GREAT BATTLE OF IRONCLADS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5374, 6 September 1904, Page 5

GREAT BATTLE OF IRONCLADS.

AVITHOEFT’S FATAL SORTIE. THE DISASTER TO THE CZAREVITCH HOW THE NEWS WAS RECEIVED IN RUSSIA. (Per Ventura, at Auckland.) ST. PETERSBURG, August 14. Not since the beginning of the war between Japan and Russia has anything so obviously affected Russian spirits as the gradual revelation of the extent of the Port Arthur squadron’s reverse. Details of Rear-Admiral’s Withoeft’s fatal sortie arc not known to the general public, even at this hour, though the contents of the report of Captain Matousevitch, Admiral Withoeft’s Chief-of-S'taff, to the Emperor gradually permeated official circles in the course of the day, and the captain’s statement was issued late to-night in the form of an official report. Captain Mafousevitch makes clear that the Port Arthur squadron fought what was probably the greatest battle of ironclads since steel ro-

placed wood in naval construction. The effort of the Russians to fight their way tbrought the Japanese would probably have bee-u successful had it not boon for the disaster to the battleship Czarevitch, which compelled the squadron to fight a second battle, ending in the dispersal of the Russian fleet in darkness. It is learned that the awful mortality among the officers of the Czarevitch—which was merely stated in the official report—is duo to the fact that Admiral Withoeft, and most of his officers, were gathered on the bridge during the action in order to set an example to, and encourage, the men, instead of remaining in comparative safety in the protection of the conning-tower. A Japanese shell burst beneath the bridge, ■wrecking that part of the ship, and killing or wounding every officer on duty thereabouts. One of the most important features of Captain Matousevlfch’s dispatch is a detailed statement of the “malce-up ,J of Rear-Admiral Togo's fleet, which consisted of six battleships, eleven cruisers (of various classes}, and approximately, thirty torpedo boats. According to this statement, there were in the line of battle some ships previously reported destroyed. This gives indication of a Japanese naval force which Admiral Togo has hitherto concealed.

Viceroy Alcxieff, in a despatch to the Emperor, giver, the following report from Captain Matousevitch, under date of August 12th;—"At dawn on August 10th our Port Arthur squadron began lo make for the open sea, and emerged from port at 0 o’clock. The squadron consisted of six battleships, tho cruisers Askold, Diana, Pallada and Novilr, and eight torpedo boats, tho Japanese opposing us with the following force;—First detachment— A.sahi, Mikasa, Fuji, Ynshima. and Shikishima, and the cruisers Nisshin and Kasuga; second detachment—the cruisers Yakumo, Tvasagi, Chitose and Takasago; third detachment—the cruisers Akitsusliima, Tdtsumo. Matsushima. Itsukushima. and ITashidate. and battleship Chinyen, with about thirty torpedo boats. Our squadron manoeuvred to gain a passage through the line of the enemy’s ships. Meantime, tho Japanese torpedo boats were laying floating mines in the way of our squadron, thus rendering evolutions very difficult. At 1 p.m., our squadron, after forty minutes’ fighting, succeeded in effecting a passage and shaped its course towards Shantung. The enemy, following at full speed, caught up with us slowly, and at five o’clock fighting again began, and continued for some hours without either side obtaining any advantage. in fighting, tho commander of our squadron was killed, and the captain of tho battleship Czarevitch was wounded, and lost consciousness. Almost at the same time the engines and steering gear of tho Czarevitch were damaged, and she was obliged to stop forty minutes. “This forced the other ships to man-ouevre around her. The command of tho squadron devolved upon Rear-Admiral Prince Ukhtomsky,and the command of the Czarevitch on tho second in command. After nightfall the Czarevitch, being unable to follow the squadron, and losing sight of it, took a southerly direction in an attempt to reach Vladivostok. Sho was attacked by torpedo boats during the night, and at dawn was in the vicinity of onantung. Iho officers commanding 'the squadron having examined and detennini , le , e ? tent °f damage to tho shin, concluded that sho coul 1 not make Vladivofltock and allowed her captain to proceed to Iviao-chau for repairs. X arrived at Kmo-chau at <J o’clock in tho evening, and fount] there (he cruiser Novik and the torpedo boat Bezshumi. I am hnppv to bear witness to your Majesty of the unexampled bravery of the officers and m ™ during the desperate encounter. rue * act: Diat the crushing nature of the blow to the Russian fleet was largely due to the feeling of comradeship which prompted the squadron to halt for the purpose of protecting the disabled Czarevitch is viewed here with grim satisfaction, and regret is mingled with admiration for brother officers who threw awav their only chance of escape, rather than desert the crippled flagship. The Russians are inclined to regard the Retchitclin affair as reflecting unfavourably on Chinese neutrality. The Chinese Admiral at Chefoo is criticised for allowing the Japanese torpedo boat to cuter Chefoo'without disarming, as the Russians wore promptly disarmed. It is claimed that tho Chinese should have taken off the crew of the* Ketehitcliu and placed a guard on board the dismantled vessel.