The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1905-06-23

covering his stern on the same side,
while the decoy squadron, strongly
reinforced, threatened his starboard.
The Russians Immediately formed in
double column, line ahead. The east
column was led by the battleshir
lmperator Alexander, the west line
was composed Of cruisers, while the
auxiliaries we're between the columns
in the rear.
The sea now was very rough, with a
strong southwest wind blowing, so
that the Japanese had not only the
benefit Of the sun at their backs, but
were also assisted by the heavy smoke
which poured down upon the Russians.
The heavy seas, too, were eminently
in favor of the Japanese gunners, who
habitually practice In stormy weather
with the refult that their aim was
not disturbed by the unsteadiness OF
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 OF
the ships.
The Russians opened fire at IL, 900
metres. but 1t was wholly ineffective.
The Japanese reserving their fire until
the range was 7 SEQ metres, when they
| fired six trial shots and sccred three
hits.
The battle now became general.
The Russians perpetually essayed to
force their way northward, but the
Japanese, steaming at higher speed,
constantly headed them back, sc that
the Russian course described loop,
the ships filing past the Japanese who
poured In deadly fire from three di.
rectioDs. RojeStvensky's gunners
maintained much higher rate of fire.
but their projsctiles nearly always
flew high or buried themselves In the
sea, evidently owing to the gunners'
want CT experience in gunlaying in
| 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 on
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 confined
to the southeast corner Of the Sea OF
Japan.
Thus far Togo's strategy had work
ed perfc cjly, but the most important
part OF his work remained, namely,
the lcosing OF lG squadrcns 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 be
impossible, as the sea was too rough
for torpedo boats. However, to wards
evening the wind and waves subsidized,
the night became q liet, and the star
light exceedingly we'll suited for the
work of the torpedo boats, which
rushed in from three larters, re
serving their missiles until within 800
metres at the most, and making
practice so deadly that it redeemed
all previous failures.
The japanese deny any use of sub
marines, and the conditions und er
which the battle was fought were OBJ
viously unsuited for them Meanwhile
the japanese sighting squadrons had
dropped Off to the north, leaving the
field free for the torpedo craft. BY
midnight only nine Russians remain.
ed with the formation under Neboga.
toH. These struggled northward with
torpedo boats clinging to their ianks
and constantly stabbing, SO that dawn
found only five remaining, the battle
ships Orel and Nikolai, two coast de-
fcnse ships and the cruiser Izumrud.
Having lost his bearings owing to
complicated manoeuveres, Admiral
Neoogatotf decided to steer westward
until he p cked up scme feature OF
| k)rea'S coast that he could Identify
Presently the iZumrud, which was
scouting, reported that she made out
the U!nvny islands Niancourt rock.),
whereupon the Russians, recovering
heart, shaped their course for Vladi-
vostok, but almost Immediately they
observed two "a ladrons Of japanese
approaching at lull speed, ahead and
recognizing the flags of Togo and
| DeWa.
The Izumrud steamed of at top
speed, but Netogatotf's IS ships encum-
bered with wounded, with ammuni
tion lacking, decided to haul down
their colors. Other still floating
fragments of the Russian fleet were
pursued and destroyed by the Japa.
nese, who had been organized In view
Of this contingency, into groups Of
homogeneous ships.
The battle shows no novel feature.
The Russians fought with devoted
va!or, but were ouIclassed at every
point. Their shooting was incompar
ably inferior to that OF the Japanese,
who scored an extraordinary number
Of hits with their l2.inch guns. The
japanese projectiles also we're much
more effective than those OF the Rus.
slams. \ thing was more notable
than the japanese skill in using tor
pedoes, contrasting markedly with
previous Ill success, and evidently re-
sulting from the special course of
training recently pursued and from
the teachings Of experience.
Shot Himself.
w. II. Werner, Of Columbia, S. @. 4,
committed suicide at Morganton, N I.