The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-06-03
STORY OF NAVAL BATTLE
TOGO Out .MsnoeuVred and out-Fought
Russian Fleet.


who has returned to Sasebo gives the
following account of the sea fight OF
the Tsu Islands
AT $50 Saturday morning a wireless
message reading The enemys squad
ron IS in sight reached the naval base
This message was transmitted to al
our ships by the flagship. with inatruc
tons to get ready for action. Our
squadron left their rendezvous and
headed for the eastern channel off Tsn-
shima.
During the manoeuvre the Russian
flagship appeared 10 the southwark at
las O'Clock The Russians steamed up
in double column The fleet was numer-
GUS. but no living being was visible.
The Russian ships appeared TO be in
good order Our ships hoisted the flag
of action. the Mikasa signalling The
defense of our empire depends upon
this action You are expected TO do
your utmost. Our men seemed TO 81
lently weigh the significance OF this
signal.
Our first and second divisions turn
ed to the Russians starbOard. while
the third division kept in close touch
with the preceding two divisions With
the japanese ships proceeding in this
order. it was 213 O'Clock when the Rus
SLAMS opened fire The first two shots
fell short Of our line. and il was some
minutes before We commenced firing
Then the battle was on. with firing
from both sides.
I'VE so manoeuvred our ships as to
have their bows paralleled to the north
side OF the Russian line. The engage
ment now became very fierce. The Bor
odino was seen to be on fire. A little
later the Russians headed west. and we
changed our course accordingly. Five
ships of our second division concen-
trated their fire on the BOrodino. Our
first division now began firing vigor-
ously. proceeding parallel with the
Russian line. and as we began TO press
against the head Of the Russian line
our third division veered to the Rus
sian rear, thus enyelOping their ships.
1.-The engagement proceeded holly.
Our second division followed course
parallel with the northern side Of the
Russians, and this movement complet-
ed the development. Thus enclosed on
all sides, the Russians were helpless
and powerless TO escape the circle. Fol
lowing instructions, the fifth destroyer
flotilla advanced against Russian
ship. upon which the second division
had been concentrating its fire. sig
mailing: We are going to give the last
thrust at them
"The Russian ship continued to
fight. and seeing the approaching tor
pedo boats directed its fire on them.
The torpedo fotilla arrived within 200
metres of the Russian ship. and the
Shiramus fired the first shot. Two
other torpedo boats fired one each. The
Shiramus received two shells, but the
other boats were not damaged. The
Russian ship was completely sunk.
Shutdown saw the battle raging furi-
ously. Our shells were evidently telling
on the Russians, who showed signs Of
confusion. Our fifth torpedo fotilla,
after destroying the Borodino. followed
in the wake of our second division, the
signal reading: Something like the
Russians submarines have been sight
ed Attack them
"The fiotilla followed and located the
object, which proved to be a sinking
ship, with its overturned bottom show
ing Thirty survivors chung to the
wreck, crying for assistance. Firing
ceased with the approach of darkness.
According to orders previously
given for a torpedo attack after dark,
all the destroyer flotilla, dividing into
two squadrons. proceeded to attack the
Russians during the whole night The
Russians frustrated the first and sec
ond attacks with searchlights. A third
attempt was carefully made, and the
Yugiri sank a ship of the Borodino
type and also hit others. The Russian
ships headed northeast after daybreak,
hoping to reach Vladivostok Our Off
GERS and men were determined that not
a ship should escape, and resolved not
to relax their efforts until they had
succeeded in either sinking or captur-
ing every Russian ship.
"Our ships always kept ahead of the
Russians. The battle was resumed at 9
O'Clock Sunday morning, IL miles east
OF Chiyupon bay, and lasted all day.
Here the Russians suffered their heav-
lest losses. They seemed unprepared
to repei night attacks. During our first
night attack the Russians showed nine
searchlights and frustrated the attacks.
but clearly gave us the location Of the
| feet, which brought success later"