Battle of Port Arthur (naval)
Part of the Russo-Japanese War
Japanese ukiyoe woodblock print of the night attack on Port Arthur.
Date 8 February 1904 - 9 February 1904 Location Near Port Arthur, Manchuria Result Tactical stalemate; strategic victory for Japan
Combatants
Empire of Japan	Russian Empire
Commanders
Admiral Heihachiro Togo Vice Admiral Shigeto Dewa	Oskar Victorovich Stark
Strength
15 battleships and cruisers with escorts	12 battleships and cruisers with escorts
Casualties
90 men and slight damage	150 men and seven ships damaged

The Battle of Port Arthur (Japanese: 旅順港閉塞作戦, Ryojunkō Heisoku Sakusen, February 8-9, 1904) was the starting battle of the Russo-Japanese War. It began with a surprise night attack by a squadron of Japanese destroyers on the Russian fleet anchored at Port Arthur, Manchuria, and continued with an engagement of major surface combatants the following morning. The battle ended inconclusively, and further skirmishing off of Port Arthur continued to May 1904. Combatants Russian Empire Empire of Japan Commanders Emperor Nicholas II Aleksey Kuropatkin Stepan Makarov† Emperor Meiji Oyama Iwao Heihachiro Togo Strength 500,000 Soldiers 400,000 Soldiers Casualties 24,844 killed; 146,519 wounded; 59,218 POW; unknown Chinese civilians 47,387 killed; 173,425 woundedï¼› unknown Chinese civilians Greater... Image File history File links Port_Arthur_MTB_attack. ... Ukiyo-e (浮世絵, a Japanese term meaning pictures of the floating world) is a style of painting, but is more commonly associated with a type of woodcut printmaking that became popular in Japan in the 18th and 19th centuries. ... February 8 is the 39th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1904 (MCMIV) was a leap year starting on a Friday (see link for calendar). ... February 9 is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1904 (MCMIV) was a leap year starting on a Friday (see link for calendar). ... Location within China Lüshun city or Lüshunkou or (literally) Lüshun Port (Simplified Chinese: 旅顺口; Traditional Chinese: 旅順口; Pinyin: , formerly in historic references both Port Arthur and Ryojun, is a town in the southernmost administrative district of Dalian of the Peoples Republic of China. ... Manchuria (Manchu: Manju; Traditional Chinese: 滿洲; Simplified Chinese: 满洲; pinyin: MÇŽnzhōu, Russian: ) is a vast territorial region in northeast Asia. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan_(bordered). ... Anthem: Kimi ga Yo Imperial Reign Slogan: Fukoku Kyohei Enrich the Country, Strengthen the Military (a. ... Image File history File links Naval_Ensign_of_Russia. ... Anthem: God Save the Tsar! Russian Empire in 1914 Capital Saint Petersburg Language(s) Russian Government Monarchy Emperor  - 1721-1725 Peter the Great  - 1894-1917 Nicholas II History  - Established 22 October, 1721  - February Revolution 2 March, 1917 Area  - 1897 22,400,000 km2 8,648,688 sq mi Population  - 1897... Admiral Togo at the age of 58, at the time of the Russo-Japanese War. ... Dewa Shigeto 出羽 重遠 1855-1930 was a Japanese admiral. ... Rear-Admiral Oskar Victorovich Stark was the explorer of Peter the Great Bay and the Far Eastern seas (the straight in Peter the Great Bay and the bay in the Tatar Straight are named after Stark). ... Combatants Russian Empire Empire of Japan Commanders Emperor Nicholas II Aleksey Kuropatkin Stepan Makarov† Emperor Meiji Oyama Iwao Heihachiro Togo Strength 500,000 Soldiers 400,000 Soldiers Casualties 24,844 killed; 146,519 wounded; 59,218 POW; unknown Chinese civilians 47,387 killed; 173,425 woundedï¼› unknown Chinese civilians Greater... Combatants Empire of Japan Russian Empire Commanders Uryu Sotokichi Vsevolod Rudnev Strength 4 cruisers 1 cruiser, 1 gunboat Casualties no casualties reported by japanese, about 30 by russian sources 37 killed, 73 wounded; both ships scuttled after the battle The Battle of Chemulpo Bay (Japanese: 仁川沖海戦, Jinsenoki kaisen, Russian: Битва в заливе Чемульпо) was... The Battle of Yalu River took place from April 30 to May 1, 1904, and was the first major land battle during the Russo-Japanese War. ... The Battle of Nanshan was one of many vicious land battles of the Russo-Japanese War. ... The Battle of Te-li-Ssu was fought on June 14 and June 15 of 1904 between Russian and Japanese forces. ... The Battle of the Yellow Sea was the first main naval engagement of the Russo-Japanese War, being fought on August 10, 1904. ... Combatants Japan Russia Commanders Vice Admiral Hikonojo Kamimura Rear Admiral Nikolai Essen Strength 4 armored cruisers, 2 protected cruisers 3 armored cruisers Casualties minimal casualties with 1 armored cruiser suffering slight damage heavy casualties and 1 cruiser destroyed with two cruisers suffering heavy damage The naval Battle off Ulsan, also... The Siege of Port Arthur (1 August 1904-2 January 1905), the Russian deepwater port and naval base at the tip of the Liaotung Peninsula (See Map below the Battlebox) in Manchuria was one of the longest and most vicious battles during the Russo-Japanese War. ... Combatants Japan Russia Commanders General Kuroki Tamemoto General Count Fedor Keller Strength 25,000 General Count Fedor Keller had assumed command of the Russian Eastern Force from General Zasulich after the Battle of Yalu River. ... Combatants Japan Russia Commanders General Yasukata Oku Lieutenant General Georgii Stakelberg Lieutenant General Nikolai Zarubaev Strength 20,000 Casualties 1,000 (estimated) 1,000 (estimated) The Battle of Tashihchiao (Jpn. ... Combatants Japan Russia Commanders General Nozu Michitsura Lieutenant General Mikhail Zasulich Casualties 836 1550 The Battle of Hsimucheng was a minor land engagement of the Russo-Japanese War. ... The Battle of Liaoyang (August 24, 1904 - September 4, 1904) was one of the major battles of the Russo-Japanese War. ... Combatants Japan Russia Commanders Oyama Iwao Alexei Kuropatkin Strength 150,000 210,000 Casualties 20,345 killed, wounded or captured 44,351 killed, wounded or captured The Battle of Shaho was a land battle of the Russo-Japanese War fought along a 37-mile front centered at the Sha River... Battle of Sandepu Conflict Russo-Japanese War Date January 25 and January 26, 1905 Place Near Mukden in Manchuria Result Draw The Battle of Sandepu, (also known as the Battle of Heikoutai) was a major land battle of the Russo-Japanese War. ... Combatants Empire of Japan Empire of Russia Commanders Field Marshal Oyama Iwao General Alexei Kuropatkin Strength About 207,300 About 291,000 Casualties 15,892 killed; 59,612 wounded 20,000 killed; 49,000 wounded; 20,000 captured The Battle of Mukden, the last major land battle of the Russo... Combatants Empire of Japan Russian Empire Commanders Heihachiro Togo Zinovi Rozhdestvenski # Nikolai Nebogatov Strength 4 battleships 27 cruisers destroyers and auxiliary vessels 8 battleships 3 coastal battleships 8 cruisers Casualties 117 dead 583 injured 3 torpedo boats sunk 4,380 dead 5,917 captured 21 ships sunk 7 captured 6... Combatants Russian Empire Empire of Japan Commanders Emperor Nicholas II Aleksey Kuropatkin Stepan Makarov† Emperor Meiji Oyama Iwao Heihachiro Togo Strength 500,000 Soldiers 400,000 Soldiers Casualties 24,844 killed; 146,519 wounded; 59,218 POW; unknown Chinese civilians 47,387 killed; 173,425 woundedï¼› unknown Chinese civilians Greater... USS Lassen, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet or battle group and defend them against smaller, short-range attackers (originally torpedo boats, later submarines and aircraft). ... Location within China Lüshun city or Lüshunkou or (literally) Lüshun Port (Simplified Chinese: 旅顺口; Traditional Chinese: 旅順口; Pinyin: , formerly in historic references both Port Arthur and Ryojun, is a town in the southernmost administrative district of Dalian of the Peoples Republic of China. ... Manchuria (Manchu: Manju; Traditional Chinese: 滿洲; Simplified Chinese: 满洲; pinyin: MÇŽnzhōu, Russian: ) is a vast territorial region in northeast Asia. ... Surface Combatant - a term referring to naval fighting ships, encompassing five major classes grouped by size and/or weapon systems and mission. ...

Background

The opening stage of the Russo-Japanese War began with pre-emptive strikes by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the Russian Pacific Fleet based at Port Arthur and at Chemulpo. Combatants Russian Empire Empire of Japan Commanders Emperor Nicholas II Aleksey Kuropatkin Stepan Makarov† Emperor Meiji Oyama Iwao Heihachiro Togo Strength 500,000 Soldiers 400,000 Soldiers Casualties 24,844 killed; 146,519 wounded; 59,218 POW; unknown Chinese civilians 47,387 killed; 173,425 woundedï¼› unknown Chinese civilians Greater... Most often used to describe a military attack which is designed to prevent, or reduce the impact of, an anticipated attack from an enemy. ... The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) (: 大日本帝國海軍 Shinjitai: 大日本帝国海軍   or 日本海軍 Nippon Kaigun), officially Navy of Empire of Greater Japan, also known as the Japanese Navy or Combined Fleet was the Navy of Empire of Japan from 1869 until 1947, when it was dissolved following Japans constitutional renunciation of the use of force... Pacific Fleet (Тихоокеанский флот in Russian, or Tikhookeanskiy flot), a part of the Soviet Navy stationed in the Pacific Ocean, which secured the Far Eastern borders of the USSR. The fleet headquarters was located at... Location within China Lüshun city or Lüshunkou or (literally) Lüshun Port (Simplified Chinese: 旅顺口; Traditional Chinese: 旅順口; Pinyin: , formerly in historic references both Port Arthur and Ryojun, is a town in the southernmost administrative district of Dalian of the Peoples Republic of China. ... Incheon Metropolitan City is a metropolitan city and major seaport on the west coast of South Korea, near Seoul. ...

Admiral Togo's initial plan was to swoop down upon Port Arthur with the 1st Division of the Combined Fleet, consisting of the battleships Hatsuse, Shikishima, Asahi, Fuji and Yashima, led by the flagship Mikasa, and the 2nd Division, consisting of the cruisers Iwate, Azuma, Izumo, Yakumo and Tokiwa. These capital ships were accompanied by some 15 destroyers and around 20 smaller torpedo boats. In reserve were the cruisers Kasagi, Chitose, Takasago and Yoshino. With this overwhelming force and surprise on his side, he hoped to deliver a crushing blow to the Russian fleet soon after the severance of diplomatic relations between the Japanese and Russian governments. Admiral Togo at the age of 58, at the time of the Russo-Japanese War. ... The firepower of a battleship demonstrated by USS Iowa. ... The Japanese battleship Hatsuse (14,967 tons) was built by Armstrong Whitworth at the Elswick Yard. ... Shikishima (敷島) was the lead ship in the Shikishima-class of pre-dreadnought battleships in the Imperial Japanese Navy, and one of the six battleships (Fuji, Yashima, Hatsuse, Shikishima, Asahi, and Mikasa) that formed the main Japanese battle line in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. ... The IJN Asahi was the second of the Shikishima-class of battleships. ... Constructed by the Thames Iron Works and Armstrong Whitworth the Fuji and Yamashima were constructed between 1894-1896 and were commissioned in 1897. ... The Japanese battleship Yashima (12,330 tons) was built for the Imperial Japanese Navy by Armstrong Whitworth at the Elswick Yard. ... Mikasa (三笠) is a pre-Dreadnought battleship, formerly of the Imperial Japanese Navy, launched in 1900. ... The Iwate (岩手) was an armored cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... The IJN Azuma (東) was an armored cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy, designed and built in France. ... The Izumo (出雲) was an armored cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy built in Elswick, Great Britain by Armstrong Whitworth. ... The IJN Yakumo (八雲) was an armored cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy, designed and built by the Stettiner Vulcan AG shipyards in Stettin, Germany. ... The Tokiwa (常盤) was an armored cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... USS Lassen, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet or battle group and defend them against smaller, short-range attackers (originally torpedo boats, later submarines and aircraft). ... A torpedo boat is a relatively small and fast naval ship designed to launch torpedoes at larger surface ships. ... USS Port Royal (CG-73), a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser (really an uprated guided missile destroyer), launched in 1992. ... The Kasagi (笠置) was an protected cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy, designed and built in Philadelphia, in the United States by the William Cramp and Sons. ... The Chitose (千歳) was an protected cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy, designed and built in San Francisco, in the United States by the Union Iron Works. ... The Takasago (高砂) was an protected cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy, designed and built by the Armstrong Whitworth shipyards in Elswick, in the Great Britain. ... The Yoshino, 1892. ... This page is about negotiations; for the board game, see Diplomacy (game). ...

On the Russian side, Admiral Stark had the battleships Petropavlovsk, Sevastopol, Peresvet, Pobeda, Poltava, Tsesarevich and Retvizan, supported by the cruisers Pallada, Diana, Askold, Novik, and Boyarin, all based within the protection of the fortified naval base of Port Arthur. However, the defenses of Port Arthur were not as strong as they could have been, as few of the shore artillery batteries were operational, funds for improving the defenses had been diverted to nearby Dalny, and most of the officer corps was celebrating at a party being hosted by Admiral Stark on the night of 9 February 1904. Rear-Admiral Oskar Victorovich Stark was the explorer of Peter the Great Bay and the Far Eastern seas (the straight in Peter the Great Bay and the bay in the Tatar Straight are named after Stark). ... The Petropavlovsk Class were Pre-Dreadnought battleships built for the Imperial Russian Navy. ... The Petropavlovsk Class were Pre-Dreadnought battleships built for the Imperial Russian Navy. ... The Preresviet class were Pre-Dreadnought battleships of the Imperial Russian Navy. ... The Preresviet class were Pre-Dreadnought battleships of the Imperial Russian Navy. ... The Petropavlovsk Class were Pre-Dreadnought battleships built for the Imperial Russian Navy. ... Midships of Tsesarevich The Russian Battleship Tsesarevitch (Цесаревич) was built in France by Compagnie des Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée à la Seine for the Imperial Russian Navy. ... Retvizan (1902 to 24) The Retvizan was a Russian Pre-dreadnought battleship, which fought in the Russo-Japanese war. ... Russian cruiser Askold The Russian Cruiser Askold (Аскольд) was built for the Imperial Russian Navy by Deutche Werft Kiel, she was launched on 3 March 1900 and served in the Russian Pacific Fleet during both the Russo-Japanese war and World War I. She was Interned in Shanghai after the Battle... The Suzuya was a protected cruiser in the Imperial Japanese Navy, originally built for the Imperial Russian Navy as the Novik, by Schichau shipyards in Elbing near Danzig, Germany. ... The Boyarin (Nobleman) was a light cruiser built for the Imperial Russian Navy. ... Dalian (Simplified Chinese: 大连; Traditional Chinese: 大連; pinyin: Dàlián; Wade-Giles: Ta-lien), formerly Lüda or Luta, is an ice-free seaport and a sub-provincial city in eastern Liaoning Province of the Northeastern Peoples Republic of China (Manchuria). ... February 9 is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1904 (MCMIV) was a leap year starting on a Friday (see link for calendar). ...

As Admiral Togo had received false information from local spies in and around Port Arthur that the garrisons of the forts guarding the port were on full alert, he was unwilling to risk his precious capital ships to the Russian shore artillery and therefore held back his main battle fleet. Instead, the destroyer force was split into two attack squadrons, one squadron with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd flotillas to attack Port Arthur and the other squadron with the 4th and 5th flotillas to attack the Russian base at Dalny. The capital ships of a navy are its important warships; the ones with the heaviest firepower and armor. ...

The night attack of February 8-9, 1904

At about 2230 on 8 February 1904, the Port Arthur attack squadron of 10 destroyers encountered patrolling Russian destroyers. The Russians were under orders not to initiate combat, and turned to report the contact to headquarters. However, as a result of the encounter, two Japanese destroyers collided and fell behind and the remainder became scattered. At about 0028 on 9 February 1904, the first four Japanese destroyers approached the port of Port Arthur without being observed, and launched a torpedo attack against the Pallada (which was hit amidship, caught fire and keeled over) and the Retvizan (which was holed in her bow). The other Japanese destroyers were less successful, as they arrived too late to benefit from surprise, and made their attacks individually rather than in a group. However, they were able to disable the most powerful ship of the Russian fleet, the battleship Tsesarevitch. The Japanese destroyer "Oboro" made the last attack, around 0200, by which time the Russians were fully awake, and their searchlights and gunfire made accurate and close range torpedo attacks impossible. February 8 is the 39th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1904 (MCMIV) was a leap year starting on a Friday (see link for calendar). ... February 9 is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1904 (MCMIV) was a leap year starting on a Friday (see link for calendar). ... A modern torpedo, historically called a locomotive torpedo, is a self-propelled projectile that (after being launched above or below the water surface) operates underwater and is designed to detonate on contact or in proximity to a target. ... The Retvizan was a Russian Pre-dreadnought battleship, whic fought in the Russo-Japanese war. ... Midships of Tsesarevich The Russian Battleship Tsesarevitch (Цесаревич) was built in France by Compagnie des Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée à la Seine for the Imperial Russian Navy. ... In 1894, the Imperial Japanese Navy instituted a new plan for expansion and modernization based on lessons learned in the First Sino-Japanese War. ...

Despite ideal conditions for a surprise attack, the results were relatively poor. Of the sixteen torpedoes fired, all but three either missed or failed to explode. But luck was against the Russians in so far as two of the three torpedoes hit their best battleships: the Retvizan and the Tsesarevich were put out of action for weeks, as was the protected cruiser Pallada. A modern torpedo, historically called a locomotive torpedo, is a self-propelled projectile that (after being launched above or below the water surface) operates underwater and is designed to detonate on contact or in proximity to a target. ... Protected cruiser armour scheme — a cross-section (armour in red) Protected cruisers were a type of naval cruiser of the late 19th century. ...

Surface engagement of February 9, 1904

Following the night attack, Admiral Togo sent his subordinate, Vice Admiral Shigeto Dewa, with four cruisers on a reconnaissance mission at 0800 to look into the Port Arthur anchorage and to assess the damage. By 0900 Admiral Dewa was near enough to make out the Russian fleet through the morning mist. He observed 12 battleships and cruisers, three or four of which seemed to be badly listing or to be aground. The smaller vessels outside the harbor entrance were in apparent disarray. Dewa approached to about 7500 yards of the harbor, but as no notice was taken of the Japanese ships, he was convinced that the night attack had successfully paralyzed the Russian fleet, and sped off to report to Admiral Togo. Since Dewa had approached no nearer than 3 nautical miles, it is no wonder that his conclusion was wrong. Vice Admiral is a naval rank of three star level, equivalent to Lieutenant General in seniority. ... Dewa Shigeto 出羽 重遠 1855-1930 was a Japanese admiral. ... Mixed reconnaissance patrol of the Polish Home Army and the Soviet Red Army during Operation Tempest, 1944 Reconnaissance is the military term for the active gathering of information about an enemy, or other conditions, by physical observation. ... A nautical mile is a unit of distance, or, as physical scientists like to call it, length. ...

Unaware that the Russian fleet was getting ready for battle, Dewa urged Admiral Togo that the moment was extremely advantageous for the main fleet to quickly attack. Although Togo would have preferred luring the Russian fleet away from the protection of the shore batteries, Dewa's mistakenly optimistic conclusions meant that the risk was justified. Admiral Togo ordered the First Division to attack the harbor, with the Third Division in reserve in the rear.

Upon approaching Port Arthur the Japanese came upon Russian cruiser Boyarin, which was on patrol. Boyarin fired on the Mikasa at extreme range, then turned and fled. At 1100, at a distance of around 8000 yards, combat commenced between the Japanese and Russian fleets. The Japanese concentrated the fire of their 12" guns on the shore batteries while using their 8" and 6" against the Russian ships. Shooting was poor on both sides, but the Japanese severely damaged the Novik, Petropavlovsk, Poltava, Diana and Askold. However, it soon became evident that Admiral Dewa had made a critical error. In the first five minutes of the battle Mikasa was hit by a ricocheting shell, which burst over her, wounding the chief engineer, the flag lieutenant, and five other officers and men, wrecking the aft bridge.

At 1220 Admiral Togo decided to reverse course and escape the trap. It was a highly risky maneuver that exposed the fleet to the full brunt of the Russian shore batteries. Despite the heavy firing, the Japanese battleships completed the maneuver and rapidly withdrew out of range. The Shikishima, Iwate, Fuji and Hatsuse all took damage. Several hits were also made on Admiral Hikonojo Kamimura's cruisers as they reached the turning point. At this time Novik closed to within 3300 yards of the Japanese cruisers and fired a torpedo salvo. All missed and Novik received a severe hit below the waterline. Hikonojo Kamimura ) (1 May 1849 – 8 August 1916) was an early admiral of the Imperial Japanese Navy later commanding the IJN 2nd Fleet during the Russo-Japanese War, most notably at the Battle off Ulsan and Tsushima. ...

Outcome

The naval Battle of Port Arthur thus ended inconclusively. The Russians took 150 casualties to around 132 for the Japanese. Although no ship was sunk on either side, several took damage. However, the Japanese had ship repair and drydock facilities in Sasebo with which to make repairs, whereas the Russian fleet had only very limited repair capability at Port Arthur. U.S. Navy submarine USS Greeneville in dry dock following collision with a fishing boat. ... Illuminated by the Albuquerque Bridge, Japanese volunteers place candle lit lanterns into the Sasebo River during the Obon festival. ...

It was obvious that Admiral Dewa had failed to press his reconnaissance closely enough, and that once the true situation was apparent, Admiral Togo's objection to engage the enemy under their shore batteries was justified. The formal declaration of war between Japan and Russia was issued on 10 February 1904, a day after the battle. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs a declaration of war against the Empire of Japan on December 8, 1941, one day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. ... February 10 is the 41st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1904 (MCMIV) was a leap year starting on a Friday (see link for calendar). ...

Subsequent naval actions at Port Arthur, February-May 1904

On 11 February 1904, the Russian minelayer Yeneisei started to mine the entrance to Port Arthur. One of the mines washed up against the ship's rudder, exploded and caused the ship to sink, with loss of 120 of the ship's complement of 200. The Yeneisei also sank with the only map indicating the position of the mines. The Boyarin, sent to investigate the accident, also struck a mine and had to be abandoned. February 11 is the 42nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1904 (MCMIV) was a leap year starting on a Friday (see link for calendar). ... A minelayer is a naval ship used for deploying sea mines. ... Polish wz. ... The Boyarin (Nobleman) was a light cruiser built for the Imperial Russian Navy. ...

Admiral Togo set sail from Sasebo again on 14 February 1904, with all ships except for the Fuji. On the morning of 24 February 1904, an attempt was made to scuttle five old transport vessels to block the entry to Port Arthur, sealing the Russian fleet inside. The plan was foiled by the Retvizan, which was still grounded outside the harbor. In the poor light, the Russian mistook the old transports for battleships, and an exultant Viceroy Alexeiev telegraphed the Tsar of his great naval victory. After daylight revealed the truth, a second telegram needed to be sent. February 14 is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1904 (MCMIV) was a leap year starting on a Friday (see link for calendar). ... February 24 is the 55th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1904 (MCMIV) was a leap year starting on a Friday (see link for calendar). ... The Retvizan was a Russian Pre-dreadnought battleship, whic fought in the Russo-Japanese war. ... General Mikhail Alekseev General Mikhail Alekseev Mikhail Vasiliyevich Alekseev (Russian: Алексеев, Михаил Васильевич) (November 3, 1857 — September 25, 1918) was a Russian military officer before and during World War I, and one of the leaders of anti-Bolshevik forces in 1917-1918. ... Nicholas II can refer to: Pope Nicholas II Tsar Nicholas II of Russia This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

On 8 March 1904, Russian Admiral Stepan Makarov arrived in Port Arthur to assume command from the unfortunate Admiral Stark, thus raising Russian morale. He raised his flag on the newly repaired Askold. On the morning of 10 March 1904, the Russian fleet took to the offense, and attacked the blockading Japanese squadron, but to little effect. In the evening of 10 March 1904, the Japanese attempted a ruse by sending four destroyers close to the harbor. The Russians took the bait, and sent out six destroyers in pursuit; whereupon the Japanese mined the entrance to the harbor and moved into position to block the destroyers return. Two of the Russian destroyers were sunk, despite efforts by Admiral Makarov to come to their rescue. March 8 is the 67th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (68th in leap years). ... Year 1904 (MCMIV) was a leap year starting on a Friday (see link for calendar). ... Stepan Osipovich Makarov (Russian: Степа́н О́сипович Мака́ров) (January 8, 1848/1849 — March 31, 1904) was a famous Russian vice-admiral, a highly accomplished and decorated commander of the... March 10 is the 69th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (70th in leap years). ... Year 1904 (MCMIV) was a leap year starting on a Friday (see link for calendar). ... March 10 is the 69th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (70th in leap years). ... Year 1904 (MCMIV) was a leap year starting on a Friday (see link for calendar). ...

On 22 March 1904, the Fuji and the Yashima were attacked by the Russian fleet under Admiral Makarov, and the Fuji was forced to withdraw to Sasebo for repairs. Under Makarov, the Russian fleet was growing more confident and better trained. In response, on 27 March 1904, Togo again attempted to block Port Arthur, this time using four more old transports filled with stones and cement. The attack again failed as the transports were sunk too far away from the entrance to the harbor. March 22 is the 81st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (82nd in leap years). ... Year 1904 (MCMIV) was a leap year starting on a Friday (see link for calendar). ... March 27 is the 86th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (87th in leap years). ... Year 1904 (MCMIV) was a leap year starting on a Friday (see link for calendar). ...

On 13 April 1904, Makarov (who had now transferred his flag to the Petropavlovsk) left port to go to the assistance of a destroyer squadron he had sent on reconnaissance north to Dalny. He was accompanied by the Askold, Diana, Novik , Poltava, Sevastopol, Pobieda, and Peresvyet. The Japanese fleet was waiting, and Makarov withdrew to the protection of the shore batteries at Port Arthur. However, the area had been mined by the Japanese. At 0943, the Petropavlovsk struck 3 mines, exploded and sank within 2 minutes. The disaster killed 635 men and officers, along with Admiral Makarov. At 1015, the Pobieda was also crippled by a mine. The following day, Admiral Togo orders all flags to be flown at half mast, and that a day’s mourning be observed for his fallen enemy adversary. April 13 is the 103rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (104th in leap years). ... Year 1904 (MCMIV) was a leap year starting on a Friday (see link for calendar). ... Russian cruiser Askold The Russian Cruiser Askold (Аскольд) was built for the Imperial Russian Navy by Deutche Werft Kiel, she was launched on 3 March 1900 and served in the Russian Pacific Fleet during both the Russo-Japanese war and World War I. She was Interned in Shanghai after the Battle... The Suzuya was a protected cruiser in the Imperial Japanese Navy, originally built for the Imperial Russian Navy as the Novik, by Schichau shipyards in Elbing near Danzig, Germany. ...

On 3 May 1904, Admiral Togo made his third and final attempt at blocking the entrance to Port Arthur, this time with 8 old transports. The attempt also failed, but Togo proclaimed it to be a success, thus clearing the way for the Japanese Second Army to land in Manchuria. Although Port Arthur was as good as blocked, due to the lack of initiative by Makarov's successors, Japanese losses began to mount, largely due to Russian mines. May 3 is the 123rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (124th in leap years). ... Year 1904 (MCMIV) was a leap year starting on a Friday (see link for calendar). ...

See also

• Sidney Reilly, allegedly handed defence plans to the Japanese

Lieutenant Sidney George Reilly, MC (c. ...

References

• Kowner, Rotem (2006). "Historical Dictionary of the Russo-Japanese War". Scarecrow. ISBN 0-8108-4927-5
• Nish, Ian (1985). "The Origins of the Russo-Japanese War." Longman. ISBN 0-582-49114-2
• Connaughton, Richard (2003). “Rising Sun and Tumbling Bear.” Cassell. ISBN 0-304-36657-9
• F.R. Sedwick, (R.F.A.), The Russo-Japanese War, 1909, The Macmillan Company, N.Y.

Year 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

External links

• Russo-Japanese War Research Society: Battle of Port Arthur
• Russian Navy history of war: http://www.navy.ru/history/hrn10-e.htm