Changes

The news that the [[Port Arthur]] Squadron had sailed reached Vladivostok in the afternoon of 11 August. But the Vladivostok cruisers were not ready for action. It had been understood that they would receive ample warning when the Port Arthur Squadron was ready to sortie. No such warning had been given, and there was every reason to believe that Admiral [[Vitgeft]] was immovable. The last word received from him was in a telegram received on 5 August, in which he announced that "after prayer and full consideration" his final decision was to perish with the fortress. Consequently, the Vladivostok Squadron was leisurely coaling when the news of the sortie arrived.

The news that the [[Port Arthur]] Squadron had sailed reached Vladivostok in the afternoon of 11 August. But the Vladivostok cruisers were not ready for action. It had been understood that they would receive ample warning when the Port Arthur Squadron was ready to sortie. No such warning had been given, and there was every reason to believe that Admiral [[Vitgeft]] was immovable. The last word received from him was in a telegram received on 5 August, in which he announced that "after prayer and full consideration" his final decision was to perish with the fortress. Consequently, the Vladivostok Squadron was leisurely coaling when the news of the sortie arrived.

Owing to the delay in sailing there was little hope of being able to assist Admiral Vitgeft's squadron at the critical passage of the [[Tsushima Strait]]. It was calculated that if Vitgeft was successful, and the Port Arthur Squadron was able to break through, it would already be coming up the [[Sea of Japan]]. Admiral [[Iessen]], therefore, formed his ships in line abreast at intervals of four nautical miles and headed southward at 14 knots, in hourly expectation of sighting the Port Arthur Squadron.

Owing to the delay in sailing there was little hope of being able to assist Admiral Vitgeft's squadron at the critical passage of the [[Tsushima Strait]]. It was calculated that if Vitgeft was successful, and the Port Arthur Squadron was able to break through, it would already be coming up the [[Sea of Japan]]. Admiral [[Nikolai Iessen]], therefore, formed his ships in line abreast at intervals of four nautical miles and headed southward at 14 knots, in hourly expectation of sighting the Port Arthur Squadron.

That night the Vladivostok Squadron closed up into line ahead and continued on to the southward at a reduced speed throughout the next day. It was a serious disappointment that nothing had been seen of the Port Arthur Squadron and the hope that it might yet be met with in the strait was still clung to. Admiral Iessen informed his captains that at dawn they would be approaching [[Tsushima]], and that it was his intention not to enter the strait but to cruise all day on the parallel of [[Fusan]]. Before dark they sighted the [[Korean]] coast, and closed with Fusan.

That night the Vladivostok Squadron closed up into line ahead and continued on to the southward at a reduced speed throughout the next day. It was a serious disappointment that nothing had been seen of the Port Arthur Squadron and the hope that it might yet be met with in the strait was still clung to. Admiral Iessen informed his captains that at dawn they would be approaching [[Tsushima]], and that it was his intention not to enter the strait but to cruise all day on the parallel of [[Fusan]]. Before dark they sighted the [[Korean]] coast, and closed with Fusan.

At this time Admiral [[Kamimura]] was to the eastward of them heading for a position 30 nautical miles northeast of [[Ulsan]] where he was to patrol in the hope of intercepting the Russians. The two squadrons had passed very close to one another in the dark on opposite courses but neither was aware of the other. At dawn, Admiral Iessen succeeded in reaching Fusan unobserved and with the strait wide open. Had it been his intention to pass them he could have run through the Western Channel without anything but torpedo-boats in his way. But this was not his plan, so at 0500 hrs, in accordance with his decision to await the coming of the Port Arthur Squadron in the northern approaches to the straits, he began to turn west towards the Korean coast.

At this time Admiral [[Kamimura Hikonojo]] was to the eastward of them heading for a position 30 nautical miles northeast of [[Ulsan]] where he was to patrol in the hope of intercepting the Russians. The two squadrons had passed very close to one another in the dark on opposite courses but neither was aware of the other. At dawn, Admiral Iessen succeeded in reaching Fusan unobserved and with the strait wide open. Had it been his intention to pass them he could have run through the Western Channel without anything but torpedo-boats in his way. But this was not his plan, so at 0500 hrs, in accordance with his decision to await the coming of the Port Arthur Squadron in the northern approaches to the straits, he began to turn west towards the Korean coast.

==The Battle Begins==

==The Battle Begins==