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Show STORY. OF IHE BRAVERY SHOWN BY JAP SAILORS IN TORPEDO ENGAGEMENT TOKIO. Dec. 19. Vlce-Admiral Togo's To-go's report upon the torpedo operations against the Russian turrent ship Sevastopol Sevas-topol was received today. It says: "On the night of December 14 our torpedo flotillas, made a gallant and brave aeries of Snacks against the Russian Rus-sian turrent ship Sevastopol. "The flotillas arrived outside the entrance en-trance to Port Arthur about midnight on that date. The leading flotilla, under un-der Commander Unchida, and a special torpedo boat, partly for attack and partly to reconnolter, . closely approached ap-proached the Sevastopol at 1 o'clock, and, under the searchlight and Are' of the enemy's ships and shore batteries, they attacked her. "A shell struck Commander Mltamu-ra's Mltamu-ra's torpedo boat and four shots hit Commander Nakamuta's boat, wounding wound-ing three sailors. "Subsequently our flotillas attacked, acting independently. "Flotilla A, Commander Kasama, advanced ad-vanced first, for the purpose of destroying destroy-ing the defenses protecting the Sevan-topol, Sevan-topol, and also to draw and divert the fire under the enemy's searchlights. Flotilla B. under Commander Jlngujl; flotilla C. Commander Otakl: flotilla D, Commander Seki, and flotilla E, Commander Com-mander Kawase, approached successively succes-sively and bravely continued the attacks at-tacks from 2 until 4 o'clock In the morning. morn-ing. "Commander Otaki's flotilla approached ap-proached the closest and delivered the most vigorous attack. 'While retreating, one torpedo boat received several shots simultaneously, her commander, Lieut. Nakahori, and Ave others being killed. The boat lost her freedom of motion, and Lieut. Na-kahara's Na-kahara's boat went to the rescue and, despite the heavy fire, epdeavored to save heK While towing the boat, the enemy's shells severed the hawser. ; Lieut. Nakahara's boat, was also hit and one man killed. Subsequently several sev-eral shells hit and almost disabled Lieut. Nakahara's boat, forcing him to abondon his comrade ship, which was sinking. Lieut. Nakahara, however, steamed back, rescued the crew and abandoned the torpedo boat to her fate. "Commander Kawase's boat, belonging belong-ing to the same flotilla, was struck by a shell, killing one of the crew and wounding Lieut. Takahashl and two sailors. "Lieut. Shono's boat was hit and one of the crew killed and five wounded. The boat was temporarily disabled, but , his comrade ships, with Lleuts. Watae-abe Watae-abe and Mori commanding, protected and rescued her. All the other boats bravely facing the enemy's fire, succeeded suc-ceeded in delivering attacks without suffering any damage. , "The result of their attacks is not definitely known, although it is evident that numerous torpedoes took effect. "The watch tower, reporting on the following morning, said that the Sevastopol Sevas-topol had lowered at the bows considerably, consid-erably, facing toward south-southeast. Her condition is such that she does not change her position in the current. She Is anchored close Inshore, In shallow water. "It Is a source of satisfaction that our torpedo attacks were delivered without the least confusion. Each boat rendered material assistance to Its comrades. The skilful maneuvering and bravery of the officers and men inspires me with a deep feeling of satisfaction I and confidence." |