THE GREAT BATTLE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7845, 10 June 1905, Page 2

THE GREAT BATTLE.

CAUGHT NAPPING. ( Russian Buugling and Confusion. ■ Togo's Brilliancy. i TORPEDO ATTACK URHIfiDEREC. Complete' Destruction. (Keceived July 8, 10.38 p.m.) LONDON. July 9. Russians at Manila assert that the Ja]>anese completely surprised Adlrihal Itozhdcstvcnsky, whose vessels wo.-e not cleared for action, and the gun crewa not at their posts. Ho Wat ' allowed no time tc get into lighting trim.

Two lines of torpedo boats sudden- | ly appeared, enveloping the fleet), while the Japanese battleships at a distance poured in a hall of ten and thirteen inch shells The Russian cruisers manned the port batteries, and tho battleships the starboard batteries to repel the torpedo boats. They did not attempt to man the others, and the Japanese then executed manoeuvres which threw the whole fleet Into confusion.

Two encircling lines of torpedoers met southward of the fleet, and instead of continuing to cirrle, turned < in obedience to Admiral Togo's signal, and advanced at full speed between the Russian lines. Hardly a battleship or cruiser escaped serious damage. - Practically helpless, the men became demoralised, and not a shot -was firod during the torpedo boats' ' final dash. Then Admiral Togo's battleships and cruisers encircled the armada, the big guns completing the destruction.