The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1905-06-03
STORY OF
THE DEFEAT
Russians Enveloped by Jap
anese Ships.
RENDERED POWERLESS
Torpedo Boats Began Their Work on
Inside of Revolving circle-Rus-
slams Suffered Most Heavily
on Sunday.

Toxic, julie 3.-A japanese officer
who has returned to Sasebo gives the
following account of the sea fight off
the Tsu islands:
AT $3.50 o'clock Saturday morning
a wireless message read;
1.-The enemy's squadron is in sight
and has reached the naval base.'s
This message was transmitted to all
our ships by the flagship, with instruc-
tions to get ready for action. Cur
squadron left their rendezvous and head
ed for the eastern channel off Tsu
Shima. Our men seemed to be filled
with new inspiration and were eager for
the long delayed fight to begin.
When Tsu Shima was sighted to the
southwest the sea was rough and the
torpedo boats were forced TO run for
the shelter of the island. Our third
fighting squadron, with the Takashiho
to port, reconnoitered the Russian
main squadron by wireless telegraph
that the Russian ships We're passing
into the east channel, whereupon our
main squadron, changing its course
somewhat to the southwark, came in
sight of 0ki Shima at / o'clock in the
afternoon
"The third division arrived later and
joined the main squadron. The first
and second divisions, accompanied BY
the destroyer fiotilla, changed to a west
erly course, while the third division
and fourth destroyer fiotilla headed
slightly eastward. During the manoeu-
yer the Russian flagship appeared to
the southwark at 1:45 O'Clock. The
Russians steamed up in double col
llmn.
The fleet was numerous, but no liv-
ing being was visible. The Russian ships
seemed to be in good order. Our ships
hoisted the flag of action, the Mikasa
signalling: The destiny Of our EN-
pire depends upon this action. You are
all expected TO do your utmost Our
men seemed to silently weigh the sig
niticance of this signal
Our first and second divisions turn
ed to the Russian starboard, while the
third division kept in close touch with
the preceding two divisions. With the
Japanese ships proceeding in this order,
it was 2:13 o'clock when the Russians
opened fire The first two shots fell
short of our line and it was some min
utes before we began firing. Then the
battle was on, with firing from both
sides Our destroyers kept on the port
side Of the main squadron and in this
formation we pressed the Russians
against the coast Of Kiusbi and they
We're obliged to change their course toI
the east.
''NVe so manoeuvered our ships as to
have their bows parallel to the north
side Of the Russian line. The Mikasa,
of our first division, which had been
leading, changed to the rear Of the line,
while the Kasuga headed the line. The
engagement now became very fierce
The Borodino was seen to be ON fire
Five ships of our second division con-
centrated their fire on the Borodino.
Our first division now began firing Wig
orously, proceeding parallel with the
Russian line, and as we began to press
against the head Of the Russian line
our third division yeered to the Rus
sian rear, thus enyeloping their ships.
The engagement proceeded holly.
Our second division followed course
parallel with the northern side of the
Russians, this movement completing the
The Russian ships were
seen trying to break through, and our
destroyers intercepted their new course.
This state of affairs continued until the
following day, with the ships at vary
ing distances.
Thus inclosed ON all sides, the Rus
slams were helpless and powerless to
Escape the circle. Previous instructions |
mad been given the torpedo boats to |
attack the Russian ships. Following |
the fifth destroyer fotilla |
advanced against Russian ship, upon |
which the second division had been con.
sentrating its fire, signaling, We are
going to give the last thrust at them.
THE Russian ship continued to fight,
md seeing the approaching torpedo
boats, directed its fire on them. Tn
launted, our destroyers pressed forward,
he Chitose meantime continuing its fire.
The torpedo fotilla arrived within 200
meters Of the Russian ship and the Shira-
lul fired the first shot. Two other tor
'edo boats fired one each. The Shira-
lul received two shells, but the other
'oats were not damaged. The Russian
hip was completely sunk.
SHUTDOWN saw the battle raging furi-