Palestine daily herald. [volume] (Palestine, Tex.) 1902-1949, 1904-12-20
ATTACK ON LAST
RUSSIAN SHIP
Effective Bombarding Done by the
Torpedoboat Flotillas.
TOGO TELLS ABOUT IT
Japanese. Vice Admiral In q Graphic
Manner Relates Attacks Made on
the Russian Turre. Ship
- and the Result.

Toxic, Dec. 20-vice Admiral Togo's
report upon the torpedo fiotilla's oper-
ations against the Russian turret ship
Sevas' 0pol was received. 1t says: ION
the night of Dec. IA our torpedo fiotil-
las made a gallant and brave series OF
attacks against the Russian turret ship
Sevastopol. The fiotillas arrived out
side the entrance to Port Arthur about
midnight on that date. The leading
flotilla under Commander Uuchida and
special torpedoboat. partly for attack
and partly to rcconnoiter approached
the SevastopoI at / o'clock and under
searchlights and fire of the enemy's
ed her. The shells struck Commander
Milamura's torpedoboat and about four
snots hit Commander Nakahara's boat
wounding three sailors. Subsequently
our fiotillas attacked. acting independ-
entity. Flotilla A, Commander Kasa-
ma, advanced first for the purpose of
destroying the defenses protecting the
Sevastopol and also to draw and d.
vert under the enemy's searchlights.
Fiotilla B, Commander Jinguji fotil-
Ia c. Commander Otski; flotilla d,
Commander Seki. and fotiila E. Com
ma1der Kawase. approached success
lively and bravely continued their at
lacks from 2 until 4 o'clock in the
morning. Commander otski's fiotilla
approached the closest and delivered
the most vigorous attacks. While re-
treating one torpedoboat received sew
eral shots simultaneously. her COM
mander. Lieutenant Nakahori, and five
others being killed. The boat lost
freedom of motion and Lieutenant Ma
kahara's boat went to the rescue and
despite heavy fire. endeavored to save
her. While towing the boat the enc
my's shells shattered the hawser. Lieu
tenant Nakahara's boat also was hit
and one man killed. Subsequently sew
eral shells hit and almost disabled
Lieutenant Nakahara's boat, forcing
him to abandon his comrade ship.
which was sinking. Lieutenant Naka-
hara, however. steamed back and res
cued the crew and abandoned the tor
pedoboat to its fate. Commander Ka-
vases boat. belonging to hte same flo
tilla. was struck by a shell. killing one
OF the crew and wounding Lieutenant
Takashahi and two sailors Lieuten-
ant Stano's boat was hit and one OF
the crew killed and FIVE wounded. The
boat was temporarily disabled. but the
comrade ships with Lieutenants Wa
taeabe and Mort commandin. protected
and rescued her. All the other boats
were bravely facing the .enemy's fire
and succeeded in delivering attacks
without suffering any damage. The
result of the attacks Is not definitely
known. although II is evident numer-
Gus torpedoes took effect.
THE watch tower. reporting on the
following morning, said the Sevastopol
had lowered her bows considerably. |
facing toward the south southeast. |
Her condition is such that she does
not change position In the current. She |
anchored close inshore in shallow wa
ter
1T is a source OF satisfaction that |
our torpedo attacks were delivered |
without the least confusion. Each boat
rendered material assistance to its |
comrades. Skillful maneuvering and |
bravery OF officers and men inspired |
me with deep feeling Of satisfaction
and confidence"