Night Fishing off Port Arthur

Bullethead

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11 February 1904 would go down as a banner day for the Russian Far East Fleet. It was a day of revenge for the perfidious sneak attack on Port Arthur and its immediate aftermath at Chemulpo, which had done terrible damage. The cruiser Pallada and gunboat Koreyets had been sunk and other ships severely damaged. Nobody knew when, or if, the mighty Tsessarevitch, Retvizan, and Petropavlovsk would sail again, and the vital cruisers Askold, Novik and Boyarin were also crippled. But the Russians could still hit back, and soon Varyag joined the forces from Vladivostok in brutal retaliation. By the end of the day, 2 auxiliary cruisers, 3 IJN marus, and 3 neutral merchants carrying contraband had been accounted for. However, the Russian mood was tempered when torpedo gunboats Gaidamak and Vsadnik were lost in a gallant but hopeless fight off Wei-Hai-Wei with the dangerous cruiser squadron led by Chitose.

The deeds performed by the subsidiary forces on this stirring day inspired Admiral Bulletkov, CinC at Port Arthur, to emulation. While his forces at Port Arthur had accounted for 9 Japanese destroyers during the attack, since then they had been too busy saving sinking ships and wallowing in self-pity to take action. Bulletkov now resolved to raise his sailors' morale by leading his remaining ships out that night against the blockading Japanese. His special target was the Chitose cruiser squadron, to avenge the dead of the TGBs. Reports from Varyag indicated that Togo's battlefleet was well to the south, so Bulletkov saw an opportunity. Little did he know what a long night lay in store.

At 1530, the fleet, which had kept steam up since the attack, weighed anchor, cleared for action, and began to assemble outside the harbor. The question of what formation to adopt plagued Bulletkov from the beginning. He decided to begin with a conventional battleline with flanking destroyers to guard against torpedoboat attacks, always a possibility in night actions. Thus, the armored cruiser Bayan, followed by the recently patched-up Diana, led the formation. Next came Bulletkov's temporary flagship Pobyeda, then Peresvyet, Poltava, and Sevastopol. The seven 26-knot destroyers (DesRon26) normally screened 1PacRon but at the last minute, Rastorpni and Byestrashni were repaired. In recognition of their valor during the sneak attack, Bulletkov decided to bring them along as well. Led by Vnimatelni of DesRon26, they formed a reserve at the rear of the line. Meanwhile, Vnushitelni, Vinoslivi, and Grozovoi formed the starboard column and Vlastni, Boiki, and Burni the port. By the time the ships had formed up and a quick meal distributed to the crews at their stations, it was 1630; twilight was fading into night. Bulletkov gave the signal and Bayan led off on a course of 135^.

It was fully dark when, at 1713, Bayan's searchlights suddenly snapped on, faintly illuminating ships dead ahead, crossing from starboard to port. Gunfire broke out and it was soon apparent that Bulletkov had found his quarry, Chitose and her consorts. However, by the time Bulletkov's fleet had turned in pursuit, the speedy Japanese had vanished into the night. The action was over in only a few minutes and disappointment reigned throughout the fleet--most ships had not even seen the enemy. Bulletkov decided to press on, however, knowing that an immediate return to port would only further sap morale.

Nothing further happened for ninety minutes, but at 1855, sharp-eyed lookouts aboard Rastoropni spotted something dark and tiny closing from astern. It turned out to be a Japanese torpedoboat. Instantly, the 3 destroyers at the rear of the line reversed their course and closed in on the target, meanwhile looking for other TBs that were surely out there. Simultaneously, Bulletkov's divisions also turned to bring their anti-torpedoboat guns to bear on the expected direction of attack. But the enemy TB turned out to be all alone--it must have gotten separated from its fellows in the darkness. The Russian torpedoboat destroyers lived up to their names and made short work of the intruder, although Rastoropni suffered some minor splinter damage in the process. From the dozen survivors picked up, Bulletkov learned that the victim had been Torpedoboat 63. Small fry, but at least a blow had been struck.

These engagements had taken Bulletkov's force off course, and it was now due south of Port Arthur. Shortly after reforming, at 1925, it was the turn of the port-side destroyers to spot the enemy first. More torpedoboats, no doubt the cohorts of Bulletkov's earlier victim. Four of them closed in from the beam and Bulletkov's column once again broke up into divisions, each maneuvering to its own advantage. A short, sharp engagement followed and all the heavy ships were finally able to contribute. One torpedoboat exploded from a direct hit by Peresvyet and the others quickly succombed less spectacularly. Once the survivors were rescued and Bulletkov's force reformed, it was learned that these had been TBs Aotaka, Hato, Kari, and Tsubame. The fleet now felt somewhat better; 5 TB scalps was not a bad night's work. But the fun had only just begun.

At 2030, now somewhat further south of Port Arthur, Bayan again spotted the primary targets dead ahead. Chitose's cruisers were on almost the same course as the Russians, so the fight immediately became a stern chase with Bulletkov's divisions fanning out slightly to each side to obtain clear lines of fire. The Russian cruiser engaged Kasagi, third in line, and both sides quickly scored, although no great damage was done. As the Japanese began to open the range, however, Bulletkov ordered all ships to concentrate on Yoshino, last in the Japanese line. Soon she was well ablaze from numerous hits from Bulletkov's cruisers, then slowed suddenly after a 10" shell from Pobyeda struck home. The other Japanese ships slowed to protect Yoshino and all were still slightly faster than Bulletkov's forces. But Bulletkov, determined not to let this ship escape, ordered his destroyers to attempt a torpedo attack, despite it being a stern chase. As the destroyers slowly closed in, they came under an intense barrage and one by one were forced to break off with raging fires. However, there places were taken by others and Yoshino continued to slow under the hammering of the Russian ships. Eventually, she slowed below the Russians' speed and the other Japanese abandoned her to her fate, disappearing into the darkness. This made it easier for the remaining destroyers to close in and soon torpedoes were away from both sides of the target. Yoshino managed to avoid the first 2, but one from Vnushitelni scored a hit amidships, which resulted in a large secondary explosion. Enveloped in flames, Yoshino capsized and went down less than 3 minutes later. Less than 50 of her crew survived.

Bulletkov's elation at this success was overshadowed by concern at the cost--7 destroyers shot up. However, he was soon relieved to learn that his destroyer crews were adept at damage control. Their fires were quickly controlled and none of them reported more than moderate damage. However, they had all been lamed to some extent, making them unfit for further use on this sortie. Therefore, after transferring all prisoners to them, he sent them back to Port Arthur. This left him with only 2 destroyers, Vlastni and Byestrashni. Bulletkov also realized that his use of a single column had kept 3 of his battleships from engaging the Japanese cruisers much, if at all. Had they been able to shoot, perhaps he might have bagged more cruisers or lost fewer destroyers. Bulletkov therefore decided to change his formation into divisions abreast, 2 battleships on each side and the cruisers in the middle, with one of the remaining destroyers on each flank. He hoped thereby to be able to bring all guns into action against targets looming up dead ahead.

By 2151, Bulletkov's force was SSE of Dalny and heading south. Suddenly, Sevastopol, at the rear of the starboard division, spotted a large ship dead astern and opened fire. Searchlights quickly illuminated the Chitose force yet again, with the positions of the previous engagement reversed. All ships on both sides immediately turned 16 points to starboard, allowing Bulletkov's entire force to fire several full broadsides during the turn. All fire was concentrated on the closest Japanese cruiser, Chitose herself. She suffered at least a dozen hits and burst into flame with her after 8" gun knocked out, but despite this damage her speed was unaffected and once again the Japanese cruisers escaped destruction. Soon even Chitose's fires were extinguished and all was once again darkness.

Bulletkov considered the situation. He intended to return to Port Arthur at sunrise to avoid any northward thrust by Togo. However, he still had a few hours in which to try to finish off the Japanese cruisers, which he believed would now attempt to leave the area. Knowing he was south of them, Bulletkov anticipated that they would try to get around him via Elliot Islands. Therefore, he shaped a course NE. If he found nothing there, he would head south again towards Wei-Hai-Wei, possibly patrolling back and forth on a N-S line if time permitted, before turning for home. At first, this appeared to be what would happen. A lull descended over the Russian fleet for nearly 2 hours, which allowed a welcome respite to the crews. Bunkers were trimmed, fires cleaned, minor damage cleared away, and tea and bread distributed to the men.

*** TO BE CONTINUED ***
 

Bullethead

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Action resumed shortly before midnight. The Russians had reached Elliot Islands and turned south when the destroyer Byeshtrashni, on the port side of the formation, spotted another torpedoboat. Once again it was a stray wandering alone, and the destroyer and the secondary batteries of the port battleship division quickly obliterated the target. The waters closed over Torpedoboat 69 at 2359. The eventful 11th of February was finally over, but the night was not.

Yet for another 2 hours, nothing happened. The strain of maintaining constant alertness, staring into the darkness, was beginning to tell. Bulletkov suddenly felt light-headed and realized he had been standing with locked knees for some time. He forced himself to tear his eyes away from the void and focused on his boot toes as he began pacing the bridge wing. Bulletkov's force cruised to Wei-Hai-Wei, returned to Elliot Islands, and then turned south again without spotting anything.

The calm was shattered at 0218, however, when gunfire erupted far off the port quarter to the NE. The clipper Razboynik, patrolling the Elliot Islands, had spotted Bulletkov's elusive quarry and bravely engaged them. The Japanese, however, were more interested in escape than fighting by this point, and made off to the NE. Byeshtrashni, closest to the enemy, raced ahead in an attempt to locate targets for the battleships, but received a deadly salvo for her trouble. A huge fireball erupted amidships and the destroyer staggered back towards Bulletkov, seemingly in dire straits. Fortunately, it was only the petrol of the motorboat, which was quickly extinguished--no serious damage had been done. However, all that Bulletkov's other ships ever saw of the Japanese was distant muzzle flashes. But Bulletkov now had a good idea of their intentions, and headed SE to try to stay ahead of them.

Sure enough, at 0306, the Japanese cruisers put in another appearance. But instead of appearing from ahead or astern as expected, they edged in from the east on a slightly converging course. Thus, the Russions were essentially in column again with respect to them, despite Bulletkov's rearranged formation. Byeshtrashni, having learned her lesson, quickly sped out of the way, but the Japanese cruisers fired only a few rounds at her before turning tail. Peresvyet and Pobyeda, of the port column, also loosed a couple of shells, but that was it. Bulletkov made a slight adjustment of course and was rewarded at 0338 by regaining contact. Unfortunately, this 6th encounter with the Chitose squadron was a virtual repeat of the previous one. And after that, nothing.

Another two hours passed uneventfully, giving the Russian crews another much-needed break. As Bulletkov sipped his hot tea on the frigid flag bridge, he continually second-guessed himself. He had patrolled around Elliot Islands for some time without success, and had finally headed toward Wei-Hai-Wei again more to rest his crews and his own bloodshot eyes than out of any real hope of regaining contact with the Chitose group. Surely they had made good their escape by now, and Togo must be closing in. Bulletkov handed his empty teacup to his aide and took a deep breath. It was time to go home. But at 0548, just NE of Wei-Hai-Wei, lookouts suddenly spotted the quarry again, silhouetted the faint pink of the eastern horizon.

Again, it was the Chitose group and again, they were on the port beam, so that once again, Bulletkov's choice of formation had been inappropriate. He cursed his luck as his divisions turned separately to the chase and each rang up their various top speeds. But this time, maybe things would be different. The sun was rising faster than the Japanese could open the range, which soon allowed even the trailing battleships to open fire. As the cruisers slowly overhauled his flagship, Bulletkov was gratified to see the last Japanese ship in line, Takasago being wrecked by hit after hit. Soon she was a burning shambles with all her guns silenced, and the smoke pouring from her blocked the fire of the other Japanese ahead. Her last shell, however, had struck Bulletkov's flagship, knocking out several small guns and starting a troublesome fire. And despite the hammering, Takasago could still make at least 20 knots, so that she continued to pull ahead of the Russian battleships.

And so the chase continued eastwards, with only the Russian cruisers able to maintain the range. And while the rising sun continued to allow the Russian battleships to fire, it was also squarely in their gunners' eyes, so that accuracy suffered. Bayan and [/i]Diana[/i] were able to get a better angle and avoid the sun's glare, but only at the cost of ceding range. Sevastopol and Poltava were now well behind and had checked fire to conserve ammo, and suddenly Peresvyet and Pobyede fell silent--the many stern chases of the night had finally exhausted their forward magazines. But at last the sun was high enough to no longer be such a problem, and the Russian cruisers began to hit Takasago with increasing frequency. Perhaps Bulletkov would bag her after all.

His hopes seemed justified when, about 0715, the Japanese suddenly turned due south as if at bay. They drove Diana, which had been on their starboard quarter, back with their combined fire, but Bulletkov turned his leading battleships SE to close the range and to unmask more of his secondary batteries. Things might be dicey for a while, but the slow battleships would soon regain the range if the Japanese continued south.

Suddenly, however, Bayan, which had been trying to cross the Japanese T to the north, was straddled by enormous shell splashes. Their source was unseen in the eastern glare. Was it Togo? He could have gotten here by now. Suddenly, Bulletkov realized the precariousness of his situation, with his force well strung out and his magazines low.

But the Chitose group turned east again, and as their smoke cleared from across his view, Bulletkov saw that the newcomers were the Chin Yen's squadron. They passed the Chitose group port-to-port, then swung neatly into line behind them, shielding Takasago and presenting 4 heavy guns to Bulletkov's current total of zero. The situation was now completely changed.

Bulletkov pounded his fist on the bridge rail in frustration. The Japanese force was now slower than his, as the Chitose group had slowed to match their reinforcements. But it would be some time before Bulletkov could close enough to bring his aft turrets to bear at effective range, and even longer before his slower battleships came into range. Meanwhile, every mile he continued the chase brought him closer to Togo and took him further from the safety of Port Arthur. Had he met the Chin Yen squadron during the night, he would have accepted battle gladly, but now the risk-reward equation was quite different. With a final curse at the Dark Gods, Bulletkov signalled to break off the action, and watched in dejection until the slower, technically weaker enemy disappeared over the horizon.

However, Bulletkov had accomplished his primary mission. His crews returned to Port Arthor in a jubilant mood, rightly convinced they had gotten much the better of the night's work. While 8 destroyers, a cruiser, and a battleship had been damaged, none would be out of service more than a few days. In return, they had taught the Chitose squadron a painful lesson, with 1 cruiser sunk, 1 crippled, and another maimed, not to mention the 6 torpedoboats destroyed and the prisoners taken. Life for the vital commerce raiders would be much easier when their repairs were complete. Besides, the other Russian forces had not been idle during the night, accounting for 2 more merchants and another torpedoboat. It would be a long war, but Bulletkov felt that the Russians had turned an important corner.
 
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SunScream

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Night fishing is always fun, isn't it?
The real fear of running up against Mikasa and co at point blank range balanced by the chance of smashing up the smaller Japanese vessels. You have to stay out there just a few more minutes...
 

Mobeer

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Next Japanese campaign I try, I'm going to put lone torpedo boats on picket duty outside Port Arthur. If spotted in daytime they could well escape. If spotted at night then they could get to use torpedos. Either way they are expendable, plentiful and will report the Russian's movements.
 

Bullethead

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Next Japanese campaign I try, I'm going to put lone torpedo boats on picket duty outside Port Arthur. If spotted in daytime they could well escape. If spotted at night then they could get to use torpedos. Either way they are expendable, plentiful and will report the Russian's movements.
I dunno. As I said over in the strategy thread, I favor a distant blockade of PA (although a close blockade of Vlad until it's cleaned out). I've never seen any advantage to watching PA just to see what the Russians are up to, until PA is about to fall and the BBs are about to be flushed out. Why risk the mines? Why let my TBs get picked off just to tell me that a Russian ship was at Wei-Hai-Wei at that time, but now could be anywhere including back in PA?

So until PA's on the verge of collapse, I figure I'll see the Russians eventually on the Korean coast, where I can concentrate all my forces and kill them. When I do this, I make liberal use of expendible units like TBs, corvettes, gunboats, etc., to save my good stuff for the inevitable fleet actions. Pretty soon, no more Russian offensive capability at PA.

Besides the Korean coast (and Vlad until the stuff there is dead), the only other place I really watch is the Tsushima Straits. This is just to make sure nothing sneaks through there and over to Vlad once that's been sterilized. If anything tries to go around the east coast of Japan, I'll know about it if it has any success, and can reinstitute a blockade at Vlad in time to intercept it.
 
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