The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-01
JAPANESE LOST NO SAILORS
IN LATEST NAVAL FEAT
Men on Transports Escaped in
Second Attempt to Bottle Up
Port Arthur.
PLAN NOT ABANDONED

LONDON. April IA correspondent of
the Times at sea, in wireless telegram via
Wei-Hai-Wei, describing the latest attempt
of the japanese to bottle up Port Arthur,
says:
after the bombardment of March p
Vice Admiral Togo waited until better
weather before reattempting to bottle up
Port Arthur. The officers who conducted
the first attempt insisted on the right to
complete their work. The admiral con-
scented and the same officers were chosen.
but the crews and stokers were selected
from new volunteers.
1.-THE moon disappeared at midnight and
the sea was like glass when the desperate
enterprise was begun When within two
miles OF the goal the frenzied motions of a
searchlight showed that suspicion had been
awakened and suddenly a solitary gun an
nounced that the Japanese had been dis
covered. The Russians sprang to the guns
of the batteries and In three minutes the
japanese craft were inclosed in a semi
circle of gun flashes. The sea was churned
to turmoil by falling shells. but there was
no hesitation. The torpedo boats opened
out and the transports. with men standing
at the lifeboat stations. steered directly into
the inferno There was then only mile
to traverse and the safety fuses were ready.
ut was just $3.50 in the morning when the
steamer Chiyo, with a searchlight beating
upon her and she a target for hundred
guns, led toward the east side Of the en-
trance The fuses were set and the crew
pushed off just in time. 1t was a moment
of suspense. The charge exploded, sinking
her one hundred yards from the east side
of the entrance Golden hill)
The Fukui next passed on the port side
of the Chiyo and dropped anchor. Just as
the officers and crew pushed clear there
was A dull explosion. She had been struck
and sunk in the exact place which the Jap
anese desired by torpedo from within the
harbor.
$50 close were the defending destroyers
that the Yeneyama was fouled by Russian
DESTROYER and her crew scorched by the
flame of the discharge from Russian six
eft was a horrible melee but the Japanese
kept their presence of mind throughout and
their steadiness was shown by the fact that
before she had been fouled by the destroyer
the Yeneyama passed to starboard OF the
Chiyo and then between her and the Fukui
and reached the center of the channel
where she was hit by torpedo, which
sank her on the west side OF the channel
her bow pointing toward short Not man
of the Transports crew was drowned.
1.-THE enterprise failed to block the channel
because there were only four transports
1t is probable. however, tnat the cndnnel
has been rendered impracticable for the
large batteships and 1t is certain that the
japanese will not rest until the channel
has been closed.
1.-THE maneuver was covered by torpedo
division which, running in close endeavored
TO draw the fire of the land batteries from
the main enterprise. This division re-
manned in action until all the crews were
rescued and just before daybreak was en-
gaging a Russian destroyer. which re-
mained the entrance line firing torpedoes
during the night. The scream OF escaping
steam proclaimed that the Russian boat
had been damaged I'm her vitals.
AT daybreak the fotilla drew off under
cover of the fleet, which was waiting ten
miles outside"
In conclusion the correspondent describes
the bravery and death of Commander Hi
rose who had recently been promoted for
sinking the Tokohu furthest up the en-
trance to Port Arthur on Feb. "a, and Of
whom he says the japanese are justly
proud.