Daily Kennebec journal., 1904-08-23
SHELLS TERRIBLE WORK.
They Smashed the Russian Fleet Right
and Left.

VladiVOStOk, Aug. 22.-Capt Berlln-
ski. who was wounded in the battle
with the japanese squadron, Aug. IA.
was buried, last Wednesday, with most
impressive military honors. Nearly
all the inhabitants of the town attended
the funeral.
Most of the wounded officers now in
the hospital are expected to get we'll
and of the wounded men the recovery
of 312 is now assured.
Vice Admiral Skrydloff has visited
the hospital, complimented the surviv-
ors and distributed among them crosses
of st. George.
The death of Lieut.. Brash of the
cruiser GrOmoboi, is reported to have
been particularly tragic. He was
hurled from the bridge of the cruiser
by the explosion Of shell. Although
mortally wounded the lieutenant pulled
himself together and continued to is
sue orders and encourage the men un-
I'll he was removed between decks. A
man seriously wounded by the same
shell continued doing his duty and did
not report to the surgeons for the
treatment until the next day.
The Gromoboi and the ROssia present
n battered appearance. Their smoke
stacks show great rents, while the
masts, bridges and ventilatOrs look like
sieyes and there are marks of battle
everywhere Guns are diSmantled.
boats shattered and there are enormous
holes in the cruisers hulls through
which a man could easily pass. Many
of the cabins We're completely wrecked.
Some of the Japanese shells per-
N ROCSll
a shell burst in clothes cupboard. Gar
ments therein were torn to shreds, but
a mirror was not scratched. Photo
graphs and knicknacks on writing
table nearby were not disturbed. In an
other part of the cruiser the walls were
blackened by the smoke of fierce nre
in which eight men were burned allve,
vet an almanac on the wall was not
even scratched.
Aboard the Gromoboi a shell entered
the wardroom and wrecked the furni-
ture, but q parrot cage was untouched.
All the officers are full of praise for
the GOODNESS and bravery of the men
who died in the battle without a MUIR
mur. Comrades took their places with
out awaiting orders. 1t was deadly
work on the upper deck where the gun
ners We're without protection and shells
striking burst into a thousand frag-
ments killing and wounding men until
the deck became q veritable shambles-
strewn with dead and dying and slip
perry with blood. Not a single gunner
protected by casemates lost his life
The value Of protective armor was
demonstrated whenever projectiles
struck the armored portions of the ves-
sells.
There were many deeds of heroisn
during the five-hours' battle. but the
greatest praise of all belongs to Capt
Dabich Of the Gromoboi, who remained
at his post on the bridge from the be-
ginning to the end of the fight. Wher
wounded In the back he persisted ir
resuming command directly after the
wound had been dressed: but yieldinf
to the entreaties of his officers, ht
sought shelter in the coming tower
No sooner had he entered than shell
struck the foot of the tower, glancinf
upward to the overhanging cover and
entered through the peep hole, killing
lieutenant and two quartermasters
woundng two lieutenants and again
wounding Capt. Dabich in the head ant
breast. Not a single man in the toweI
escaped. There being no one to stee
the ship, the captain severely wounded
though he was, dragged himself to th'
wheel and managed 1t until anothe
quartermaster had been summoned.
Subsequently learning that the mel
were depressed by the fact that he hat
been wounded a second time the cap
tain insisted after the second dressin,
on being supported along the decks t,
the casemates. encouraging the sailors
saying, II am alive, brothers. Go ol
smashing the japanese"
When Capt. Andreiff. of the Rossi
ascertained that only three out of he
big guns could be fired he coolly CAV
ORDERS TO get explosives in readiness t
sink the ship.
capt Andreiff is unusually neryou
nut IN battle he was cool as a cucun,
oef' When not giving orders he wa