Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-08-09

enemy's formation continued dis
ordered and many of the ships in the
rear caught fire. The smoke arising
from these vessels was swept by a
southerly wind and entirely enveloped
the enemy. already wrapped in fog.
In consequence of this our main fight
ing squadron was obliged to suspend
its fire for a while.
"On our side various ships sus-
tanned damage. The Asama was struck
by three shells at the water line near
the stern, her steering gear was dam
aged and she sprung a leak. She
had to leave the fighting line tenn
porarily, but having Professionally eff
tected repairs, shortly afterward re-
entered the action.
All Settled in 81 Minutes.
"Such being the condition OF the
fighting between the two main forces.
victory or defeat was practically
settled at quarter to 3 O'Clock p. m,
that is, in a period of about thirty
seven minutes Our main force, still
forcing the enemy to the south, fired
desultorily at him whenever he was
discovered amid the smoke and fog.
Near 5 o'clock p. m. we appeared
directly in his path, almost on south
easterly course, but suddenly he turn
ed through nearly sixteen points to
the northward and seemed to be at
tempting an escape to the north by
doubling on our rear. Again we turn
ed the enemy to the south, fiercely
firing at him. At seven minutes past
3 o'clock D. m. the enemy's Jemtchug
dashed toward the rear of our ar
mored cruiser squadron, but was con-
siderably damaged by gun fire.
1.-THE Oslabya, which had already
been placed hors de combat, was sunk
at $40 p. m. The Kniaz SouvaroT
was badly damaged. having lost one
mast and TWO tunnels. Hel huh was
enveloped in smoke and flames ALI
she soon became helpless AZ the
other ships of the enemy were now
scattered in disorder and, suffering
from still heavier fire, again IT.
tempted an easterly course, whereup
on the vessels of our squadron again
turned Simultaneously to the risht by
sixteen points. persistently attacking
with guns and occasionally launching
torpedoes.
Until about 4:45 p m. no material
change was seen in tho engagement
of TIE main force. During that in
terya. brave deeds which are worth
specially recording were performed
by the Chihaya and the destroyer
notillas, which delivered bold attacks
on the disabled battle ship Souvaroff.
One torpedo certainly struck the
enemy on the port side toward the
stern, and she was seen Immediately
to list through ten degrees. During
these two attacks the Shiranui of the
Hirose destroyer f1otilla and the
Asashio Of the Suzuki fiotilla were
heavily fired on by the enemy's neigh
boring ships, and each was hit by
she'll"
Admiral Togo says the Russians
tfen attempted to escape to the south
ward, closely pursued in the smoke
and fog by his ships. The UraI.
special service vessel. was sunk, ard
then tie Russians again turned north.
The Japanese fire increased in preci-
sion as the Russian aim grew poorer,
and battleship of the Borodinu type
Was seen to break into flames and
sink after an explosion.
The vessels of the armored cruiser
squadron, pursuing the Russian
cruiser further north, saw another
5attleship of the same type capsize
and sink.
AS soon as night fell the Japanese
torpedo boats and destroyers began
their attack, supported by the detach-
meiits under Vice Admirals Dawa and
Uriu and Rear Admiral Togo 1.-THE
younger) and by the cruiser squadron
under Vice Admiral katoaka.
The Russians were enveloped on
three sides and, alive to their dan
ger, fed southwark an again changed
their course to the east.
On the Run.
The first attack lasted from Sis I'M
til IL O'Clock. Admiral Togo says
From sunset until this hour the
enemy had defended himself to the
utmost by gunfire an searchlights, but
finally he was compelled to give
way 70 our attack His ships lost
sight Of each other and separately
sought to escape. terrible battle
ensued which, at the close. resulted
in the complete loss of the fighting
and navigating capacity of the Slssoi
Feliky, the Admiral Nakhimof and
the Mnnomach, all of which were sue
cessfuIly torpeoed. Three Japan
csc torpedo boats were damaged
either by gunfire or by collision"
At dawn on the second Cay, May 20,
the cruiser squadron discovered the
main force of the remaining enemy to
the east. heading northward and east
ward. The Japanese main fighting
an armored cruiser squadrons at
once pressed upon the Russian line.
The Togo rear admiraD and Uriu
fighting attachments also joined the
cruiser squadron and threatened the