Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-06-06
THE FIGHT IN DETAIL.
Japanese Officer Tells About Great
Naval Battle.

Naval Battle.
A Japanese officer, who has returned
to Sasebo, says Toxic dispatch, gives
the following account Of the sea fight
off the Tsu Islands:
"At $50 Saturday morning a wire
less message reading: The enemy's
squadron is in sight reached the ma
val base. This message was transmit
ted to all our ships by the flagship,
with orders to get ready for action.
Our squadron left their rendezvous and
headed for the eastern channel on
Tsuhima. Our men seemed to be filled
with new inspiration and were eager
for the long-delayed fight to begin.
when Tsuhima was sighted to the
southwest the sea was rough and the
torpedo boats were forced to -rilnH Tor
the shelter Of the island. Our third
fighting squadron with the Takashiho
to port reconnoitered the Russian fleet,
and at 11.30 a. m, informed the main
squadron by wireless telegraph that
the Russian ships were passing Into
the east channel, whereupon our main
squadron. changing its course some-
what to the southwark. came In sight
of Okinshima at o'clock In the after
noon. The third division arrived later
and Joined the main squadron. The
first and second divisions, accompanied
by the destroyer fiotilla changed to
westerly course, while the third d.
vision and the fourth destroyer f1otilla
headed slightly eastward.
During the maneouvre the Russian
flagship appeared to the southwark at
Las o'clock The Russians steamed up
in double column. The feet was nu-
merous, but no living being was visi-
BILE. The Russian ships seemed to be
in good order. Our ships hoisted the
flag of action, the Mikasa signalling
the destiny Of our empire depends
upon this action. You are all expect
ed to do your utmost Our men SEEM
ed to silently weigh the significance Of
his signal.
Our first and second divisions
turned to the Russian starboard, while
the third division kept In close touch
with the preceding two divisions. With
the Japanese ships proceeding In this
order, It was 2.13 o'clock when the
Russians opened fire. The first two
sho.s fell short Of our line and 1t was
some minutes later before we COM
menced firing. Then the battle was on
with firing from both sides. Our de-
stroyers kept on the port side OF the
main squadron and in this formation
we pressed the Russians against the
coast Of Kiushiu and they were OBJ
liged to change their course to the east.
I'VE 80 manoeuvred our ships as to
have their bows paralleled to the rorth
side of the Russian line. The Milkasa,
of our first division. which should be
leading, changed to the rear OF the
Inc, while the Kasuga headed the line.
The engagement now became very
fierce The Borodino was seen to be
on fire. A little later the Russians
heads were turned and we changed our
course accordingly. Five ships of our
second division concentrated their fire
on the Borodino. Our first division
now began firing vigorously, proceed
ing parallel with the Russian line ana
as we began to press against the head
of the Russian line our division Veered
to the Russian rear, thus enveloping
their ships.
"The engagement proceeded hotly
Our second division followed course
parallel with the northern side OF the
Russians. and this movement complet-
ed the development. The Russian
ships were seen trying to break
through and our destroyer flotilla In
tercepted their new course. This state
of development continued until the
following day, with the ships at vary
ing distances. Thus enclosed on all
Sides the Russians were helpless and
powerless to escape the cycle. Previ-
Gus instructions had been given the
destroyers and torpedo boats to attack
the Russian ships. Following instruc-
tions the fifth destroyer flotilla ad-
vanced against a Russian ship upon
which our division had been concen-
trating its fire, signalling: We are
going to give the last thrust at Them
THE Russian ship continued to fight
and seeing the approaching torpedo
boats, directed its fire upon them. I'm
daunted, our destroyers pressed for
ward, the Chitose meantime continuing
its fire. When the torpedo fiotilla ar
rived within 200 metres of the Russian
ships the Shiranus fired the first shot