Changes

* ''[[Japanese]] (The Combined Fleet) Vs. [[Russian]] (Second and Third Pacific Squadrons)''  

* ''Japan (The Combined Fleet) Vs. [[Russia]] (Second and Third Pacific Squadrons)''  

** ''Period: [[1904]]-[[1905|05]]''

** ''Date: 27 May [[1905]]''

''Navigating Flag Lieutenant [[Filippovsky]] aboard [[Kn. Suvorov]]''

:''"It is absurd to think of steaming victoriously into [[Vladivostok]], or of getting command of the sea! The only possible chance is a dash through, and having dashed through, after two, three, or at the most four sallies, we shall have burnt all our supplies of coal, and have shed our blossoms before we have bloomed. We shall have to prepare for a siege, take our guns on shore, teach the crew to use bayonets."''

 

In October 1904, Russia's Baltic Fleet, now renamed the [[Second Pacific Squadron]], was preparing to set out on its long and difficult journey to reinforce the embattled [[Russian]] naval forces at [[Port Arthur]]. The difficulties facing Rear Admiral Zinovi Petrovitch [[Rozhdestvenski]] were unprecedented. Coal-fired warships were not designed for 18,000-mile journeys without the benefit of extensive dockyard facilities along the way. Their reciprocating engines pounded themselves to pieces over long periods of time, unless run at their slowest speeds, and were prone to breakdowns. Their steam boilers needed frequent cleaning that made the heat of the tropics,  

''-Navigating Flag Lieutenant [[Filippovsky]] aboard [[Kn. Suvorov]]''

especially for the Russian crewman, an unbearable hell.

 

In October 1904, Russia's Baltic Fleet, now renamed the [[Second Pacific Squadron]], was preparing to set out on its long and difficult journey to reinforce the embattled [[Russian]] naval forces at [[Port Arthur]]. The difficulties facing Rear Admiral Zinovi Petrovitch [[Rozhdestvenski]] were unprecedented. Coal-fired warships were not designed for 18,000-mile journeys without the benefit of extensive dockyard facilities along the way. Their reciprocating engines pounded themselves to pieces over long periods of time, unless run at their slowest speeds, and were prone to breakdowns. Their steam boilers needed frequent cleaning that made the heat of the tropics, especially for the Russian crewman, an unbearable hell.

Raw crews, many of whom had never sailed before and who felt that the war was already lost, manned the ships. Others were plotting revolution. There was a shortage of engineers forcing the commandeering of many from private shipping firms. Most of the [[Baltic Fleet]] was made up of men whose love of home was stronger than their sense of duty. Gunnery and ship handling were things of mystery. Nothing went right during two weeks of practice. Ships collided with each other, and the gunners seemed hopeless. Rozhdestvenski's optimism was fading.

Raw crews, many of whom had never sailed before and who felt that the war was already lost, manned the ships. Others were plotting revolution. There was a shortage of engineers forcing the commandeering of many from private shipping firms. Most of the [[Baltic Fleet]] was made up of men whose love of home was stronger than their sense of duty. Gunnery and ship handling were things of mystery. Nothing went right during two weeks of practice. Ships collided with each other, and the gunners seemed hopeless. Rozhdestvenski's optimism was fading.

On 15 October 1904, the Second Pacific Squadron finally set sail from the Baltic and headed toward their comrades at Port Arthur, it would be May 1905 before they finally arrived.

On 15 October 1904, the Second Pacific Squadron finally set sail from the Baltic and headed toward their comrades at Port Arthur, it would be May 1905 before they finally arrived.

:'''"Kokoku no kohai kono issen ni ari; kakuin isso funrei doryoku seyo"'''

:''"Kokoku no kohai kono issen ni ari; kakuin isso funrei doryoku seyo"''

The fate of the Empire rests upon this one battle; let every man do his utmost.  

''(The fate of the Empire rests upon this one battle; let every man do his utmost.)''

''Admiral [[Togo]] to the [[Japanese Fleet]], 27 May 1905''

''-Admiral [[Togo]] to the [[Japanese Fleet]], 27 May 1905''

After nearly superhuman effort and an unprecedented voyage of 18,000 miles around the world from the Baltic, the now Vice Admiral Zinovi Petrovitch Rozhdestvenski, by May 1905 was steaming through the [[South China Sea]]. The [[Third Pacific Squadron]], under the command of Rear Admiral Nikolai [[Nebogatov]], had joined Rozhdestvenski's fleet that month. The reinforcement sent by [[St. Petersburg]] was actually more of a hindrance than help. Nebogatov's ships  

After nearly superhuman effort and an unprecedented voyage of 18,000 miles around the world from the Baltic, the now Vice Admiral Zinovi Petrovitch Rozhdestvenski, by May 1905 was steaming through the [[South China Sea]]. The [[Third Pacific Squadron]], under the command of Rear Admiral Nikolai [[Nebogatov]], had joined Rozhdestvenski's fleet that month. The reinforcement sent by [[St. Petersburg]] was actually more of a hindrance than help. Nebogatov's ships  

seas. With the condition of his fleet and the need to make Vladivostok before his coal was gone, Rozhdestvenski made the only choice he could. Tsushima Strait would have to be his chosen route.  

seas. With the condition of his fleet and the need to make Vladivostok before his coal was gone, Rozhdestvenski made the only choice he could. Tsushima Strait would have to be his chosen route.  

Through the night of 26-27 May, the Russian fleet, steaming at 9 knots finally began to penetrate the Tsushima Strait. Admiral Rozhdestvenski's fleet, steaming with lights dimmed, pushed deeply into the straits and passed through the Japanese outer patrol line. Unfortunately for the Russians the hospital ship [[Orel]], stationed several miles to the rear of the fleet, was lit up like a Christmas tree in observance of international law. [[Shinano Maru]], one of the Japanese auxiliary cruisers that had been out on the outer patrol line was returning to her day  

Through the night of 26-27 May, the Russian fleet, steaming at 9 knots finally began to penetrate the Tsushima Strait. Admiral Rozhdestvenski's fleet, steaming with lights dimmed, pushed deeply into the straits and passed through the Japanese outer patrol line. Unfortunately for the Russians the hospital ship [[Orel]], stationed several miles to the rear of the fleet, was lit up like a Christmas tree in observance of international law. [[Shinano Maru]], one of the Japanese auxiliary cruisers that had been out on the outer patrol line was returning to her day station when she sighted Orel. Captain [[Morikawa]], commander of Shinano Maru, correctly identified the Russian vessel and after radioing his report, "Enemy's smoke in sight", at 0445 hrs dashed off to the north in pursuit of the now visible Russian fleet.

station when she sighted Orel. Captain [[Morikawa]], commander of Shinano Maru, correctly identified the Russian vessel and after radioing his report, "Enemy's smoke in sight", at 0445 hrs dashed off to the north in pursuit of the now visible Russian fleet.

Shortly after 0630 hrs [[Mikasa]] joined the fleet in [[Douglas Inlet]] having left [[Sylvia Basin]] upon receipt of the sighting report. A few minutes later a report came in from [[Idzumi]], which had been shadowing the Russians since dawn. The Russians were heading for the Eastern Channel. Togo led his ships to sea, heading round to the north of Tsushima Island and then southeast toward Okinoshima, the place where nearly a year ago the Russians had sunk the  

Shortly after 0630 hrs [[Mikasa]] joined the fleet in [[Douglas Inlet]] having left [[Sylvia Basin]] upon receipt of the sighting report. A few minutes later a report came in from [[Idzumi]], which had been shadowing the Russians since dawn. The Russians were heading for the Eastern Channel. Togo led his ships to sea, heading round to the north of Tsushima Island and then southeast toward Okinoshima, the place where nearly a year ago the Russians had sunk the  

off his port bow. Then at 1339 hrs with the mist clearing the enemy fleet came into sight, only they were to the southwest off his starboard bow.

off his port bow. Then at 1339 hrs with the mist clearing the enemy fleet came into sight, only they were to the southwest off his starboard bow.

Admiral Togo may have been surprised by the Russian's position, but he quickly reacted. Togo ordered his ships to starboard and crossed the Russian's path as if to attack the port column, which his scouts had reported to be the weaker of the two, on an opposite course.

Admiral Togo may have been surprised by the Russian's position, but he quickly reacted. Togo ordered his ships to starboard and crossed the Russian's path as if to attack the port column, which his scouts had reported to be the weaker of the two, on an opposite course.

Then to the amazement of the Russian commanders and sailors alike, Togo led his fleet in a great U-turn, coming up on a parallel course with the Russians on their port side. The following account is by Vladimir [[Semenoff]], taken from his book "The Battle of Tsushima":  

Then to the amazement of the Russian commanders and sailors alike, Togo led his fleet in a great U-turn, coming up on a parallel course with the Russians on their port side.  

 

The following account is by Vladimir [[Semenoff]], taken from his book "The Battle of Tsushima":  

:"Now the fun will begin," thought I to myself, going up to the after-bridge, which seemed to be the most convenient place for carrying out my duty of seeing and noting down everything, as from there I could see both the enemy and our own fleet. Lieutenant Reydkin, commanding the after starboard 6-inch turret, was also there, having dashed up to see what was going on, as the fight was apparently to commence to port, and his turret would not be in action.

:"Now the fun will begin," thought I to myself, going up to the after-bridge, which seemed to be the most convenient place for carrying out my duty of seeing and noting down everything, as from there I could see both the enemy and our own fleet. Lieutenant Reydkin, commanding the after starboard 6-inch turret, was also there, having dashed up to see what was going on, as the fight was apparently to commence to port, and his turret would not be in action.

:"Yes. Those are they."

:"Yes. Those are they."

But what struck me most was that these " portmanteaus," curving awkwardly head over heels through the air and falling anyhow on the water, exploded the moment they touched its surface. This had never happened before.

But what struck me most was that these "portmanteaus," curving awkwardly head over heels through the air and falling anyhow on the water, exploded the moment they touched its surface. This had never happened before.

After them came others short of us- nearer and nearer. Splinters whistled through the air, jingled against the side and superstructure. Then, quite close and abreast the foremost funnel, rose a gigantic pillar of smoke, water and flame. I saw stretchers being carried along the fore-bridge, and I leaned over the rail.

After them came others short of us- nearer and nearer. Splinters whistled through the air, jingled against the side and superstructure. Then, quite close and abreast the foremost funnel, rose a gigantic pillar of smoke, water and flame. I saw stretchers being carried along the fore-bridge, and I leaned over the rail.

I had probably been unconscious for some time, as the fire had been extinguished, and, save for two or three dead bodies on which water was pouring from the torn hoses, no one was to be seen. Whatever had struck me had come from the direction of the deck house aft, which was hidden from me by a mantlet of hammocks. I looked in the direction where the flag-officers, with a party of poop signalmen, should have been. The shell had passed through the deck house, bursting inside. Of the ten or twelve signalmen, some seemed to be standing by the starboard 6-inch turret,  

I had probably been unconscious for some time, as the fire had been extinguished, and, save for two or three dead bodies on which water was pouring from the torn hoses, no one was to be seen. Whatever had struck me had come from the direction of the deck house aft, which was hidden from me by a mantlet of hammocks. I looked in the direction where the flag-officers, with a party of poop signalmen, should have been. The shell had passed through the deck house, bursting inside. Of the ten or twelve signalmen, some seemed to be standing by the starboard 6-inch turret,  

others seemed to be lying in a huddled group. Inside was a pile of something, and on the top lay an officers telescope.

others seemed to be lying in a huddled group. Inside was a pile of something, and on the top lay an officers [[telescope]].

:"Is this all that is left?" I wondered, but I was wrong, as by some miracle Novosiltseff and Kozakevitch were only wounded and, helped by Maximoff, had gone to the dressing station, while I was lying on the deck occupied with mending my watch.

:"Is this all that is left?" I wondered, but I was wrong, as by some miracle Novosiltseff and Kozakevitch were only wounded and, helped by Maximoff, had gone to the dressing station, while I was lying on the deck occupied with mending my watch.

Instead of two dead bodies, five or six were now lying in the conning tower. The man at the wheel having been incapacitated, Vladimirsky had taken his place. His face was covered with blood, but his moustache was smartly twisted upwards, and he wore the same self-confident look as he had in the wardroom when discussing "the future of gunnery."

Instead of two dead bodies, five or six were now lying in the conning tower. The man at the wheel having been incapacitated, Vladimirsky had taken his place. His face was covered with blood, but his moustache was smartly twisted upwards, and he wore the same self-confident look as he had in the wardroom when discussing "the future of gunnery."

Within the hour, the battle was decided. Four Russian battleships were put out of commission by the concentrated fire of Admirals Togo and Kamimura's divisions. The Russian ships scattered, and the battle quickly degenerated into a melee. The shelling continued till 1920 hrs, when Admiral Togo ordered his flotillas to finish off the rest.

Within the hour, the battle was decided. Four Russian battleships were put out of commission by the concentrated fire of Admirals Togo and Kamimura's divisions. The Russian ships scattered, and the battle quickly degenerated into a melee. The shelling continued till 1920 hrs, when Admiral Togo ordered his flotillas to finish off the rest.

==References==

==References==

*Politovsky, Eugene S. ''From Libau to Tsushima'' E.P. Dutton & Co., 1906

*Politovsky, Eugene S. ''From Libau to Tsushima'' E.P. Dutton & Co., 1906

[[Category:Battles|Tsushima]]

[[Category:Battles|Tsushima]]

[[Category:Meiji Period|Tsushima]]

[[Category:Meiji Period|Tsushima]]