The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1905-07-11
suBDIvIDED FLEET.

SUBDIVIDED FLEET.
commence fighting, the Dewa, Uryu
and Togo (MasamichD fighting detach-
ments, as well as the cruiser Squadron,
separating themselves from our main
fleet, steamed south in rever ed lines
with the enemy on the port side, and
threatened. in accordance with the
pre-arranged plan, the rear of the Rus-
sian fleet. consisting of special service
ships and the cruisers Oleg, Aurora.
Sveitlana, Almaz, Dmitri Donsl<oi,
Vladimir Monomach, etc. At 2:45 p.
m. the Dewa and Uryu detachments,
maintaining touch with each other,
first opened fire in reversed lines upon
the Russian cruiser squadron, and
gradually making a detour to the
enemy's right across the rear, then
opened fire in parallel lines. Awaiting
themselves Of their superior speed,
these detachments frequently put
about their heads and appeared now to
the enemy's left and then to the right.
thus continuing the attack for some 30
minutes. The Russian rear detach-
ments were thus gradually thrown into
disorder, and the special service ships,
after repeatedly changing their course,
were at a loss as to their own disposi-
ton. In the meanwhile. a little after
3 p. M, a vessel of the Aurora type
rushed out of the enemy's line and
threatened to attack our forces, whose
fierce fire, however, succeeded in re-
pulsing her with heavy damage. At
about $40 p. m. three Russian destroy
ers again dashed toward us, but We're
easily driven off before they could do
anything.
The joint attack of the Dewa and
iUryu detachments showed remark
able development by 4 p. m. The rear
completely routed and had become sep
arated from one another. All their
vessels had sustained more or less
damage and some special service ships
had already been disabled.
About 4;20 p. m. the Uryu detach-
ment observed a two-funnelled Russian
special service ship with three masts
tpossibly the Anajir?) standing alone,
and Immediately sank her. Another
special service vessel with four masts
and one funnel (probably the Irtish)
was then sighted by the same detach-
ment, which opened fire and almost
destroyed her. BY this time the
cruiser squadron of the Togo detach-
ment had arrived, and they at once
Joined the Dewa and Uryu detachments
in attacking the already routed Russian
cruisers and special service ships. At
4:40 p. m. four Russian battleships Cor
coast defense ships), pressed from the
north by our main fleet, arrived and
Joined the Russian cruisers, so that the
Uryu detachment and cruiser squadron
were for a time engaged at a short dis
tance in an arduous fight with a power
| full enemy. AS a result all the sels
of these two squadrons sustained dam
ages, which, however, were fortunately
not serious.
| Prior to this. the Kasagi. flagship OF
the Dewa detachment, was struck be-
low the water-line at the bunker on
the port side and commenced to leak
badly. She was obliged to retire to
smooth water, where she could be tenn
porarily repaired. Vice-Admiral Dewa
transferred to Rear-Admiral Uryu the
command of the whole detachment
with the exception Of the Kasagi and
Chitose, which under the command of
the former arrived at Aburadani Bay
at 6 p m. Hosting his flag. on the Chi
tose, Vice-Admiral Dewa issued from
the same bay in the evening and
steamed north, but the Kasagi was I'M
able to take part in the engagement
the following day, as her repairs could
not be executed in time.
The Naniwa, flagship OF the Uryu
detachment. had also been hit below
the water-line in the after part, and at
about $40 p, m. she was compelled to
retire for repairs.
BY this time the enemy had been
thrown into complete disorder, both in
the south and north. At $3.50 p. m.
our armored cruiser squadron. parting
from the main forces attacked the
enemy's cruisers from the south. Al
the same time the enemy's warships
fed in groups TO the northward, and
were pursued by the Uryu and Togo
detachments and the cruiser squadron.