BATTLE OF TSUSHIMA

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1486, 21 June 1905, Page 2

BATTLE OF TSUSHIMA

THRILLING DESCRIPTIONS. HOW TOGO BEAT THE RUSSIANS. By Telegraph— -Frees Association—Copyright Received 9 25 p.en., Juno 20. Sydney. June 20. The Daily Telegraph’s correspondent gives the following description of tho battle of Tsushima: Tho day was foggy, heavy mists banging low over the water. The Russian fleet, divided into five divisions, was making ten knots. " As it neared Tsushima the sea grew rot3gb, and by fcbo litre Admiral Togo’s command were in a position to engage tho Russians tho sea was running high, making shooting difficult. When the signal from tho Mikasa “Be road to leave” reached. th 3 fleet ao 5.30 in the morning the Japanese became jubilant. They loft tho rendezvous immediately a wireless message announced the approach of Admiral Roshdest vensky. Owing to the rough weather the torpedo flotilla was unable to proceed with the fleet and took shelter at Tsushima port. The various divisions took up their„ positions, tho Russian squadron steaming in a double lino of tremendous length. At 2 o’clock in the afternoon the fighting flags of Japan were hoisted amid cheers. Admiral Togo signalled: *• Tho fate of the Empire hangs solely on this battle. All must use their best endeavour.” The message was answered variously from all ships, and the fleet steamed to battle. Tho mist now lifted and disclosed to the Russians the terrible crap into which they had run. On thoir port they saw, indistinctly in the haze, Che first and second detachments of tho Japanese fleet, whilst swinging round to starboard were the third and fourth. The fleets steamed alongside one another for some time, and when off Okinashima the Russians opened fire. The first shot from the Japanese was fired at 2.13 p.m. Soon an incessant thundei'ous cannonade was proceeding. The marksmanship oi the Russians was inaccurate, but most of the Japanese gunners found their marks and wrought havoc on tho opposing ships, smashing tho iron and wood work, and converting the decks into a veritable shambles. The first straight shot from their guns struck the conning tower cf the ship Cslab} a and killed Admiral Foelkorsham and several of his staff. Other shots set the ship on fire. In the meantime the Japanese destroyer flotilla had taken up a position on the starboard. The main force of battleships and cruisers were standing about five miles off, using their big guns, and slowly but surely pressed the enemy towards the coast of Kyushu. Finding they were thus beiug driven, the Russians quickly altered their course to eastward. No sooner had this move taken place than tho Japanese changed thoir course to north, tho battleship Mikasa, which up to that, time had been leading, taking the .rear, while the cruiser Kasuga now headed the squadron. Both sidos were carrying on a heavy duel, but it was apparent that tho Japan-, ese had tho advantage. The sight of the Oslahya on firo no doubt disconcerted the Russians as much as it cheered the Japanese, for shortly af:-er the former changed their course again, this time to the west. The Japp.nese followed, the second division concentrating their fire upon tho vessel which was in flames and on the various flagships. The Kniaz Savaroff was particularly selected and heavily bombarded. The first Japanese division steamed .-with all speed abreast the enemy, pouring in a severe fire, while the second division steered round to the flank, thus almost completely surrounding the armada. There was little hope of escape for the Russians, who, compelled to fight, vvere attacked from all directions. The torpedo boafc3 were dodging about in alt quarters. Jt was in the middle cf the afternoon that this clever tactical movo was performed, and the position of the fleet remained about the same throughout the night. The continued concentration of fire on tho various ships appeared to be a preconceived arrangement, and a terribly destructive one. A battleship sank in the first five

minutes, and tho cruiser Oleg, the flagship of Admiral EDquist, was badly damaged, which rendered it . necessary for the Admiral to transfer his flag to the cruiser Aurora, which ia turn became the centre of the terrible cannonade.

The Russian marksmanship did not improve. About 90 per cent, of the shots missed, and wbat did find masks were practically harmless owing tq thtPinferior make of the shells. The Japanese on the other hand were placing the majority of tho shots with deadly precision, wrecking guns, tearing gaping holes in the hulls, killing and woundtDg wholesale,' unt 1 consternation began to appear amongst the Russians. Several ships could be seen desperately looking fot loopholes to escape, though the Japanese confined them within the fighting lines. During the daylight it was obvious that several would escape as soon as darkness descended. Then followed the capture of Admiral Roshdestvensky, the details of which were cabled. When his flagship was sunk the fight continued without a commander inchief, Ships were bursting in flames. A running fight proceeded. Tho Russians were slowly, but surely annihilated.

Towards sunset tho auxiliary cruiser Ural was seen running away. A chase ensued in which she was sunk, tho shells exploded her boilers. The crew escrypedl in boot’s, and were landed in Japg.u, . As evening drew op. the area of battle extended copsideiitbly, and that, combined with'the heavy pall of smoko oausod by the guns, and tho burning ships, lad Admirul Togo into losing sight of various units.

The Oslabya was, with the approach of evening, still burning vigorously, and the order wa3 given to the fifth destroyer flotilla to sink her. She shelled the boat* as they approached, and damaged the Shicnuhi, one shell striking the foro-disehargo tube, whilst another damaged the fore part of the vessel. None of the other destroyers were hurt. They succeeded iu sinking the burning vessel. Beceived 10.20 p.m., June 20. The Bussian3, evidently at a loss what their manoeuvre should be, aod darkuess bringing increased determination on part of the Japanese Ip, destroy the enemy, made confusion •vyorso confounded. w.aa for a turn impossible to tell in the din aid snuks what damage was done 1 3 the Japanese. The destroyer flotillas sent several vessels to the bottom. Whilst the Japanese ship 9 wero in good fighting trim, many Bussiaus were hors do combat. The fifa wa3 covered with debris and floating men fer miles around, and but little assistance could be rendered them. When the fighting was at its highest a fcjgnai was received by 000 of the torpedo flotillas that a black object like a sub* mjrino was amoug3t tin? Russian vessels, and the flotilla was ordered to attack ic« The flotilla set out on its mission, and was surprised to find it was a huge vessel floating upside down, with a number of men chnging to the keel. Firing from the big Japanese was sus-t pended at sunset, but torpedo attacks were made during the night., the flotillas forming two sections. Tbo enemy’s searchlights prevented the success of two initial attacks, but on the third expedition the battleship Orel was put oat of fighting line, the battleship Navani was sunk, and others badly damaged. The Basaiaos never attempted to send out their torpedoers under cover oi the darkness. The Orel, having two : big holes in her starboard quarter, and the engine rooms wrecked, ran into. a naval port, and was there seized by the authorities , and the crew made prisoners. In the darkness Admiral Fcquiet managed to flee from tbs fighting line with I the cruisers Oleg, Aurora and Jemtchung. f Pulling up the torpedo net, and stacking the coals aft, he escaped immediately the I opportunity presented itself. He ran down I to Manilla. , When at daybreak the remaining B\ \ sms attempted to ?teer a course npj

wards the Japanese pressed hard ahead, being determined that not a single ship should escape. ' Tho fighting was resumed at o’clock, and firing continued on affd off throughout the day, the bat-lie now being continued to *ho noith of Okinoshima in she mist, which prevented any eighting further than five mile - .

Near Liu coast a group of ships consisting of a haUleship, Nebogatoff’a flagship Impel a‘or Niece! I, coast di-.fenee ship Admiral Seniavic, eomt defence ship General Admiral Apraxin, and tho cruiser deasroyer Tzaiu*ud. were encountered by the Japanese squadron. During the initial fighting the Izamrud fled, and the rem tinder hauled down thoir flags, Nebogat Tf surrendering them to the Japanese main fleet. WhiUt tho starred der was being accepted by the Japanese, the pursuit of tho remainder if the Russians was temporarily suspended. The coast defence ship Admiral koff was e?pied in a south-we-itorn direction, and fch-s Japanese cruisers Ivat and yckumo immediately sot out and sank her, as she refused fo su-rended.

The fourth division <*f the Japanese torpedo flotilla also espied the Dmitri Donelioi endeavoring to escape north-west, and. pursued her until af:or nightfall, being unable to sink her though tkoy used torpedoes and guns.