Double Whisky
Member
On board of Tsesarevitch
anchored on the roadstead of the Vladivostok
2-nd day of August 1904
Your Majesty !
Admiral Pyotr Alexeievitch Byezobrazov, Commander In Chief of First Pacific Squadron, granted to me a great privilege to send this report directly to Your Majesty.
Accordingly, I hereby do have a honour to inform Your Majesty, that in obedience to Your Majesty’s orders passed to me by His Highness Viceroy Yevgeny Vladimirovitch Alexeiev, the Port Artur Squadron of First Pacific Squadron sailed from the Port Artur harbour at the morning of the 28-th day of July in order to reach the Vladivostok.
Thanks to the help of God and to superior maneuvering of Your Majesty’s fleet the Squadron was able to slip outside the Japanese forces and to steam towards the Strait of Tsushima. From there the Squadron sailed into the Sea of Japan, and in afternoon of the 31-st day of August met the Independent Cruiser Squadron of First Pacific Squadron, sailing from the Vladivostok under the command of Rear Admiral Karl Petrovich Yessen.
The enemy main force shadowed the Port Artur Squadron from the Yellow Sea and were closing the distance. At the same time enemy cruiser force was sighted to the northeast of Independent Cruiser Squadron, interdicting the course to the Vladivostok.
In order to fight out the way to Vladivostok the First Pacific Squadron accepted the battle in the vicinity of the Ullung Island and fought it with bravery and determination to the final victory.
It is my duty to inform Your Majesty that the losses of the First Pacific Squadron were rather heavy. The protected cruisers Askold and Diana were sunk with all hands on board and Rear Admiral Nikolay Karlovitch Reitzenstein perished with the Askold. The damages to the other ships were negligible.
Thanks to the help of God almost all of the Japanese battleline – with exception of only the single armoured cruiser - was destroyed in the battle.
After the battle Your Majesty’s fleet sailed to the Vladivostok and is anchored there readying for the sortie.
As in the last battle the Russian Imperial Fleet regained the command of the sea I beg Your Majesty to pass the orders to the Port Artur to prepare all the remaining ships there to sail as soon as possible.
According to the orders of Admiral Pyotr Alexeievitch Bezobrazov, immediately after replenishing, the both Port Artur Squadron and Independent Cruiser Squadron, will sail to Port Artur, in order to extricate the remaining ships, mainly the armoured cruiser Bayan, torpedo cruisers and destroyers. It is vital to have all the ships able to cover the distance to Vladivostok ready to sail as soon as possible, even if only provisionally repaired and not in battle ready condition, as the First Pacific Squadron is able to protect them against the remnants of the Japanese fleet.
At the same time I beg Your Majesty to dispatch all the available modern ships from the Second Pacific Squadron to Vladivostok as soon as possible. Upon their arrival it will be possible to start the operations against Japanese bases and home islands. For the time being the First Pacific Squadron will interdict the movement of Japanese transports between the Japan and Korea in order to stop the land offensive of Japanese Army.
In short time I will have the honour to present to Your Majesty the commendations for the awards for gallantry in the Battle of Ullung. For the time being I beg for the prayers for the souls of Rear Admiral Nikolaj Karlovitch Reitzenstein and all others men lost with Your Majesty’s ships Askold and Diana as well as on boards of other ships of the Squadron.
In order to inform Your Majesty as fully as possible I’m attaching to this report preliminary summary of the Battle of Ullung prepared by the Staff of First Port Artur Squadron.
Your Majesty’s obedient servant
Wilhelm Karlovitch Witthöft
Rear Admiral
In command of Port Artur Squadron
First Pacific Squadron
of Russian Imperial Fleet
After the decision was made by the Commanding Admiral to attempt the breakout from Port Artur on July 28-th, the War Council was held on the board of Tsesarevitch, attended by all admirals, division commanders, ship commanders and staff officers.
The decisions were made to avoid the engagement, at least until the meeting with Independent Cruiser Squadron, expected to join the Port Artur Squadron in the Strait of Tsushima.
In the case of battle the Squadron was to try to cross enemy’s “T” or to run before the enemy in line abreast, engaging leading enemy ships from rear turrets in order to slow them down. Reforming to the line of bearing or crossing the “T” in line ahead would be possible against slowed enemy. Cruisers were ordered to keep stations in van and in the rear of main column, and modern battleships were to be stationed in the centre of the battleline. After meeting with Independent Cruiser Squadron its ships were to be placed next to the battleships in the line.
Morning of July 28-th the Squadron sortied from Port Artur and slipped behind the Admiral Dewa’s division, then turned to south and finally to south east.
Admiral Togo’s ships were seen in a distance, but Japanese Commander in Chief tried to gather all his ships to the north of Encounter Rock. As Admiral Dewa decided to join the main body of Japanese fleet instead of trying to slow down the Squadron by bold attack, we were able to steam south east into the night.
Independent Cruiser Squadron was not present in Tsushima strait, so the Squadron proceeded further north to the Sea of Japan.
In the morning of July 31-st the Squadron approached the Ullung Island. The Japanese fleet was seen to the south steaming at utmost speed. Apparently Japanese Commander in Chief decided to leave slower ships behind and was chasing the Squadron with ruthless determination.
The Commanding Admiral decided to speed to north in order to delay the battle to the afternoon, to have a chance of disengagement in the evening darkness.
About three hours after midday the ships of Independent Cruiser Squadron were seen to the north, and Port Artur Squadron steamed in their direction. The Squadron was reformed accordingly to the plan decided upon on the War Council into the line ahead with Novik as a leading ship, followed by Askold, Sevastopol, Tsesarevitch, Retvizan, Pobyeda, Peresvyet, Poltava, Pallada and Diana.
The destroyers, led by Commander Yevgeny Alexeievitch Yeliseyev, formed the separate column.
When the Port Artur Squadron was closing the Independent Cruiser Squadron, the group of four ships detached from main body of Japanese fleet and steamed in chase with greatly superior speed. The Commanding Admiral ordered the Squadron to turn east, and cross the “T” of the pursuers. The battleships opened fire at the distance of 3.000 fathoms, and at the same time Rear Admiral Karl Petrovich Yessen brilliantly placed his three armoured cruisers, Rossiya, Gromoboy and Ryurik behind the battleship Poltava. Pallada and Diana opened the slot in the line for this maneuver and joined the line following Ryurik.
Just before joining the line Rear Admiral Karl Petrovich Yessen reported the group of four Japanese armoured cruisers to the north. Commanding Admiral despatched the destroyers in this direction in order to prevent the pincer movement of the north Japanese group. In fact this decision was successful, as the Japanese cruisers took a great detour to the west, before turning south east, to join main body of Japanese fleet. Unhappily the visual contact between the Squadron and the destroyers was lost, and destroyers headed to Vladivostok independently.
The four Japanese ships advancing from south – soon recognized as Admiral Dewa’s division – were closing the distance rapidly, but under tremendous fire of united First Pacific Squadron they all felt into flames in matter of minutes. When the distance diminished to about 1.500 fathoms Commanding Admiral ordered the turn to north in line abreast, and – after some minutes – the turn to east and reforming the line ahead. At this moment Yakumo, Kasagi, Chitose and Takasago were reduced to the flaming wrecks.
As Togo’s own division was steaming at flank speed to the north east, in order to intercept the First Pacific Squadron, the commanding Admiral ordered the line to turn south east and cross the “T” of main Japanese force. The Japanese flagship came under the concentrated fire of the whole battleline of First Pacific Squadron and went ablaze quickly. As the distance to enemy failed dangerously, Commanding Admiral ordered the turn to north east in the line abreast. Rear Admiral Karl Petrovich Yessen’s cruisers – together with Pallada and Diana moved their fire to the second ship in Japanese line – Asashi – as they, being slightly offset, could reach the enemy by full broadsides. After short time Mikasa felt off the line, and battleships of First Pacific Squadron moved the fire to Asashi, while the cruisers concentrated on Fuji. During the engagement Commanding Admiral ordered some course changes, putting the Squadron to line of bearing on north or east course, to bring forward turrets into action and to retain the distance to the enemy between 1.500 and 3.000 fathoms. Asashi felt of the line, followed quickly by Fuji, when battleships of First Pacific Squadron concentrated the fire on her.
The Japanese line scattered, enabling the Commanding Admiral to execute first the turn into line ahead on north west course, and then into line ahead on south east course, pouring the heavy fire over Shikishima, Nisshin and Kasuga. Just before the sunset whole Admiral Togo’s division was out of action.
Another four Japanese armoured cruisers just joined the battle, but they went to disorder trying to navigate between sinking friendly ships. The First Pacific Squadron concentrated the fire on the flagship of the incoming division, putting it into flames in matter of minutes. Meanwhile the Japanese unprotected aviso cruiser Yayeama ventured into proximity of the van of First Pacific Squadron and attempted torpedo attack, but was sunk in an instant.
The sun was setting, and the light favoured Japanese for some minutes. Their armoured cruisers concentrated the fire on Askold, distinguished by Rear Admiral flag on mast, and the ship, hit many times before, went finally ablaze. Probably with damaged steering it turned to enemy and started sinking soon.
Commanding Admiral ordered the turn to south in the line ahead, and the Second Pacific Squadron put a heavy fire on remaining Japanese armoured cruisers, silhouetted against the red sky to the west. Iwate, Azuma and Izumo were put out of action consecutively, but the last one – Tokiwa – broke out from the inferno of sinking ships and steamed to south with utmost speed. In the moment she succeeded in hitting Diana several more times, causing her quick sinking.
Commanding Admiral ordered the turn to south west in order to intercept Tokiwa, and the distance was falling down, but the Japanese destroyers delivered massive attack, forcing the First Pacific Squadron to turn east, and then to north. This attack saved Tokiwa for the cost of seven destroyers, shot to pieces by ships of First Pacific Squadron.
In the darkness the contact with enemy was lost and the First Pacific Squadron proceeded to Vladivostok.
Nikolay Alexandrovitch Matusevitch
Rear Admiral
Chief of Staff
of Commanding Admiral
of Port Artur Squadron
First Pacific Squadron
Of Russian Imperial Fleet
APPENDIX I
SHIPS OF THE PORT ARTUR SQUADRON SUNKEN IN THE BATTLE OF ULLUNG
1. ASKOLD – CRUISER OF FIRST CLASS
2. DIANA – CRUISER OF FIRST CLASS
APPENDIX I
ENEMY SHIPS WITH THE HELP OF GOD SUNKEN IN THE BATTLE OF ULLUNG
1. MIKASA – BATTLESHIP
2. ASASHI – BATTLESHIP
3. FUJI – BATTLESHIP
4. SHIKISHIMA – BATTLESHIP
5. NISSHIN – ARMOURED CRUISER
6. KASUGA – ARMOURED CRUISER
7. IWATE – ARMOURED CRUISER
8. AZUMA – ARMOURED CRUISER
9. IZUMO – ARMOURED CRUISER
10. YAKUMO – ARMOURED CRUISER
11. CHITOSE – PROTECTED CRUISER
12. KASAGI – PROTECTED CRUISER
13. TAKASAGO – PROTECTED CRUISER
14. YAYEYAMA – AVISO CRUISER
15. UNRECOGNIZED DESTROYER
16. UNRECOGNIZED DESTROYER
17. UNRECOGNIZED DESTROYER
18. UNRECOGNIZED DESTROYER
19. UNRECOGNIZED DESTROYER
20. UNRECOGNIZED DESTROYER
21. UNRECOGNIZED DESTROYER
View attachment 24335
anchored on the roadstead of the Vladivostok
2-nd day of August 1904
Your Majesty !
Admiral Pyotr Alexeievitch Byezobrazov, Commander In Chief of First Pacific Squadron, granted to me a great privilege to send this report directly to Your Majesty.
Accordingly, I hereby do have a honour to inform Your Majesty, that in obedience to Your Majesty’s orders passed to me by His Highness Viceroy Yevgeny Vladimirovitch Alexeiev, the Port Artur Squadron of First Pacific Squadron sailed from the Port Artur harbour at the morning of the 28-th day of July in order to reach the Vladivostok.
Thanks to the help of God and to superior maneuvering of Your Majesty’s fleet the Squadron was able to slip outside the Japanese forces and to steam towards the Strait of Tsushima. From there the Squadron sailed into the Sea of Japan, and in afternoon of the 31-st day of August met the Independent Cruiser Squadron of First Pacific Squadron, sailing from the Vladivostok under the command of Rear Admiral Karl Petrovich Yessen.
The enemy main force shadowed the Port Artur Squadron from the Yellow Sea and were closing the distance. At the same time enemy cruiser force was sighted to the northeast of Independent Cruiser Squadron, interdicting the course to the Vladivostok.
In order to fight out the way to Vladivostok the First Pacific Squadron accepted the battle in the vicinity of the Ullung Island and fought it with bravery and determination to the final victory.
It is my duty to inform Your Majesty that the losses of the First Pacific Squadron were rather heavy. The protected cruisers Askold and Diana were sunk with all hands on board and Rear Admiral Nikolay Karlovitch Reitzenstein perished with the Askold. The damages to the other ships were negligible.
Thanks to the help of God almost all of the Japanese battleline – with exception of only the single armoured cruiser - was destroyed in the battle.
After the battle Your Majesty’s fleet sailed to the Vladivostok and is anchored there readying for the sortie.
As in the last battle the Russian Imperial Fleet regained the command of the sea I beg Your Majesty to pass the orders to the Port Artur to prepare all the remaining ships there to sail as soon as possible.
According to the orders of Admiral Pyotr Alexeievitch Bezobrazov, immediately after replenishing, the both Port Artur Squadron and Independent Cruiser Squadron, will sail to Port Artur, in order to extricate the remaining ships, mainly the armoured cruiser Bayan, torpedo cruisers and destroyers. It is vital to have all the ships able to cover the distance to Vladivostok ready to sail as soon as possible, even if only provisionally repaired and not in battle ready condition, as the First Pacific Squadron is able to protect them against the remnants of the Japanese fleet.
At the same time I beg Your Majesty to dispatch all the available modern ships from the Second Pacific Squadron to Vladivostok as soon as possible. Upon their arrival it will be possible to start the operations against Japanese bases and home islands. For the time being the First Pacific Squadron will interdict the movement of Japanese transports between the Japan and Korea in order to stop the land offensive of Japanese Army.
In short time I will have the honour to present to Your Majesty the commendations for the awards for gallantry in the Battle of Ullung. For the time being I beg for the prayers for the souls of Rear Admiral Nikolaj Karlovitch Reitzenstein and all others men lost with Your Majesty’s ships Askold and Diana as well as on boards of other ships of the Squadron.
In order to inform Your Majesty as fully as possible I’m attaching to this report preliminary summary of the Battle of Ullung prepared by the Staff of First Port Artur Squadron.
Your Majesty’s obedient servant
Wilhelm Karlovitch Witthöft
Rear Admiral
In command of Port Artur Squadron
First Pacific Squadron
of Russian Imperial Fleet
BATTLE OF THIRTY FIRST OF JULY 1904
AT THE ULLUNG ISLAND
FIRST SUMMARY
AT THE ULLUNG ISLAND
FIRST SUMMARY
After the decision was made by the Commanding Admiral to attempt the breakout from Port Artur on July 28-th, the War Council was held on the board of Tsesarevitch, attended by all admirals, division commanders, ship commanders and staff officers.
The decisions were made to avoid the engagement, at least until the meeting with Independent Cruiser Squadron, expected to join the Port Artur Squadron in the Strait of Tsushima.
In the case of battle the Squadron was to try to cross enemy’s “T” or to run before the enemy in line abreast, engaging leading enemy ships from rear turrets in order to slow them down. Reforming to the line of bearing or crossing the “T” in line ahead would be possible against slowed enemy. Cruisers were ordered to keep stations in van and in the rear of main column, and modern battleships were to be stationed in the centre of the battleline. After meeting with Independent Cruiser Squadron its ships were to be placed next to the battleships in the line.
Morning of July 28-th the Squadron sortied from Port Artur and slipped behind the Admiral Dewa’s division, then turned to south and finally to south east.
Admiral Togo’s ships were seen in a distance, but Japanese Commander in Chief tried to gather all his ships to the north of Encounter Rock. As Admiral Dewa decided to join the main body of Japanese fleet instead of trying to slow down the Squadron by bold attack, we were able to steam south east into the night.
Independent Cruiser Squadron was not present in Tsushima strait, so the Squadron proceeded further north to the Sea of Japan.
In the morning of July 31-st the Squadron approached the Ullung Island. The Japanese fleet was seen to the south steaming at utmost speed. Apparently Japanese Commander in Chief decided to leave slower ships behind and was chasing the Squadron with ruthless determination.
The Commanding Admiral decided to speed to north in order to delay the battle to the afternoon, to have a chance of disengagement in the evening darkness.
About three hours after midday the ships of Independent Cruiser Squadron were seen to the north, and Port Artur Squadron steamed in their direction. The Squadron was reformed accordingly to the plan decided upon on the War Council into the line ahead with Novik as a leading ship, followed by Askold, Sevastopol, Tsesarevitch, Retvizan, Pobyeda, Peresvyet, Poltava, Pallada and Diana.
The destroyers, led by Commander Yevgeny Alexeievitch Yeliseyev, formed the separate column.
When the Port Artur Squadron was closing the Independent Cruiser Squadron, the group of four ships detached from main body of Japanese fleet and steamed in chase with greatly superior speed. The Commanding Admiral ordered the Squadron to turn east, and cross the “T” of the pursuers. The battleships opened fire at the distance of 3.000 fathoms, and at the same time Rear Admiral Karl Petrovich Yessen brilliantly placed his three armoured cruisers, Rossiya, Gromoboy and Ryurik behind the battleship Poltava. Pallada and Diana opened the slot in the line for this maneuver and joined the line following Ryurik.
Just before joining the line Rear Admiral Karl Petrovich Yessen reported the group of four Japanese armoured cruisers to the north. Commanding Admiral despatched the destroyers in this direction in order to prevent the pincer movement of the north Japanese group. In fact this decision was successful, as the Japanese cruisers took a great detour to the west, before turning south east, to join main body of Japanese fleet. Unhappily the visual contact between the Squadron and the destroyers was lost, and destroyers headed to Vladivostok independently.
The four Japanese ships advancing from south – soon recognized as Admiral Dewa’s division – were closing the distance rapidly, but under tremendous fire of united First Pacific Squadron they all felt into flames in matter of minutes. When the distance diminished to about 1.500 fathoms Commanding Admiral ordered the turn to north in line abreast, and – after some minutes – the turn to east and reforming the line ahead. At this moment Yakumo, Kasagi, Chitose and Takasago were reduced to the flaming wrecks.
As Togo’s own division was steaming at flank speed to the north east, in order to intercept the First Pacific Squadron, the commanding Admiral ordered the line to turn south east and cross the “T” of main Japanese force. The Japanese flagship came under the concentrated fire of the whole battleline of First Pacific Squadron and went ablaze quickly. As the distance to enemy failed dangerously, Commanding Admiral ordered the turn to north east in the line abreast. Rear Admiral Karl Petrovich Yessen’s cruisers – together with Pallada and Diana moved their fire to the second ship in Japanese line – Asashi – as they, being slightly offset, could reach the enemy by full broadsides. After short time Mikasa felt off the line, and battleships of First Pacific Squadron moved the fire to Asashi, while the cruisers concentrated on Fuji. During the engagement Commanding Admiral ordered some course changes, putting the Squadron to line of bearing on north or east course, to bring forward turrets into action and to retain the distance to the enemy between 1.500 and 3.000 fathoms. Asashi felt of the line, followed quickly by Fuji, when battleships of First Pacific Squadron concentrated the fire on her.
The Japanese line scattered, enabling the Commanding Admiral to execute first the turn into line ahead on north west course, and then into line ahead on south east course, pouring the heavy fire over Shikishima, Nisshin and Kasuga. Just before the sunset whole Admiral Togo’s division was out of action.
Another four Japanese armoured cruisers just joined the battle, but they went to disorder trying to navigate between sinking friendly ships. The First Pacific Squadron concentrated the fire on the flagship of the incoming division, putting it into flames in matter of minutes. Meanwhile the Japanese unprotected aviso cruiser Yayeama ventured into proximity of the van of First Pacific Squadron and attempted torpedo attack, but was sunk in an instant.
The sun was setting, and the light favoured Japanese for some minutes. Their armoured cruisers concentrated the fire on Askold, distinguished by Rear Admiral flag on mast, and the ship, hit many times before, went finally ablaze. Probably with damaged steering it turned to enemy and started sinking soon.
Commanding Admiral ordered the turn to south in the line ahead, and the Second Pacific Squadron put a heavy fire on remaining Japanese armoured cruisers, silhouetted against the red sky to the west. Iwate, Azuma and Izumo were put out of action consecutively, but the last one – Tokiwa – broke out from the inferno of sinking ships and steamed to south with utmost speed. In the moment she succeeded in hitting Diana several more times, causing her quick sinking.
Commanding Admiral ordered the turn to south west in order to intercept Tokiwa, and the distance was falling down, but the Japanese destroyers delivered massive attack, forcing the First Pacific Squadron to turn east, and then to north. This attack saved Tokiwa for the cost of seven destroyers, shot to pieces by ships of First Pacific Squadron.
In the darkness the contact with enemy was lost and the First Pacific Squadron proceeded to Vladivostok.
Nikolay Alexandrovitch Matusevitch
Rear Admiral
Chief of Staff
of Commanding Admiral
of Port Artur Squadron
First Pacific Squadron
Of Russian Imperial Fleet
APPENDIX I
SHIPS OF THE PORT ARTUR SQUADRON SUNKEN IN THE BATTLE OF ULLUNG
1. ASKOLD – CRUISER OF FIRST CLASS
2. DIANA – CRUISER OF FIRST CLASS
APPENDIX I
ENEMY SHIPS WITH THE HELP OF GOD SUNKEN IN THE BATTLE OF ULLUNG
1. MIKASA – BATTLESHIP
2. ASASHI – BATTLESHIP
3. FUJI – BATTLESHIP
4. SHIKISHIMA – BATTLESHIP
5. NISSHIN – ARMOURED CRUISER
6. KASUGA – ARMOURED CRUISER
7. IWATE – ARMOURED CRUISER
8. AZUMA – ARMOURED CRUISER
9. IZUMO – ARMOURED CRUISER
10. YAKUMO – ARMOURED CRUISER
11. CHITOSE – PROTECTED CRUISER
12. KASAGI – PROTECTED CRUISER
13. TAKASAGO – PROTECTED CRUISER
14. YAYEYAMA – AVISO CRUISER
15. UNRECOGNIZED DESTROYER
16. UNRECOGNIZED DESTROYER
17. UNRECOGNIZED DESTROYER
18. UNRECOGNIZED DESTROYER
19. UNRECOGNIZED DESTROYER
20. UNRECOGNIZED DESTROYER
21. UNRECOGNIZED DESTROYER
View attachment 24335
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