SunScream
08 Sep 06, 16:56
18th February 1904.
The Vladivostock Squadron has been split up. All the cruisers are cruising alone, reinforced by new arrivals Novik and Boyarin who have made the perilous voyage from Port Arthur not entirely unscathed. Angara is due shortly and neither Lyena or Askold made it, both caught and sunk by the same Japanese squadron, Lyena in a night encounter, Askold caught unawares and accidentally ramming Chiyoda.
Rossiya is patrolling the minor shipping area just off the coast of Japan hoping to snap up a choice morsel or two. As the day wears on a call comes from the crow's nest, "Small ship fine on the port bow!"
The captain orders revolutions for twenty knots and the ship heels as she turns towards the quarry. As the crew go to their action stations, the range to target ticks down rapidly - the enemy cannot flee in the opposite direction due to being caught against the shore. As the range drops below 4km, the Japanese open fire with their tiny guns. They score a single hit, but no damage results. Rossiya closes, guns silent, crews waiting with keen anticipation of the battle to come. The Japanese vessel's name is now readable and a crewman who is familiar with the enemy's language gives her name: Hikosan Maru.
"Auxiliary cruiser, four 47mm guns", says the watch officer.
The Japanese vessel turns, swinging across the bow of the Rossiya.
"Let us see how quickly we can destroy him", says the captain, "Open fire".
One 8 inch gun is lined up exactly already. The gun captain steps back and fires before anyone else gets a chance.
It is a perfect shot. It hits the Hikosan Maru low down near the stern. There is a blinding flash and a huge cloud of smoke completely obscures the little cruiser. When the smoke clears there is no sign of the ship except for a dirty scum on the water with a few fragments of wood floating in it. More debris bubbles up a moment later, but of the crew there is no sign.
The watch officer looks to the captain. "Enemy destroyed. One round fired, total engagement time two seconds."
The captain smiles grimly.
"With shooting like that we have enough ammunition on this one ship to bring the Japanese to their knees!" His face clouds over. "Now I have to do the damned paperwork. Reduce speed to 17kts, course 282 and secure from action stations. Tell the crew well done."
The Vladivostock Squadron has been split up. All the cruisers are cruising alone, reinforced by new arrivals Novik and Boyarin who have made the perilous voyage from Port Arthur not entirely unscathed. Angara is due shortly and neither Lyena or Askold made it, both caught and sunk by the same Japanese squadron, Lyena in a night encounter, Askold caught unawares and accidentally ramming Chiyoda.
Rossiya is patrolling the minor shipping area just off the coast of Japan hoping to snap up a choice morsel or two. As the day wears on a call comes from the crow's nest, "Small ship fine on the port bow!"
The captain orders revolutions for twenty knots and the ship heels as she turns towards the quarry. As the crew go to their action stations, the range to target ticks down rapidly - the enemy cannot flee in the opposite direction due to being caught against the shore. As the range drops below 4km, the Japanese open fire with their tiny guns. They score a single hit, but no damage results. Rossiya closes, guns silent, crews waiting with keen anticipation of the battle to come. The Japanese vessel's name is now readable and a crewman who is familiar with the enemy's language gives her name: Hikosan Maru.
"Auxiliary cruiser, four 47mm guns", says the watch officer.
The Japanese vessel turns, swinging across the bow of the Rossiya.
"Let us see how quickly we can destroy him", says the captain, "Open fire".
One 8 inch gun is lined up exactly already. The gun captain steps back and fires before anyone else gets a chance.
It is a perfect shot. It hits the Hikosan Maru low down near the stern. There is a blinding flash and a huge cloud of smoke completely obscures the little cruiser. When the smoke clears there is no sign of the ship except for a dirty scum on the water with a few fragments of wood floating in it. More debris bubbles up a moment later, but of the crew there is no sign.
The watch officer looks to the captain. "Enemy destroyed. One round fired, total engagement time two seconds."
The captain smiles grimly.
"With shooting like that we have enough ammunition on this one ship to bring the Japanese to their knees!" His face clouds over. "Now I have to do the damned paperwork. Reduce speed to 17kts, course 282 and secure from action stations. Tell the crew well done."