A GRAPHIC AGCOUNT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 36, 11 February 1904, Page 5

A GRAPHIC AGCOUNT.

LONDON. February 10. The steamer Colombia, which has just reached Chefoo. in China, reports that while lying at the roadstead at Port Arthur on Monday she vras surrounded by 14 warships. Shortly before midnight they felt a severe shock, apparently caused by a torpedo explosion. The Russians immediately used a searchlight, and opened fire seawards for a ihort time. At one o'clock more shocks were experienced, and the firing recommenced. The Japanese fleet did not retire. At two o'clock two Russian battleships, and a little later on a cruiser, were beached across the entrance of the harbour, but none- appeared to be damaged above the waterline. More shocks were felt early in the morning, and then all was quiet. Later on the forts fired on the Japanese fleet at a distance of three miles, and the Japanese returned the fire. Some shells hit the Russian ships, and the forts were slightly damaged. The Russian fire fell short. Later on the Russian cruisers put to sea. and the Japanese then disappeared, apparently unhurt, in thi , direction of Dalny. The Colombia's officers state that the attacking force numbered 17 ships. though only 10 were afterwards seen off Piiehon. NEW YORK, February 10. The New York '•'Herald's" correspondent telegraphs that the Russians at Port Arthur were not expecting an attack for several days, and were keeping a poor lookout, occasionally using searchlights. A Reuter message states that Admiral Alexieff has telegraphed that the Japanese tieet bombarded Port Arthur on February 9th, and that the battleship Poltava and the protected cruisers Diana. Askold, and Novik have been damaged at the waterline and therefore put out of action.