New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-19
TERRIFIC EFFECT OF GUN FIRE.
Naval Surgeon Reports on the Fight of the
Variag and the Korietz.

Washington May ls-Never since the development
OF tho modern !ronclad has tho medical department
OF the United States Navy had so good an oppor-
tunity to study the terrific effects shpboard Of
modern heavy gun FIRE that presented in the
short and fatal struggles for life OF the Russian
crews Of the Variag and the Korietz. and the de-
partment has been waiting with great interest for
the report OF DIT. II. d. Wilson. OF the Vcksourg.
This was received to-day by Surgeon General Rixey,
and is said 70 be Of the highest value not only FOR
the technical lessons II teaches but also as con-
ciusively sustaining the statements made by Cap
Marshall OF the Vicksburg 10 the offer OF
assistance 10 the Russian crews. The report bear
ing that incident is as follows.
Immediately after the Russian cruiser Variag had
returned from the fight with the japanese heet ana
had anchored. was directed by the captain OF this
anything possible IN assisting TO take caTe OF me
wounded. The Russian commander accepted the
offer. and requested me to go below. where the
wounded were being cared for The medical officers
board at work. they having arrived before me; as
their ships anchored much nearer the Russian.
On deck were most OF the dead; as they had nee9
instantly killed at the guns: below, the wounded
Q convenient place to dress them. 1t was impracu-
cable TO do more than apply dressing OF most
needing Immediate attention, and also IT was not
known but that the Japanese would resume the hight
any time the Russian ship had not surrsn-
dered when sne returned TO the inner harbor the
nature as all had been caused by the explosion of
large shells from eight to ten inches hes OF the
tremites which is accounted for by the fact that
pieces Of shell. etc, so large as 10 cause
death whenever they struck the body or head.
No attempt made 10 perform operations. and
as soon as dressings were applied the wounded were
put In boats and taken 10 OF the foreign ships
as the Russian captain intended TO leave his ship
and sink her. I offered to send any wounded on
board the United States steamship Zafiro (Which
was in port, as the commanding officers Of the
Vicksburg had directed To prorer her services
for tho wounded The Offer was declined by both
the captain and the executive officer. they inform
ing me there was sufficient tbs other
ships Many of the wounded died later from the
operations and from the direct effects Of wounds as
the parts were damaged as to make an opera
ton absolutely hopeless. The Russian ship has as
good sick bay accommodations as the average yes
sell II not better but 1t totally inadequate TO
the call made upon H.
1 think the engagement showed that 1t will be i'm
possible TO attend the wounded during engage
ment between modern ships unless the nurbH or
medical attendants is tremendously increased With
the present allowance the wounded would be obliged
10 take entire OF themselves until the fight was
over In this battle the ships from three thou
sand 10 seven thousand yards apart, and actual
firing lasted not twenty-five minutes. yet over
one hundred men were disabled. 1t also must be
taken consideration that here the main battery
only used. the ships not being hit once by rapid
FIRE protectiles.