seventy- three
japanese we're killed or drowned as a
result of the sinking of the japanese
tranpsort Kinshui- -Maru. The Kin
shiuM Maru parted from the convoy of
torpedo boats in fog on Monday, and
at 1l30 p. m. met the Russian fleet.
She was ordered to stop and the Rossia
steamed alongside, Summoned her
navigating officers on board the Rossia
and sent searching party or board
the transport This party discovered
two panies of soldiers concealed
below and reported the fact to the
Rossia. The latter discharged tor
pedo, which struck the Kinshiu Maru
amidships and broke her in two.
While the transport was sinking the
soldiers on board of her rushed on
deck and fred volleys from their rifles
into the Rossia, and as the K.inshiu-
Maru sank severalo of the soldiers COM
mitted snicide.
Three boats, which foated free from
the wreckage, were the means of sav
ing forty-fve soldiers and nine Of the
'Kinshiu-Maru's passengers and crew.
The survivors succeeded i'll getting
ashore, and were conveyed by steamer
to Gen San today.