ROSHDESTVENSKI CAUGHT NAPPING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 138, 10 June 1905, Page 5

ROSHDESTVENSKI CAUGHT NAPPING.

fleet entirely unprepared. TORPEDO-BOATS BEGIN THE ATTACK. COMPLETE SUCCESS OF A DABDTG MANOEUVRE. LONDON, Jane 9. The Russian, officers at Manila say that Admiral Togo took Admiral Roshdestvenski completely by surprise in Corea Straits. The Russian vessels had not been cleared for action, the gun crews were not at their posts, and when the Japanese appeared there was not time enough to get the ships into 8 fighting trim. Two lines of Japanese torpedo-boats appeared suddenly and enveloped the Russian ships, and at the same time the Japanese battleships and cruisers poured in a hail of 10-inch and 13-inch sheila from long range. The Russian cruisers manned their port batteries, and the battleships their starboard batteries, to repel the torpedoboats, but the commanders made no attempt to man their other gams.

, The Japanese then executed a manj teuvre -which threw- the -whole of the j Russian fleet into confusion. The two encircling line* of torpedo craft met to the southward of the Russian fleet, and instead of continuing on ! the encircling course, turned and advanced at full speed up the seaway be- ■ tvreen the two Russian columns. This change of course was made in obedience to an order from Admiral Togo. Torpedoes were launched at each ship in turn, and hardly a battleship or a cruiser escaped serious damage in this attack of the torpedoers. The fleet became practically helples? and demoralised. The Russian ships did not fire a single shot during; the final tla.sh of the tor- . i"do-boats upon them. j Admiral Togo's battleships and crui- ; sers then circled round the Russian fleet 'at full speed, and with their big guns ' completed the destruction so v.-ell begun •by the torpedo-boats. i