The Detroit times., 1909-01-15
IS
SUMMONED IN
LAST FIGHT
DEATH TAKES NOTED SEA FIGHT
Err WHO COMMANDED RUSSIAN
SHIPS IN HISTORIC BATTLE OFF
JAPANESE COAST.

ST. PETERSBURG. Jan. l5.-Vice
Admiral Rojestvensky, who command
ed the Russian feet that was sent To
the far east TO engage the japanese
fleet In battle, is dead OF neuralgia Of
the heart. He had been injured dur
ing the historic battle between the
Russian and Japanese ships of the
Japanese coast several years ago.
Then ne escaped from his flagship u
a torpedo boat destroyer which sur
rendered to the Japanese. who trans
fcrred him 10 a hospital. afforded him
the mostc ordial treatment and sent
him back TO Russia. where he was
Inundated Dy being subjected 10 a
court martial.
Sinovi Petrovitch Rojestvensky, who
was about 60 years old, had been
In the Russian naval service the
greater part of his life Graduating
from the Michael Artillery academy,
RCjestvensky rose step by step until
he became chief of the naval head
quarters staff and the head OF the IN
telligence department OF the Russian
navy.
IN 1904, after the disasters which
had beiallen the Russian warships IN
their conflicts with the Japanese, Ro-
jestvensky was given personal com
mand OF the Russian Baltic fleet, with
OF ders to take il to Nladivostok.
The fleet sailed from Libau, Oct, 10.
1904 Owing to persistent rumors that
the Japanese would attack II en- route
a careful lookout was kept by the
Russians. and when the fleet was OF
the Dogger Banks in the North sea,
ii came upon the North Sea British
:;shinG feet
The lights OF the trawlers caused
alarm on some of the Russian Vessels
and they fired upon the fishermen.
The steam trawler Crane was SUNK
and two others OF the fishing Meet
were injured, while two men OF the
trawlers were killed and NUMBER
were seriously wounded.
This action resulted in strained rela-
lions between Great Britain and Rus
STA. an dalthough an international com
mission at Paris technically excused
Roiestyensky. though condemnlng the
firing upon the trawlers, the Russian
oovarnment was assessed $32O.OOO as
damages.
Roiestvensky. meanwhile. with the
main division OF his meet. saiieu
around the Cape OF Good Hope ana
was met off Madagascar by the other
vessels which had proceeded through
the Mediterranean and the Red sea.
The Japanese during RojestvensKy
VOYAGE had captured Port Arthur and
sunk or captured most OF the Russian
warships that had been bottled up
there and this caused change III the
Mans of Roiestvensky to take his neet
rorthward to Vladivostok. Advancing
into the China sea. where coal anu
provisions were taken on board. no
iestvensky in May, 1905, was joined by
Admiral Nebogatoffs division and the
combined feet started through the
Straits of Korea on the way to Vladi-
vostok.
Between Korea and Japan, In the
Straits OF Tsu-Shima, on May u, the
Russians ran into Vice Admiral
Toga's naval ambuscade and In the
conflict Togo captured or disabled
eight battleships. nine cruisers. three
coast defense ships, nine destroyers.
enc auxiliary cruiser, six special ser
vice steamers and two hospital ships.
The Russians lost 1000 killed and
900 taken prisoners. The Japanese
lest three torpedo boats and ll6 killed
and 53S wounded.
The battleship Kniaz Souvaroff, Ro-
jestvensky's flagship, was blown up in
the battle and the vice-admiral sus-
tanned several severe wounds. He
then was conveyed TO the destroyer
biedovy. which surrendered TO Jap
anese battleship. Rojestvensky and
the officers were taken ashore and the
admiral was placed In hospital. He
was held prisoner until the war ended.
Returning to Russia after his re-
lease. Roiestvensky applied for retire
ment. saving his health was shattered.
An indictment was found against him
and the officers of the Biedovy, charg-
ing the admiral with surrendering %
an enemy and the officers with cow
ardice and decentralization.
Rojestvensky pleaded guilty 10 save
the officers. but was declared to be not
guilty. The officers were condemned
to death, but their sentences after
ward were committed.
-