Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-16
BEATEN BY SMALLER SHIPS.
Vladivostok Squadron More Powerful
Than Vessels Which Defeated It.

II the information given in the dispatches
from Tokyo be correct the three japanese
armored vessels which defeated the Vladi-
vostok squadron were smaller and less
heavily armed than the three Russian ar
! mOred cruisers which have so terrorized
commercial shipping. The Rossia Of Il.
100 tons. the Gromoboi OF 1886 tons. and
the Rurik. Of 1923 tons, were opposed to
the Azuma. Of 9.436 tons. and the Idzumo
and 1wate. Of $3.50 tons each.
1t Is probable also that the Russians were
at distinct advantage because of the fact
that the Vladivostok squadron has at all
times commanded the splendid dock facili-
ties at its home port Between raids the
cruisers have spent long periods at Vladi-
Vostok. and their machinery should tsve
been kept in the best Of condition and
their bottoms kept clean. thus assuring
their best speed
On the other hand. Admiral Kamimura's
ships have been kept for months in the
straits OF Korea to guard against a descent
upon the transports supplying the army 1t
is not probable that they have been able to
go to the docks. except for the most neces-
sary repairs. and doubtless they were not
in condition to attain high speed II this
surmise be true, it swould easily lave been
possible for the two larger Russian cru's-
ers. which had speed Of twenty knots.
to run away from them, while the slower
Rur1k would not be able to do So
The three arpored cruisers that consti-
tuted the main fighting strength of the
equipped and speediest Of such vessels
anoat The Rurik. the vessel that has been
sunk by the Japanese, was the smallest
OF the trio: her tonnage displacement being
1913. while the Rossia displaces II. 100 and
the Gromoboi Il. 1896 tons.
The Rurik was built at st. Petersburg
She was launched in 1894 and completed
and commissioned a year later. She was
fnnt x.vtfl \
a draught of % feet. She was a frst-ciass
armored vessel. and carried battery of
eight-inch. IL six-inch. G 4.7-inch, and
Is small quick-firing and machine guns
about 1871 knots an hour. Her complement
Of officers and men numbered 76S.
The other armored vessels Of the Vladi-
vostok squadron. the Gromoboi and the
Rossia, both of which. according to the
Japanese, have been badly damaged. carry
guns Of the same caliber as did the Rurik.
but are equipped with double the number
of smaller and quick-firing guns. The
st. Petersburg. the former being launched
in 1885 and completed in 1885, and the lat
ter launched in 1899 and completed in 1900.
The Japanese armOred cruisers Azuma,
IdZumo and Iwate and the protected cruis-
er Takachiho are, with the exception of the
last named among the best cruisers IN the
Japanese navy. The Azuma. which Is
French-built vessel was launched at St
later. Her tonnage Is 9,436, and her bat
terry consists of eight-inch. IL six-inch. q
three-ineh. and II 1.S-inch guns Her speed
when she Is in good shape Is 20 knots, and
she carries a complement of 4S2 officers
and men. The other two armored vessels.
the Idzumo and Iwate, are sister ships of
$50 tons each. and were both built at Els
wick, England, being completed in 1901.
The speed Of the Idzumo is q knots and
the 1wate on her trial trip attained a speed
of 21.S knots Their battery strength Is
about the same as that of the Azuma-
The last named vessel. the Takachiho is
one Of the oldest in the Japanese navy,
having been built at Elswick In 1856. Her
tonnage is only 300. and she carries a bat
terry vastly inferior to the three modern
vessels which, with her. opposed the Vladi-
vostok squadron.
The Vladivostok squadron has been at
various times in the public eye since the
beginning of the Russo-Japanese war
owing to the dashing raids 1t made out or
Vladivostok and Its success In evading the
pursuing vessels under Admiral Kamimura.
Soon after the declaration Of war it ven
tured forth. and In Tsugaru strait sank
small japanese merchantma after which
it returned to vladivostok. where 1t APP