The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-04-18

centrating their fire upon her. but the crippled destroyer poured out her fire and was successfully keeping off her assailants. The signal station flashed the news to the men of the batteries that the vessel was the Strashnf.
 The unequal combat was observed with breathless interest, but the net drew close around the doomed boat. The four Japanese vessels formed a semi-circIe and poured in a deadly fire. The steam from the Strashni grew denser, covering her like a white pail. Still she fought like a desperately wounded animal brought to bay. Running straight for the adversary barring her way to safety, she passed the Japanese astern and fired at them.
 At this stage Vice-Admiral Makaroff. who had been observing the progress of the conflict. through telescope, sig- nailed osthe cruiser Bayan, lying'in the inner harbor. to weigh anchor and go out to the rescue. The Japanese destroyers chung to their victim like hounds in a chase. They had become separated but again resumed their formation. Small jets of flame and smoke were squirting from the light rapid fires varied by denser clouds as tofpedoes were discharged aginst the Strashni. It was the end. The stricken boat Ioosed final round. but 1t was as if volley had been fired over her own grave, for she disappeared beneath the waves. only a little cloud of steam marking the place where she went down.
 Satisfied with what they had accom- piished, the Japanese torpedo boats turn ed and made off at full speed, followed by the Bayan. To their support came six of the enemy's cruisers Still the Bayan went on, seemingly inviting kaHs. 9 IA. S ]. helm to bring broad side to bear upon battle She opened on some of them and turned quickly and stood on into the hail of the enemy's broadsides
 The Japanese steamed at slight angle enabling all their guns to bear and pro- jectiles rained around the Bayan raising columns of water as they burst, but none struck home.
 To the eastward suddenly appeared five more Of the Russian torpedo boats, returning to the harbor under forced draught. Two of the Japanese cruisers were immediately detached to cut them off but the Bayan, noticing the move ment. checkmated 1t by turning a hot fire upon them. The movement was ef- fective. The Japanese cruisers slowed down and the torpedo boats slipped through into the harbor.
 Meantime, in accordance with Vice Ad- mirai Makarofrs order, the battleships and cruisers in the inner harbor slipped anchor. Majestically the Petropavlosk, flying the adniral's flag. steamed through the entrance
 On her appearance the Japanese cruis. CTS turned and fled. The admiral sig nailed the Bayan to return. Then a stream of vari-colored signal flags fut- tered out Brave Bayan."
 By this time the entire Russian squad ron was in the outer harbor. Besides the Petropavlosk. I saw the battleships Peresviet. Poltava, Pobieda and Sevasto- pol the cruisers Novik. Diana and Askold and the torpedo boats. The flags an nouncing the admirals appreciation of the Bayan were hauled down and replaced by another signal Immediately the torpedo l boats dashed ahead and the heavier ships began to spread out
 Seeing the flight of the Japanese cruis- CTS the Petropavlosk opened fire with her great guns, but the enemy was outv of range and soon disappeared. Our squad ron continued the chase, finally fading from view. I waited anxiously for It's reappearance and in about an hour 1t came in sight.
 Far beyond 1t the number of points
 
 presence of the enemy Nearer and near CT came the vessels and at last made out behind the Russian squadron feet O. fourteen, Jf which six were battle ships and the remainder armored and un- armored cruisers. Unable to get within effective range of Vice Admiral Make roffs ships, the enemy stopped eighteen versts from shore.
 The Russian squadron with the Petro- pavlosk leading, arrived at the entrance to the harbor and drew up in line of battle. Another signal was fioated from the flagship and the torpedo boats at once proceeded through the entrance into the inner harbor. Vice Admiral Makaroff was evidently unwilling to risk hls vul- nerable craft to the heavy proJectiles of the enemys armored ships.
 l watched the Peropavlovck close- ly as she steamed toward Electric Cliff. The drowning marine monster, whose guns were ever turning toward the enemy was prepared to send huge messengers of death against him. All was quiet. It was the hush before the battle, the hush when evry nerve Is strained to get into impending danger.
 looked north for the Japanese ships but they were without movement save that caused by. the heaving sea.
 MY BldICt lO LHS ENuS~ sian squadron. The Petropavlovsk was almost without headway when suddenly saw her tremble. She seemed to rise out of the water, a tremendous explosion rent the air, then second and then a third Fragments flew in all directions and wreckage and men were mixed up in a terrible mass I was already able to realize the horror of 1t when the ship began to list Tn a moment the sea seemed to open and the water rushed over The Petropavlvosk had disappear ed 5Af
 The floating woodwork and the few men struggling in the water were was su left to recall the splendid fighting machine, which few hours before had sailed out of the harbor.
 The same shock experienced by the ob- servers on Golden Hin paralyzed for moment the men on the ships, but when it passed torpedo boats and small boats hestened to the rescue of the survivors
 Eager to ascertain what had occurred on board the sunken chip, I hastened to a landing, where small remnsnt of the crew were being put ashore and conveyed 10 a hospital.
 signalman Pochkoff. who was slightly wounded, was able to give me a remark