BLOWN UP BY A SHELL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11392, 24 October 1904, Page 5

BLOWN UP BY A SHELL.

JAPANESE 'CAPTAIN'S EXPERIENCE. " Commander Nirutaka, the captain of the 'Japanese vessel Akuzuki, which took part in one of the early attacks on ,Port Arthur, has written a book containing some of his experiences. Extracts published in the 'New York Herald give a very vivid idea of the terrors of modern naval war-"; fare. s \ In the course of one action the Akuzuki received an interesting proof of the value of wireless telegraphy in naval warfare. A few- minutes after the action began a message was received from the cruiser Akashi —Shot No. 3 fell about 500 metres too far ; side sighting seems good." The Akuzuki was therefore able to rectify its aim and reach the object in view, despite the ' fact that a hill lay between it and the warship. ' Most of the Russian shells fell wide. **I was just .thinking," says Commander Nirutaka, "that it was very lucky that the shells from Port Arthur did not. reach us, when there was a hissing sound,' a fearful crash, and we were surrounded by yellow smoke and flames. I remember that I wanted to cry out, 'Everybody lie ' down !' but I knew nothing more till I came to my senses in the sick van and found myself lying with my head packed in ice. The doctor informed me that a large shell had landed between the • turret,., and the upper deck. I received no direct injuries I from the explosion, but the concussion of the air had hurled me head first against the side of the turret. "The shell had caused a fearful amount of wreckage. It had gone right through the upper deck, and everything on the lower deck within reach of the' explosion, was swept away. The supports of' the deck were either bent or blow clean away. 1 "Twelve men who were on the 'tweendecks were blown to pieces. The .uuper and lower decks and sides of the ,ship - were covered with blood and brains. Pieces of the shell had pierced even thelower:deck, but did not seem to have done much damdecks were blown to pieces. The upper and a great irregularly shaped hole^ and the planking was all burned."