The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-16

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the ships since the battle. There vas evil
dence and plenty Of II to show that officers
and crews had rnssed through terrible
experience, They were mentally and phyl-
caly Frustrated. The sailors lay about
the decks in groups and the common
impulse seemed to he to rest. As an officer
stated, the night OF their arrival In Manila
Bay was the first chance they had to relax
since the morning OF the battle, week
before. The awful strain of seven days
and nights Of rushing from foe which was
expected to appear at almost any moment
had broken the nerves Of the str ongest.
They were ready to thank God that they
had at last reached a haven where they
would have no fear Of the terrible Japanese.
On Sunday afternoon the crews COM
menced to clean the ships, wash clothes.
and generally to return once more to
the accustomed routine of naval ships.
All day long launches crowded with sight
seers were plying about the unfortunate
vessels. studying the shell holes and gaz-
ing curiously at the sailors, some Of whom
hung over the sides silently looking about
their new surroundings. The difference
In language prevented any communi,a-
| ton.
| In the afternoon numbers Of Filipinos
in native boats rowed out to the Russians
and did thriving business In fruits, tobacco
and other small stuff The Japanese Con-
sui was early on the scene with two or three
of his countrymen. and they circled the
ships a number Of times. making careful
notes Of every hole In the sides.
| As a rule, visitors were not allowed to
| go aboard the ships, although a great num-
Der OF curiosity seekers held to the gang
ways and did their best to pass tho polite
| officers. who bowed. gesticulated and ex-
! planned in Russian, French, and German
that 1t would be impossible to come aboard
for two or three days. An officer was found
J aboard the fla gship who spoke English
huently. and with the aid Of him as inter-
prefer Admiral Enquist gave brief de-
scription OF the naval battle.
Ho stated that the Japanese had first
been sighted early on Saturday morning.
the 27th. when four scouts were seen
steaming to port and one far away on the
starbonrd. The Russian ships opened fire
at very long range, and soon the scouts
disappea-,d. The feet Immediately went
Into battle formation in three lines, battle
! suips on the left, coliers and transports
His flagship. at that time the Oleg, was
leading the line OF cruisers. The Zemtchug
was detailed with the battleships to aid in
repelling attacks from tho Japanese tor
pedoes which mission she was we'll equipped
to carry out by reason Of her great speed.
Tho morning was misty, but the sea was
running little higher than is ordinary
when the nlist is low. The Japanese APP
| tk.a ork <x,,or to opIN nul fro
n. a range Of about 5000 yards. gradually
coming cIo.er. Almost tho entire fire
wns oonoen: ruted on the first and second
Russian battleships, and so accurately
were tho shells placed that these two leaders
wero disabled in the first half hour. The
| Japanese suddenly disappeared again in
the mist and the firing ceased. Their
vessels wore painted gray. so that some
times shots we're heard and hits were made
while the ships could not be seen. I'm
fortu natelv for the Russians. their ships
were painted black and their tunnels u
whitish yellow, with black rims at tho top.
which made them stand out like actual
targets at practise.
| Enurist himself was not engaged until
tho second attack OF the Japanese, when
a detachment Of the Japanese feet APP
peared on his immediate front and COM
menced landing shells on the Oleg and
Aurora. At the Same timo the heaviest
Japanese ships rcsppoared and directed
their fro against the third and fourth
batteships OF tho Russian line. which had
now taken the place Of the first and second.
crippled In the first attack. UP to this
tlrne the Japanese had beon describing
circles at q range Of about 7,joO yarda on
the port side OF tn" Russian foot. which
would I've to the north and west OF the gen.
eral direction In which they wera steaming
through the Corean Straits. The third
and fourth battleships were crippled In M
incredibly short timr and one OF Thorn sank
very suddenly. which gave rise to the i'm
preston that 1t was torpedoed. though no
torpedo boats had been observed at closo
range.
When tho Japanese returned to the attack
tho third tine they steamed across the
Russian bows. devoting attention to the
heavily armored cruisers, driving the Oleg
and the Aurora of the main curse and
causing them to lead the other vessels in
an irregular formation, due to the CON-
fusion and appearance Of Japanese on all
sides, which finally took the form OF a cir
Gle. Tho cruisers were outside and the
transports and Golfers hutldled in the mid
die. Tho lighting had now progressed
s1ne miles beyond where it had opened
and the ultimate fate of tho ba;tleships
was unknown.
The Jupancse formed an outer circle
completely enveloping the Russians. who
wore almost helpless within. and destroyed
them like abeep, coming as CLOSE Us 1000
Yards. II this formation had been continued
it is doubtful if any Of the Russian ships
would have escaped; but the Japanese
broke their circle and penetrated the RUS
sian circle, the latter's vessels fleeing in all
directions. The fight lasted all through
the afternoon until darkness settled down.
About O'Clock Enouist found himself
with the Oleg and tho Aurora, towhich he had
transferred his flag when he feared the Oleg
was sinking. With these remnants and the
i .-l<.. - l. II.