Evening star., 1904-03-21
FIGHT NEARLY AMOUR
RUSSIANS DEFEATED IN TWO
CONFLICTS OF DEsTRoYERs.
One Crew Makes an Heroic Defense
Only Four Men Survive
Japs Show Skill.

"A caDlegram from London last night
says: From the London Times correspon-
dent with the Japanese fleet by De Forrest
wireless telegraphy, via Wei-hai-wei,
March 20.-At am. on March 10 the first
division of the Japanese destroyer fotilla,
under command of Capt. Asia, while recon-
noitering southwest of the Liautiesthan
peninsula attacked six Russian destroyers.
A fierce engagement ensued, which lasted
fifty minutes. Early in the fight two of
the Russian destroyers were severely dam
aged. They drew off and made for Port
Arthur. The Others still fighting, retreated
until under the protection of the guns of
the forts, and they also reached the harbor.
The contest was so fierce at times that
the opposing vessels were within few
yards of each other. So close were two Of
them that the Russian bluejackets threw a
charge of explosive on the bridge of Jap
anese destroyer. Fortunately 1t did not
detonate. The charge is kept as memen-
to by the Japanese crew. All the vessels
engaged were more or less damaged.
One japanese DESTROYER received shell
in one of her stokeholds which burst the
steam pipe and scalded a stoker and
petty officer to DEATH The Russian casual
ties are not known. but must have been
considerable. The Japanese loss was six
killed and eight wounded.
That the Russians were defeated in spite
Of their superior numbers was due to tine
superior shooting of the Japanese, COM
bined with the fact that most of the Rus
sian destroyers were armed with three
Founders, while those of the Japanese were
armed with six-pounders. The three
Founders, while perforating the hull, does
less damage to the vessel and crew than
Six-pOunder.
A Desperate Encounter.
Three hours later the third division of
japanese destroyers under Capt. Tsuehiya,
sighted two Russian destroyers fifteen
miles south of Port Arthur. The Japanese
Immediately gave chase, came up with
them, and in the evening fierce fight took
place. The Russians fought with despera-
ton, the Japanese with confidence born of
past victories and superior numbers
One Russian commander was killed early
in the fight. The lieutenant took command,
only to fall. shot in both legs. The COM
mand devolved upon the sub-lieutenant
who was also killed after taking the wheel
himself when the coxswain fell This ves-
sci was captured by the japanese, but the
other escaped.
One Japanese destroyer was hit at the
waterline and two compartments flooded
As the quick-firng ammunition was wet
the vessel was unable to participate further
In the action.
Some Narrow Escapes.
Her officers had a narrow escape The
lieutenant, sublieutenant and the signal
men were on the bridge when a shot from
a twelve-pounder struck her twelve-pounder
platform just in front of therns One man
was killed. The shell exploded and the
bridge was swept by the splfnters. The
pinnacle and engine room telegraphs were
injured.
The same vessel received a three FOUNDER
projectile through the hull, but no material
damage was done. The dayitS were shot
away, and other marks of shot and splinter
deck fittings.
-Four days later, however, all the damage
had been repaired One man was killed on
the Sazanami while carrying an armful of
ammunition This vessel took the captured
Russian destroyer in tow under the heavy
fire of the shore batteries
Last Officer Killed.
The Russian had almost reached ga fetv
when the last officer was killed. The jana
nese lieutenant who boarded this DESTROYER
the Stereguschtchi, to make fast the tow
rope, said he had never seen a more hor-
rible sight
Thirty dead, all terribly mutilated by
shells, were lying on the deck. As the
japanese lieutenant approached two Rus
sian blueJackets rushed from the coming
tower and locked themselves in the cabin
Two stoKers jumped overheard and were
picked up by the Japanese.
These, with two wounded were the on,v
survivors of complement of flfty-fiye men
After two hours towing the Russian vessel
sunk, the men who had locked themselves
III the cabin going down with her. This fight
lasted nearly an hour.
Again, the weakness Of thef Russian de-
stroyer armament proved fatal. The lana
nese concentrated their fire first on the
twelve-pounder Russian gun and nut IL oI,t
of action early, leaving her only her three
Founders against their own tweIye-pou1ider
ana slX-poundeIs. AT times The combatants
were within 300 yards of one another.
Port Arthur Bombarded.
The Japanese had three killed and four
wounded.
Again that day the Russians were des-
tined to suffer at the hands Of the Japan-
ese. About $3.50 am. Admiral Togo with his
battle ships and protected cruisers ap-
preached the Liau-tie-shau peninsula. The
battle ships took a position clear of the
hre of the forts and began a long-range
bombardment of Port Arthur. which con-
tinued nearly three hours.
They fired $50 Pinch shellse and over 100
lU-lnch shells fell In the town. The amount
OF damage done is 81, not known, but the effect
weight, must have been appalling.
Outbreaks of fire were seen. and an ex-
plosion was heard, which, it is surmised
occurred in the magazine OF one of the
forts.
The attacks We're carried out in the usual
ly thoroughly scientific methods of the
Japanese. 1t was undertaken at a range
admirably suited to the Pinch guns. and
from position unassailables by the Rus
slams. While the battle shirs were firing
the cruisers were in line with the town at
right angles to the line of fire.
Civilians DESERVING Port Arthur.
The report reaches here that the civic
population is deserting Port Arthur en-
masse Admiral MakarofY had warm
greeting and probably will increase his
strenuous efforts to get the Russian fleet
fit for sea again. 1t is reported he is max
ing good progress on the repairs, and So
unless Admiral Togo locks him in, we may
yet witness fleet action at sea-
Since Admiral MakarofY's arrival the de-
fensive tactics of the Russians have be-
come more active and their destroyers are
more alert and enterprisng. admiral Togo
has been comparatively passive since Feb
ruary % and Port Arthur has been giving
a respite, although the cruisers and de-
stroyers are keeping close blockade.
Attack Vladivostok.
Vice Admiral Kamimura' s Sbombardment
of Vladivostok on March 6 was carried out
by cruiser squadron. The vessels opened
fire on the port as 1880 pm. and the bonn
bardnient lasted about three quarters of an
hour.