The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1905-06-21

covering his stern on the same side
while the decoy squadron, strongl
reinforced, threatened his starboard
The Russians Immediately formed i
double column, line ahead. The cas-
column was led by the battleshi
Imperator Alexander, the west lin
was composed OF cruisers, while th
auxiliarieS were between the column
in the rear.
The sea now was very rough, with
strong southwest wind blowing, s.
that the japanese had not only tn
benefit Of the sun at their backs, bu
were also assisted by the heavy smok
which poured down upon the Russians
The heavy seas, too, were enlnentl,
in favor OF the japanese gunners, Wit
habitually practice in stormy weathe
with the refult that their aim wa
not disturbed by the unsteadiness o
the gun platform. Further they were
able to take advantage Of the expos
ure Of the enemy's vital parts occa
stoned by the rolling and tossing o!
the ships.
The Russians opened fire at 12,o0(
metres. but it was wholly Ineffective
The japanese reserving their fire until
the range was ! 800 metres, when they
fred six trial shots and sc2red three
hits.
The battle now became general
The Russians perpetuallY essayed t
force their way northwa7d, but tn;
japanese, steaning at a higher speed
constantly headed them back, so that
the Russian course described a loop
the ships fling past the japanese whC
poured in a deadly fire from three di
rections. Rojestvensky's gunners
maintained much higher rate Of fire
but their projectiles nearly always
few high or buried themselves in the
sea, evidently owing to the gunners
want Ct experience in gunlaying II
rough weather.
Before evening FIVE Russian warships
had been sunk, including three battle
ships, which apparently lost their
stability, owing to the piercing Of
their water tight compartments or
ane side only, and the action Of the
fore and aft bulkheads. Meanwhile
the Russian formation had been bro
ken, but the ships were still conhneo
to the southeast corner Of the Sea 0.
Japan.
Thus far Togo's strategy had work
cd perfectly, but the most important
part OF his work remained, namely,
the loosing OF 16 squsdrons Of torpedo
boats upon the Russians during the
night, when their were partially dis
abled and confused. There were great
fears at cne time that this would bs
impossible, as the sea was too rough
for torpedo boats. However, to owardS
evening the wind and waves subsided,
the night became q liet, and the star.
light exceedingly well suited for The
work of the torpedo boats, which
rushed in from three q larters, re
serving their missiles until within 300
metres at the most, and making
practice SC deadly that it redeemed
all previous failures.
The Japanese deny any use OF sub
marines, aud the conditions under
which the battle was fought were OBJ
viously unsuited for them, Meanwhile
the japanese sighting squadrons hao
dropped of to the north, leaving the
field free for the torpedo craft. By
midnight only nine Russians remain
ed with the formation under Neboga.
tof. These struggled northward with
torpedo boats clinging to their fanks
and constantly Stabbing, so that dawn
found only five remaining, the battle
ships Orel and Nikolai, two coast de.
Tense ships and the cruiser lzumrud.
Having lost bis bearings owing to
complicated manoeuveres, Admiral
Neoogatofr decided TO steer westward
Until he picked up scne feature Of
Korea's coast that ne could identify
Presently the Izumrud, which was
scouting, reported that she made out
the UinVny islands (Liancourt rocks,
whereupon the Russians, recovering
heart, SNAPPED their course for Vladl
7ostok, but almost Immediately the5
observed two sqnadrons OF japanese
approaching at full speed, ahead sno
recognizing the flags Of Togo anc
Dewa.
The Izumrud steamed of at toy
speed, but Nebogatoff's ships encum
bered with wounded, with ammunl,
tion lacking, decided to haul doWr
their colors. Other still floating
fragments of the Russian feet were
pursued and destroyed by the Japa
nese, who had been organized In view
OF this contingency, into groups O.
homogeneous ships.
The battle shows no novel feature
The Russians fought with devoted
valor, but were outciasSed at ever.
point. Their shooting was inconpar
ably inferior to that OF the japanese
who scored an extraordinary numhe
of hits with their l2.inch guns. The
japanese prcjectiles also were mucl
more effective than those OF the Rus
slams. Nothing was more notaol
than the japanese skill in using tor
pedoes, contrasting markedly will
previous i'll success, and evidently re
sulting from the special course o
training recently pursued and from
the teachings CT experience.
Shot Himself.
W. 81. Werner, OF Columbia, S. G.
committed suicide at Morganton, n
c., at hall past six O'Clock Thursda:,
evening. a bullet hole in the hea
caused instant death. He was foun
in lumber yard. From the neage