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

covering his stern on the same side
while the decoy squadron, strongl,
reinforced, threatened his starboard
The Russians Immediately formed IL
double column, line ahead. The east
column was led by the battleshi,
Imperator Alexander, the west lin,
was composed Of cruisers, while tn,
auxiliaries we're between the column.
in the rear.
The sea now was very rough, with
strong southwest wind blowing, sc
that the Japanese had not only tht
benefit Of the sun at their backs, bu,
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 8 vital parts occa,
stoned by the rolling and tossing OF
the ships.
The Russians opened fire at $4,000
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 a higher speed,
constantly headed them back, so that
the Russian course described a loop,
the ships filing past the Japanese who
poured In deadly fire from three di.
rections. RojeStvensky's gunners
maintained much higher rate of fire,
but their projectiles nearly always
flew high or buried themselves in the
sea, evidently owing to the gunners'
want of 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 perfo cjly, but the most important
part Of his work remained, namely,
the lcosing Of l6 squadrons Of torpedo
boats upon the Russians during the
night, when their were partially dis
cbled 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 qliet, and the star.
| light exceedingly well suited for the
work of the torpedo boats, which
rushed in from three q ,arters, re
serving their missiles until within 3OC
metres at the most, and making a
practice so deadly that it redeemed
all previous failures.
The Japanese deny any use of sub
marines, and the conditions under
which the battle was fought were OBJ.
viously unsuited for them. Meanwhile
the Japanese sighting squadrons had
dropped OF to the north, leaving tbe
Held 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 flanks
and constantly stabbiDg, 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 tC
complicated manoeuveres, Admira
NeHogatotT decided to steer westward
until he p cked up scme feature OF
X )rea'S coast that he could Identify
Presently the lZumrud, which was
scouting, reported that she made out
the Uinvny islands (Liancourt rock. }
whereupon the Russians, recovering
heart, shaped their course for Vladi
vostok, but almost Immediately the,
observed two "a ladrons OF japanese
approaching a t lull speed, ahead and
recognizing the flags of Togo and
Dewa.
The Izumrud steamed off at tor
speed, but NeCogat0tf's ships encum.
bered with wounded, With ammuni
tton lacking, decided to haul down
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 OF
homogeneous ships.
The battle shows no novel feature
The Russians fought with devoted
va!or, but were outclassed at every
point. Their shot ing was incompar
ably inferior to that OF the Japanese
who scored an extraordinary number
Of hits with their Pinch guns. The
japanese projectiles also we're much
more effective than those OF the Rus
slams. n 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 o.
training recently pursued and from
the teachings OF experience.
Shot Himself.
w. II. Werner, of Columbia, S. @.
| n mi a1 c,,{c ~