Before us is the author's translation of the reports of the English attaché attached to the armored cruiser "Asama" by the captain of the Royal Navy D. de M. Hutchison (captain J. de M. Hutchison). These documents were compiled for the British Admiralty in July (August) 1904 on the basis of the records that the British observer kept during the battle on July 28 (August 10) 1904, while aboard the cruiser Asama.
During the discussion of the first part of the work, a question was raised, which, perhaps, will be answered by a brief description of the entire pre-war service of the cruiser, presented earlier by the period immediately adjacent to the beginning of the Russian-Japanese war.
After being handed over to the customer, on March 19, 1899, the cruiser sailed to Japan, where she arrived two months later, on May 17, 1899. Upon the arrival of Asama, she was docked at the Yokosuka naval arsenal, where specialists carried out a technical check of the power plant, after what the sea trials of the ship were carried out. In February of the following year, new bearings of the main shaft lines were installed on the cruiser, and in early spring she took part in three "Great maneuvers" of the fleet. A year later, "Asama" again came to Yokosuka for routine maintenance of the power plant, after which he returned to service in the "Standby Squadron" (consisting of the most modern and efficient ships), periodically participating in various levels of maneuvers and exercises. On April 30, 1900, during the naval parade in Kobe, Emperor Meiji was present on board the cruiser. During the Yihetuan uprising, the ship was sent in 1901 to the shores of Northern China, where it was based in the Dagu and Shanhaiguan regions. April 7, 1902 "Asama" departs for England as part of a detachment of warships under the flag of Rear Admiral Ijūin Gor (creator of the Ijuin projectile detonator), where on August 16, 1902 she takes part in the Spithead raid parade dedicated to the celebration of the coronation of King Edward VII.
After returning to Japan on November 28, 1902, in March-April 1903. "Asama" takes part in four "Great maneuvers" of the fleet. From April 12, 1902 to September 1 of the same year, the cruiser is in the 1st category reserve (that is, with the preservation of the full staff of the crew), after which she again becomes part of the "Constant Readiness Squadron". In general, the cruiser was quite intensively exploited in the years preceding the Russo-Japanese War. The information we have gives us reason to believe that forty-five months before the first major overhaul of the power plant, during which Asama was a member of the Standing Squadron, the ship covered a distance of about twenty-one to twenty-two thousand nautical miles.
In May-June 1903, on the armored cruiser Asama, docked at the naval arsenal in Kura, the power plant was repaired and worn out units and mechanisms were replaced. However, on the subsequent sea trials, a number of new malfunctions of the mechanisms of the main power plant appeared. In the early autumn of the same year, the cruiser was again sent for overhaul in Kure, during which, in addition to repair and adjustment of machines with the replacement of grease and babbitt, all air ducts, refractory bricks of furnaces, water pipes, as well as bearings on the lines of the main shafts were replaced … In the second half of September 1903, "Asama", having a displacement of 9 855 tons, during sea trials developed with natural thrust and power of mechanisms 14 021 liters. with. course 19, 5 knots.
The cruiser "Asama", on the morning of July 28 (August 10), was in the Elliot Islands, after receiving information about the departure of the Russian squadron from Port Arthur, left the parking lot in the morning at 11 a. m. (10:15), having divorced pairs for an 18-knot stroke.
2.30 p. m. (13:45). It was reported that the Russians were heading south of Encounter Rock, with a fleet of 6 battleships, 4 cruisers and 14 fighters.
3.20 p. m. (14:35). A steamer passing by signaled that the two squadrons were engaged in a lively exchange of fire.
3.45 p. m. (15:00) Asama abeam Round Island, 10 miles, heading south, speed 16 knots. We observe the spars of the ships of the 5th combat detachment (flag of Rear Admiral H. Yamada: 2 armored cruisers "Hasidate" and "Matsushima", 1 battleship of the 2nd class "Chin-Yen"), heading east. Their hulls are hidden by the horizon line, bearing SW In the field of view - the 3rd combat detachment (flag of Rear Admiral S. Dev: 3 armored cruisers "Kassagi", "Takasago" and "Chitose"), heading east, bearing S. through W. Later, fighters and destroyers were seen following in the same direction.
4.30 p. m. (3:45 pm) Encounter Rock, sixteen miles, bearing N. W. Watching the smoke of 11 ships rising on the horizon, going from S to S. E.
4.50 p. m. (16:05) The Russians counted 11 ships, one of which is a hospital ship, going behind six battleships and four cruisers. Asama changed course south. Japanese 1st Combat Detachment - six ships coming from the east opened on the horizon straight ahead. The Russian main forces are marching towards ESE, four cruisers some distance to their left, SE bearing 6th combat detachment came into view, bearing S. ½ W. (flag of Rear Admiral M. Togo (Tōgō Minoru): 4 armored cruisers Akashi, Suma, Akitsushima, Itsukushima).
5.20 p. m. (16:35). At a speed of 18 knots, Asama crossed the course of the Russian squadron (ESE), changing course from SE to E. As of this time, the general disposition of the main forces is as follows: Russian battleships go forward, ESE course, ESE bearing, distance (to battleships enemy) 12 miles. The Japanese battleships are heading for E. S. E., bearing S. E., a distance (to their own battleships) of 12 to 14 miles. Combat Detachment 3 is heading E. S. E., bearing S. E., range 7 miles. Combat Unit 5 is heading S. E., bearing N. E.., range 7 miles. The 6th battle cruiser detachment is coming from the east, bearing S., distance 7 miles. On the right are the cruiser Yaeyama with fighters and destroyers following two lines in the direction from S. E. to E.
5.40 p. m. (16:55). Both squadrons opened fire, while (Japanese), counting the distance to the enemy from 8000 to 9000 yards (7315, 2 - 8229, 6 meters) (in fact, from 7000 to 8000 yards - Hutchison's note).
5.45 p. m. (17:00). A huge cloud of black smoke is seen rising amidships on the lead Russian ship, caused by a heavy projectile hit. At the same time, we have to admit that all the time, while the Russian ships were describing the circulation, one could only guess about the location of individual Russian battleships, since the entire compound was shrouded in thick clouds of smoke rising from their pipes. The Russian cruisers had moved shortly before, finding themselves to the left of the head of the battleship column. The hospital ship (Mongolia) took up a position about 8 miles on the port side of the last ship in the line.
6.25 p. m. (17:40). Asama has changed course to E. S. E. and is moving between two lines of fighters and destroyers. The state of the sea can be judged by the fact that (even) small destroyers, despite the speed of 16 knots, do not raise spray with their stems, but only periodically (slightly) dip their nose into the water due to a slight swell.
6.30 p. m. (17:45). The 4th squadron of fighters (Hayadori, Harusame, Asagiri, Murasame) crossed the bow of the Asama's course while on NNE This change in direction of their movement, no doubt, was caused by the position of the last Russian battleship ("Poltava") in the line, which lagged a considerable distance from the rest of the ships. The battleship received several heavy shells and, apparently, is unable to maintain the desired speed.
6.30 p. m. (17:45). Shells hitting the second and fifth Russian battleships are visible.
6.40 p. m. (17:55). The lead Russian ship turned 8 points to the port side. It was soon noticed that other ships followed him. Due to the fact that the ships were built, it was impossible to judge the exact position of the Russian battleships (relative to each other), but the impression was that the Russian battleships were moving in a circle. Low-creeping smoke made it difficult to observe (for the Russian battleships). The Japanese armadillos seem to be bleeding off steam. From that moment until eight in the evening it was impossible to make out what was happening in the direction of the scene of the 1st combat detachment. The sixth Russian battleship ("Poltava"), far behind his detachment, after the lead ship ("Tsesarevich") turned sharply to the left, next shifted the rudder to the left side. The cruisers of the 3rd Combat Squad, with the exception of Yakumo, took up a position to the right of the 1st Combat Squad, traversing it. The 6th Combat Detachment was nearby. The Yakumo was first spotted (quickly) moving forward, as if intending to lead the 1st Combat Squad, but was subsequently observed behind the squad's trailing ship, stepping to the right (of the Nissin). Fighters and destroyers, putting the right rudder, approach the main forces (Japanese); the returning Russian cruisers are visible, taking up position north of their battleships.
7.08 p. m. (18:23). The Asama changed course by turning to the left, heading for N., in the direction of the Russian cruisers. Soon, to check the distance, a shot was fired from a bow 8 cannon, the fired projectile lay undershot at a distance of 9,000 yards (8229.6 meters).
7.20 p. m. (18:35). The Russian cruisers, noticing that "Asama" is moving in their direction, begin to describe the circulation (in the opposite direction). The lagging Russian battleship ("Poltava") opened fire on the "Asam". Several large shells fall close to the cruiser, one of them no further than fifty yards (45, 72 meters) from the side of the ship. At the same time, it was especially clearly noticeable that Russian shells did not explode (when dropped into the water) and did not ricochet.
At 7.25 p. m. (18:40). "Asama", which approached the Russian cruisers at 7,500 yards (6858 meters), came under concentrated fire from all four cruisers and the battleship ("Poltava"). Fortunately, none of the shells hit the target, but a significant number of them fell nearby, and the commander of the ship, who was on the battle marsh, was slightly shell-shocked (by a nearby shell). The distance to the enemy was reduced to 6,800 yards (6,217.92 meters).
7.30 p. m. (18:45). The course taken by the Asama brought the ship into close proximity to the 5th combat detachment. As a result, the ships of the formation were forced to put the rudder to the left, making a turn by 16 points. As the ships of the 5th Detachment parted from the Asam, they consistently opened fire on the Russian cruisers and the battleship (Poltava). This forced the cruiser to abandon the circular movement, and they, huddled together, headed south. Twilight deepened very quickly, making it difficult to pinpoint exactly what was happening (with the Russian cruisers).
8.00 p. m. (19:15). Suddenly it was discovered that the Russian battleships were heading in the direction of Asam, and the rapidly approaching lead ship (Retvizan?) Sent several 6 "and one 12" rounds flying over the cruiser. It was lucky that it was almost dark, otherwise the cruiser would not have avoided being hit by a 12 "shell."., E. and finally, following the rest of the night on the SE, joined the 1st Combat Squadron at 6:30 am (05:45) the next morning.
8.15 p. m. (19:30). The 4th fighter squadron was spotted close to the starboard side. When "Asama" turned left, at 8.30 p. m. (19:45), the ships crossed the ship's course at some distance directly along the course of the Asama. The flagship Russian battleship was spotted at a considerable distance, following at a distance of eight cables from the rear matelot. The other battleships went at intervals of about four cables without any order, huddled in a heap.
8.40 p. m. (19:55). We observe an advanced Russian battleship firing on its starboard side. Shortly thereafter, the rest of the Russian battleships opened fire.
8.50 p. m. (20:05). A Russian ship was observed firing a signal flare. Asama gradually got so far away that it became impossible to see anything even through binoculars. The rumble of gunfire was not heard until about midnight.
Thus ended this eventful day, with two distinct phases of combat. By firing back (on the retreat), the Russians did the best they could do on their return to Port Arthur - successfully avoid being hit by Japanese torpedoes. After the battle, the 1st combat detachment headed south in order to avoid possible attacks by Russian fighters. At 6.00 a. m. (05:45) July 29 (August 11) 1904 "Asama" was included in the 1st combat detachment.
During the battle, the cruiser fired only high-explosive shells. Fired 51 shells of 8 "caliber. Including the right bow - 15, left bow - 12; right stern - 13, left bow - 11 shells. 113 shells of 6" caliber were fired, out of fourteen medium-caliber guns only gun No. 2 did not fire …
Temperatures in engine rooms were kept at 120 ° F (48.89 ° C) and boiler rooms at 138 ° F (58.89 ° C). A group of fans was used in each engine room, with natural draft in the boiler rooms. All mine artillery crews were covered under the armored deck. These people were not involved (at their guns), since the distance to the enemy exceeded (always) 5,000 yards (4,572 meters). If necessary, they could be called to the nearest guns (firing at the enemy).
Notes:
The time difference between the meridians of Port Arthur and Kobe is fifty-five minutes. Since in the Russian navy, the time was counted from a "numbered place", "local time" appears in Russian descriptions of the battle. The difference between "local" Russian time and Japanese time in the battle at Cape Shantung was forty-five minutes.
In the text, the time is given in Japanese, as in the original English reports, next to it in brackets is Russian (as amended). Also, in some places in the text, there are notes in parentheses. This is done in order, on the one hand, to leave the phrase as close as possible to the original, on the other hand, to clarify or better understand the meaning of the phrase following from its context.
