Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-27

within range and that they were not to
waste powder The Chinese opened fire
when over four land miles away. The Japa-
nese steamed ahead in face of the fire and
did not open up with their guns until half
the distance between the two fleets had been
covered. They at first advanced toward the
enemy's center, where the massive men-of-
war were steaming ahead. Then they
changed their course and attacked the two
smaller vessels on the right of the Chinese
column. The japanese vessels continued to
attack the smaller vessels until within
about mile of them One of these vessels,
the Chea- Yung caught fire and soon after
ward sank. This attacks had been by the
flying squadron of the japanese. which was
then ordered to return to the main squad
ron. ~
In the meantime the main squadron ad--
vanced to near the Chinese, whose vessels
were so close together they feared collision
with each other and had to cease firing.
The Chinese torpedo boats appear to have
done little or nothing during the action. The
great battle ship Ting-yuen attacked the
Hitei and sent shell into the wardroom,
killing great number of officers and men,
A Damaging Fire.
There was damaging fire on both sides.
At about o'clock the Japanese squadron
in their circular course was divided in such
a way as to have the Chinese between them.
two Of the largest japanese vessels finding
themselves facing each other. Then occur
red the fiercest encounter OF the whole bat
tie A fire broke out on the Ting-Yuen. the
7OO0-ton flagship Of the Chinese. Half an
hour later the Chih-yuen, 2,300-ton vessel
of the Chinese, was sunk, going down In i've
minutes amid cheers from the japanese.
About the same time a shell from the
Chinese flagship struck the Matsushima,
knocking down the fourth gun from It's
supports, exploding on her heap of am
munition and killing wounding sixty
TNyrn a
the same time, and a fire broke out on tho
MatsuShima, which was put out at once.
1t became necessary to put the band play
ers to the guns, but the courage of the
men, remaining after forty of their COM
rades had been killed, seemed to be in
creased.
A shell falling near a magazine, a gun
ner's mate and an ordinary seaman were
in imminent peril for their lives but de-
spite the warning of their comrades they
refused to leave their places. These two
men stripped themselves and crammed
their clothing into openings in the maya
zine, through which they feared fire would
creep into the explosives. Their prompt ac-
ton saved the Matsushima.
Chinese Were Also Brave.
On the side Of the Chinese equal bravery
was shown. even IL there were less skill,
although some cowardice was charged at
terward. During the fire on the Ting-yuen
her sister ship. the Chen-yuen, did not de-
sert her. and it was due to the skillful
maneuvers of the latter that the flagship
Gid not suffer more. It was on these big
battle ships that the entire strength of the
Japanese fleet was exerted after the battle
had been waged short time. Onlyone of
the guns of the Japanese could penetrate
the 14-inch armor of the big Chinese
ships.
AS the battle waged. and at nearly 5
o'clock, the 2.900-ton Chinese man-of-war
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plosion, sank. It was now close to sunset
and the Japanese deemed night battle Of
disadvantage, as the torpedo boats had
Joined the Chinese squadron and were near
the battle ships.
The Matsushima was sent to the adj
miralty port of Kure. the admirars flag
being transferred to her sister ship, the
Hashidate. The Japanese decided to wait
until morning and to look for the effemy
at Wei-hai-wei, to which place they be-
lieved them to be bound, but at dawn they
failed to catch sight of. them
Looking for the Chinese.
Early on the 18th the Japanese squadron
returned to the scene of the previous days
battle. Then they looked about for the
enemy until they were satisfied they were
in Port Arthur.
Among the japanese men-of-war the
most damaged were the Matsushima and
the Hiyei. The battery of the Matsushima
was penetrated from one side to the other,
and another shell struck in pile of more
than hundred Shells. causing fire which.
however. was promptly extiDguished. Over
sixty were, killed or wounded. The shell
with which the Hiyei was struck penetrated
one side and exploded on the lower deck,
destroying the aft mast and causing a fire.
At the same time several men were killed
or wounded. Six other of the Japanese
vessels were. damaged.
On the Japanese side there were Killed
and wounded twenty aix officers and two
hundred and sixty-eight men. OF these
thirteen officers and enc hundred and nine
men died. There were killed or wounded
on every Japanese ship except one.
Chinese Injuries.
On the Chinese side the Chao-yunx re-