ATTACK ON THE TRANSPORTS.

Manawatu Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7998, 20 June 1904, Page 2

ATTACK ON THE TRANSPORTS.

NO QUARTER GIVEN.

TERRIBLE CARNAGE.

CROWDED DECKS SHR/VP-

NELLED

SODAMARU FARES BETTER

Received June 20, 0.2.; n.m. London, Yustcrdav

Tokio reports state that Admiral Skrydloffs fleet was siqht^d r.-irly on Sunday morning at tho wcsiurn entrauco to Tuigaru.

If. The report states tbn.fi the cruisers Eossia and Iturick surprised thn transport Hitachimaru in a dunsu fog off Okinossima.

They fired twenty-oi c shots at a range of 700 yards, wounding many ; but finding the transport did not sink, they fired sixty shots at a range of 400 yards, causing the boilers to explode arid setting fire to the ship.

While ho was burning the colours and official papers, a shell killed Colonel Suehi.

Other officers and numerous soldiers suiiSided or jumped overboard.

Finally approaching to within 150 yards the Eussians fired blmipnel upon the crowded decks, sinking the ship and all on board.

A shell beheaded the chief mate, an Englishman, while standing on tho bridge, the body remaining upright. Atter being torpedoed the Sodamaru was repeatedly hit by shells, the machinery being disabled.

Non-combatants to the number of 610 were allowed to leave, but their fate is unknown. Officers and soldiers were prepared to commit suicide, but changed their minds when the Russians suddenly left the vessel.

Most of the troops eventually reached Ocushima.