Cruiser Action!
Admiral's Log, Armored Cruiser Gromoboi
February 18, 1904
We are sailing north, planning to return to Vladivostok for fuel, ammunition and engine overhaul.
1240 We sight a large cruiser force about 20 km to the west on a parallel course. They appear to be older cruisers, so I turn from our line abreast formation to line astern with Gromoboi leading and Novik and Askold at the rear. The destroyers are ordered to the rear flanks.
The enemy turns to meet us. They steer 89, 17 knots.
1254 I adjust our course directly at them, but they flinch to port! They open fire at 13 km. We continue to close under fire, but hold our own fire.
1259 I order heading 186, and order our ships to open fire as they turn!
I signal Askold and Novik to turn north instead.
1300 We have crossed their T! We concentrate our fire on the lead enemy, the Armored Cruiser Chiyoda.
1305 Gromoboi and Askold are hit, temporarily knocking out 152 mm mounts.
I order an immediate turn north to the ACs, to maintain our position on top of the T! We distribute fire on the first three enemies, Chiyoda, Naniwa and Niitaka.
1307 Chiyoda is moderately damaged.
1310 We reverse again to the south, Askold at our rear, Novik a few hundred meters on the unengaged side, but firing through a gap. Chiyoda falters to the south.
1312 As we finish our turn, Chiyoda is sinking. Range is 3645 m.
Gromoboi & Rossiya target Naniwa.
Ryurik, Askold & Novik target Niitaka.
1315 Naniwa is moderately damaged, making 12 knots. We begin another immediate turn north.
1317 About 70% through the turn, Naniwa is heavily damaged and Chiyoda has sunk. Our damage is light.
1319 We are heading north, Niitaka turns a few points to port to avoid Naniwa.
Askold and Ryurik target Niitaka.
Gromoboi and Rossiya target Takachiho.
Novik targets Naniwa.
1322 Niitaka and Takachiho have medium damage, Naniwa heavy. We observe that the three rear enemy cruisers are turning away! We turn west, in succession, ACs closest to the enemy, PCs a little further north.
1326 Gromoboi fires a torpedo at Naniwa, Takachiho is sinking, Niitaka and Naniwa are very badly damaged. Akashi has been hit.
1328 Niitaka is sinking.
1329 Takachiho sinks. Enemy flees on heading 230. We pursue.
1331 Askold is taking hits from 152 mm shells (and probably a lot of 120 mm).
This is where I make my error. Askold has increased speed, and is now taking fire from the remaining enemy effectives. I realize this too late!
1332 Niitaka sinks. I order Askold to turn away, as she has serious fires.
I order general chase to the ACs!
1342 Askold's fires rage out of control! She is heavily damaged.
1346 ACs turn to port to bring their less damaged starboard batteries to bear.
1347 Gromoboi has heavily damaged Akashi.
1349 Askold is lost, Novik takes off the remaining crew.
We pursue the enemy, but while our ships, other than Askold, are only lightly damaged, many gun positions are out of action.
1406 Akashi and Akitsushima are sinking!
1411 Akitsushima sinks.
Ryurik is coming up on their port side, Rossiya on their starboard, with Gromoboi coming from astern.
Only Suma and Idzumi remain, but it is a slow process, as Ryurik and Rossiya have few guns in action, and Gromoboi has to catch up after finishing Akashi.
Suma and Idzumi concentrate mostly on Ryurik, and the battle turns slowly to port, as they try to close with Ryurik, while moving away from Rossiya.
But they can't adjust much, lest Gromoboi close faster.
Gromoboi still has most guns in action and begins firing as she closes.
1420 Askold is listing 13 degrees to port.
1421 Suma is heavily damaged.
1425 Askold sinks.
1428 Idzumi is heavily damaged. Suma is listing to port.
1442 Suma sinks, Idzumi lists to port.
1448 Idzumi is sinking. We cease fire and set course 302 for Vladivostok.
1456 Idzumi sinks.
We are 182 km NW of Sakata.
We sank all eight of their cruisers, but lost Askold.
Their only survivor is the destroyer Asagiri, which fled early on.
She shadows us.
