The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-09-29
ENGLISH GUEST
ON FATED MIKASA
STORY OF LIFE ON ADMIRAL TO-
Co.'s FLAGSHIP.
She Was Much Like British Ship and
the Crew Were to One Another Like
Brothers Blockade Work OFF Port
Arthur Was Wearing.
. London Mail.

/. Arthur Was Wearing.
London Mail.
We have received the following from
III. G. Seppings Wright, who alone Of all
the correspondents in the Far East was
i permitted by the Japanese authorities
/ to accompany Admiral Togo 8 fleet, and
who has recounted his thrilling expert
Togo published by Messrs. Hurst and
Blackett:
/ The Mikasa was very much like a.
British ship. / first saw her at Blonde
Islands, Admiral Togo s third rem
devious, where went on board and met
! Admiral Togo. | was introduced to his
chief Of the staff and the other officers
and was shown over the ship.
1t was after the battle of Round
Island (Aug. 10, l9o4), but there was
not much apparent damage. The main
mast had been nearly brought down by
a six inch shell, and for this reason
fighting tops. A twelve-inch shell had
exploded on the upper deck over the
not penetrating it. A third big shot
had pierced the armor on the port side
passed thru the sick bay and out on the
the masts and killed or wounded several
officers, nearly killing Admiral Togo.
All the damage had been skilfully re-
paired by artifcers on board, and she
had been newly painted. She looked
spick and span rs if prepared for re-
view, tho she was ready for instant ac-
ton, had the tompiors out of the guns,
stanchions lowered and decks cleared
for battle. WI.
The crew looked worn out, as die
Togo and all officers, not one getting
more than four hours sleep night. Be
low was the admiral g cabin, right aft,
furnished comfortably, but simply. Two
doors opened on the stern walk and four
scuttles allowed free play to the breeze.
A big skylight lit the room, and be-
tween the two doors and three-cornered
this the admiral kept his books and
knick-knacks. There was a roll-top
desk. on which his papers were neatly
laid, also the ordinary Japanese writing
materials, i a.a
zone Large Family
Specimens of wonderful dwarf trees
stood in the fireplace The whole cabin
was frightened by cheerful cclored
draperies. Soft silk curtains shaded the
scuttles, keeping out the glare of the
sun. o.. s..--s --.+-s-.- -. T. =. p
of the ship were on British lines. The
petty officers were very intelligent and
always, like most Japanese, anxious to
learn. Most of them could read and
write English or some foreign Ian
guage. They were docile and one
never heard grumble: It struck me
that their general behavior towards
each other was like brothers. -
! They were one large family, and Adj
miral Togo was the father. s@
Among the officers were two princes,
taking the same risks as anybody else.
I joined the Mikasa afterwards
when she was off Port Arthur, and
while on board I. saw good deal Of
Admiral Togo. While off Port Arthur
we usually kept within sight of Round
Island, a rock thirty miles due south
Of Dalny. ss,-+2 ~
| The .Mikasas.at that time looked less
smart, draped as her bridges and tops
were with rope protection (mantlets)
Each day we, speculated whether the
Russians would come out.
The Mikasa lay heading north, the
Asaki pointing south, and the other
ships Of the Squadron in line Some
days the admiral would steam towards
Wei-hai-wei and back. The things we
feared most were mines, and a sharp
:, lookout was kept on any floating OBJ
ject.
Drills and exercise went on regularly.
Only once during my stay was there e2
II
Retvisan came out and anchored in
the outer roads. We thought that the
Russians meant business. Two Of our
battleships steamed slowly towards he1
: as challenge, which was prudently
7 declined. We had a band on board
which used to play good selection OF
. popular airs. g., I'm.
Easy chairs would be brought up OF
deck in the evening, after dinner, "a
The officers meals were served the
: same as the men s, and after s O'Clock
. at night *kimonos Japanese loose
: fobes), were allowed, as also before s
!. in the morning. ss ss- #
Togo and England
= I believe the rule about the kimonos
= was made in consequence of everyone
= taking their bath at night when the
= fort till bedtime, which was the most
. PLEASANT time Of the day. Tea, cigarets
= biscuits and light refreshments were
e going until bedtime, which is early, al
u lights Being out at 10.
: We never by any chance showed
light outside. Very often would spenc
: smoking cigarets and drinking tea
|. He would talk to me a great deal about
) England, while I spoke to him about
n Japan He always seemed to me to bt
:. worried, although he was never i'm
n patient but I could quite understand
! it in view of his great responsibility
d and anxiety. L
t There has been great deal of specu
e lation as to where the admiral wa
e when the shell exploded which no near
" proved fatal. The explosion tool
place just before he was climbing thu
ladder to 20 on the fore bridge. During
bridge with his staff until the actor
e became close, when he would go to thu
: fore bridge.
Q I saw good deal of the working. 0.
n the blockade, as the admiral was kint
enough to appoint me to one Of the tor
: yous. Immediately off Port Arthur, bu
7 he told me when I left him, "When
ever you want to see me, Mr.. Wright
| mind YOU GOMEZ