The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1905-06-02
JAPAN ADMITS LOSING
WAR CRAFT.
Six Of the Mikado's Vessels Sunk
During Siege of Port Arthur.
Battleship Yashima and Cruiser Taxa
sage Included in the List.

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. A
little later the Russians headed west and
we changed our course accordingly. Five
ships of our second division concentrated
their fire on the Borodino. Our first divi-
sion now began firing vigorously. pro-
ceeding parallel with the Russian line,
and as we began to press against the
head Of the Russian line our third divi-
sion veered to the Russian rear, thus en-
veloping their ships.
THE engagement proceeded hotly. Our
second division followed a course parallel
with the northern side Of the Russians.
and this movement completed the en-
yelopment. The Russian ships were seen
trying to break through, and our de-
stroyer fotilla intercepted their new
course This state of development con-
tinued until the following day, with the
ships at varying distances. Thus, in
closed on all sides, the Russians were
helpless and powerless to escape the cir
Gle.
Previous instructions had been given
the destroyers and tropedo-boats to at
tack the Russian ships. Following in
structions, the fifth destroyer fiotilla adj
vanced against a Russian ship, upon
which the second division had been con-
centrating its fire. signaling:
We are going to give the last thrust
at them
The Russian ship continued to fight
and, seeing the approaching torpedo
boats, directed its fire on them. I'm
daunted, our destroyers pressed forward,
the Chitose meantime continuing its fire.
The torpedo fotilla arrived within 200
meters of the Russian ship and the Shir-
anus fired the first shot. Two other tor
pedo boats fired one each. The Shiranus
received two shells, but the other boats
were not damaged. The Russian ship was
sunk.
Shutdown saw the battle raging furi-
ously. Our shells were evidently telling
on the Russians who showed signs of
confusion. Our fifth torpedo hotilla. after
destroying the Borodino, followed in the
wake of our second division. the signal
reading:
Something like Russian submarine
has been sighted. Attack It.
THE fiotilla followed and located the
object. which proved to be sinking ship
with its overturned bottom showing.
Thirty survivors chung to the wreck, cry
ing for assistance.
Firing ceased with the approach Of
darkness. According to orders previously
given for torpedo attack, after dark,
ali the destroyer hotilia, dividing into two
squadrons, proceeded to attack the Rus
slams during the whole night. The Rus
slams frustrated the first and second at
tacks with searchlights. A third attempt
was carefully made and the Yugiri sank a
ship Of the Borodino type and also hit
others. During the night the Russians
continued to move and we preserved our
enveloping movement some distance from
the Russian position. The Russian ships
headed northeast after daybreak hoping
to reach Vladivostok. Our ships always
kept ahead of the Russians. The battle
was resumed at o'clock on Sunday
morning, twelve miles east of Chyupyon
Bay, and lasted all day. Here the Rus
SLAMS suffered their heaviest losses.
They seemed quite unprepared to re-
pei night attacks. During our first night
attack the Russians showed nine search
lights and frustrated the attacks, but
clearly gave US the location of the feet
which brought success later