Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-06-16

favor Of the Japanese gunners, who
with the result that their aim was not
disturbed by the unsteadiness Of the
gun platforms. Further they were
able to take advantage of the expos
ure of the enemy's vital parts occa-
stoned by the rolling and tossing Of the
ships.
The Russians opened fire at at $4,000
metres, but 1t was wholly Ineffective.
The japanese reserved their fire until
the range was 1900 metres, when they
fired six trial snots and scored three
hits.
The Battle Becomes General.
The battle now became general.
The Russians perpetually essayed to
force their way, northward, but the
Japanese, steaming at higher speed,
constantly headed them back, so that
the Russian course described a loop
the ships filing past the Japanese. who
poured in a deadly fire from three d.
rections. Rojestvensky's gunners main
tanned a much higher rate Of fire. but
their projectiles nearly always flew
high or buried themselves in the sea,
evidently owing to the gunners' want
of experience In gunlaying in rough
weather
Before evening five Russian warships
had been sunk, including three battle
ships, which apparently lost their sta
bility, owing to the piercing Of their
water tight compartments on one side
only, and the action Of the fore and
aft bulkheads Meanwhile the Russian
formation had been broken, but the
ships were still confined to the south
east corner Of the Sea Of Japan.
Torpedo Boats unleashed.
Thus far Togo's strategy had worked
perfectly, but the most important part
of his work remained, namely, the loos-
ing Of 16 squadrons Of torpedo boats
upon the Russians during the night,
when they were partially disabled and
confused. There were great fears at
one time that this would be impossible,
as the sea was so rough for torpedo
boats. However, toward evening the
wind and waves subsided, the night
became quiet, and the starlight ex-
ceedingly we'll suited for trn worN OF
the torpedo boats, which rushed In
from three quarters, reserving their
missiles until within 300 metres at the
most, and making a practice so deadly
that It redeemed all previous failures.
Deny Use of Submarines.
The Japanese deny any use Of sub
marines. and the conditions under
which the battle was fought were OBJ
viously uns uited for them. Meanwhile
the Japanese sighting squadrons had
dropped off to the north, leaving the
field free for the torpedo craft. BY
midnight only nine Russians remained
with the formation under Nebogatof.
These struggled northward with tor
pedo boats clinging to their fianks and
constantly stabbing, so that dawn
found only five remaining, the battle
ships Orel and Nikolai. two coast de-
fense ships and the cruiser Izumrud.
| Having lost his bearings owing to
complicated manoeuvres, Admiral Ne
bogatoff decided to steer westward un-
til he picked up some feature of Ko-
rea's coast that he could identity.
i Presently the Izumrud, which was
scouting, reported that she made out
/ toll nlo rnnkQl
whereupon the Russians, recovering
heart, shaped their course for Vladi-
yostok, but almost Immediately they
observed two squadrons of Japanese
approaching at full speed, ahead and
recognized the flags of Togo and Dewa-
Neboeatoff Surrenders.
The Izumrud steamed off at top
speed, but Nebogatoffs ships encum-
bered with wounded, with ammunition
lacking, decided to haul down their
colors. Other still floating fragments
of the Russian fleet were pursued and
destroyed by the Japanese, who had
been organized. in view Of this contin-
gency, into groups Of homogeneous
ships.
The battle shows no novel feature
The Russians fought with devoted
valor, but were outclassed at every
point. Their shooting was incompar-
ably inferior to that of the Japanese
who scored an extraordinary number
of hits with their 12-inch guns. The
Japanese projectiles also were much
more effective than those Of the Rus
SLAMS. Nothing was more notable thar
the Japanese skill in using torpedoes
contrasting markedly with previous IL
success, and evidently resulting from
the special course of training recently
pursued and from the teachings Of ex'
perience.
|