Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-30
SUNK OR CAPTU RED
NEBoGATOFF'S SQUADRON WAS
TO TURN TIDE OF BATTLE.

Rear Admiral Nebogatoff's entire third
Pacific squadron was either captured or
sunk in the battle. Not one of his fighting
ships escaped and he himself is a pris-
oner.
He made a voyage of two months and
twerty-four days TO reinforce Rojestven-
sky's fleet, and after escaping the dangers
of storms and without causing a single pro-
test as to violation of neutrality. safely eff
fected junction with the fleet under Ro-
jeStVenSky.
Naval officers figure that the loss OF his
squadron is due only to two possible causes
either he taking desperate chances
and bearing the brunt OF the fighting or
else his ships were obsolete and unsea-
worthy and not in first-class condition, as
has so often been reported.
The battle ship Nicholas |, according TO
a report from Admiral Togo, was run
aground and captured. As this was the
only battle ship in his squadron. IT is sup
posed that before going into battle he re-
linquiSied command Of the scout squadron
TO which he was assigned by ROiestvensky
early in this month and resumed COM
mand of his squadron with this battle
ship as his flagship.
The coast defense ironclads of his fleet,
Admirals Apraksin and Senavine, were cap
tured after having run aground and the
Admiral Oushakoff was sunk
The armored cruiser Vladimir Monomach
was captured by the japanese but founder
ed after capture.
Admiral Nebogatoff was given command
of the Third Pacific Squadron Immediately
after the fall of Port Arthur.
Ships He Started With.
This squadron consisted Of the battle ship
Nicholas I, the coast defense ironclads Ad-
niral Apraksin, Admiral Oushakoff and
Senavine; the armored cruiser Vladimir
Monomach, and the auxiliary cruisers. Russ
and Xenia. Accompanying this squadron
were a number of Golfers and supply
boats.
The suuafron waS NOT repa rdad h,y pa,,aI
experts as being in particularly fine con-
dition, but it was admitted that 1t would
be valuable adjunct to Admiral Rojest-
yensky's feet
After being refitted and put in as good
condition possible the squadron sailed
from Libau on February 1G
Nine days later 1t was reported passing
Dover off the coast of England steaming
west.
The squadron sailed under strict orders
to avoid the friction over neutrality. The
undertaking was even greater than that Of
the Baltic fleet Nebogatoff did not have
the first-class ships that Rojestvensky had,
and he was laboring under the added dis
advantage of having to go over the same
course Rojestvensky, who had caused
the complaints of violations of neutrality
by remaining IN neutral ports longer than
is countenanced under International law.
Nebogatom made the whole voyage with
out causing a complaint
The third Pacific squadron was reported
off the Island of Crete March 81 and on
the next day reached Port SAID, where IL
recoaIed and took on board moderate sup
plies of provisions. Two days later the
squadron sailed south from Suez
Rojestvensky, who had command OF the
navy IN the Pacific. divided his fleet, May
49, giving Nebogatoff comman nd of the light
cruiser division. composed of the fast scout
ships and converted merchantmen For.
the past two or three weeks Nepogaton mas
been directing the scouting. .
He is given much credit for taking his
squadron to the far east by naval experts,
I'D 70 cpa
founder because of unseaworthiness. The
greater part of his squadron consisted OF
old and obsolete warships, slow OF speed
and without the latest improvements. 1t
was said when he sailed that the crews OF
his vessels were even more inefficient than
those furnished Rojestvensky's fleet.