The enemy’s superior speed--His attempt to cross the Russian T--_Suvoroff’s_ Captain wounded--A funnel shot away-- Steering gear disabled--She leaves the line--Terrific shell fire--Japanese reports--Fore-bridge in flames-- Demchinsky wounded--Spirit of the men--Fire in the dressing station--Attempts to extinguish it--Scene on the upper deck--Author again wounded--The hospital-- Death and destruction in the conning tower--Necessity of abandoning it--Transfer to lower fighting position-- Admiral wounded--Carried into a turret 81–110 CHAPTER V The _Alexander_ leads the fleet--Attempt to pass astern of Japanese column--Enemy turns 16 points--Destruction in the _Alexander_--The _Borodino_ on fire--Defeat inevitable--3.25 P.M., the _Suvoroff_ heels over-- Forward turret destroyed--Attacked by torpedo-boats-- Work of one projectile--Rumoured damage to enemy-- Effect on men’s spirits--Death of Commander Ignatzius-- Torpedo-boats approach--Only two serviceable guns--A tour of inspection--Effect of Japanese gun fire--Their explosive--Kursel the Courlandian--Destruction of officers’ quarters--Author again wounded 111–135 CHAPTER VI 4 P.M., fleets lose each other--5 P.M., Russian fleet steams northwards--Passes the _Suvoroff_--The _Borodino_ leads--The _Alexander_ heeling over-- Torpedo-boats ahead!--The _Buiny_--Admiral to be transferred--Attempts to collect the Staff--Death of all hands below--No boats available--Difficulty of the undertaking--Rozhdestvensky put aboard--The _Buiny_ steams off--Description of the flag-ship--The Admiral’s condition--Nebogatoff in command--Sinking of the _Alexander_--Overtaking the fleet--Sinking of the _Oslyabya_--Also of the _Borodino_--End of the _Suvoroff_ 136–162 COMPOSITION OF THE OPPOSING FLEETS 163 DIAGRAM OF MOVEMENTS _At end._ TO THE EVERLASTING MEMORY OF THE HEROES WHO PERISHED! THE BATTLE OF TSU-SHIMA In memory of the _Suvoroff_! CHAPTER I A fresh breeze mournfully droned through the wire rigging and angrily dispersed the ragged, low-lying clouds. The troubled waters of the Yellow Sea splashed against the side of the battleship, while a thin, cold, blinding rain fell, and the raw air penetrated to one’s very bones. But a group of officers still stood on the after-bridge, watching the silhouettes of the transports slowly disappearing in the rain haze. On their masts and yard-arms signals were being flown, the last messages and final requests of those who had been our fellow-travellers on the long tedious voyage.