The Naval Battles of the Russo-Japanese War (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1907 edition. Excerpt: ... and eight were finished that night. On examining these I considered them too short to hold the corpses. Putting myself inside one of them I found that I could not lie with my feet stretched out. When I asked them why orders were given to make these so short I was told it was because of the Limited accommodation of the crematoria. " If I be killed to-morrow, you must make a longer one for me " I said with a laugh. After all the bodies had been examined they were put into these coffins, and their ranks and names inscribed thereon, as well as on the ihai (tablets), which latter were kept together in a separate room. A number of men were appointed to keep watch all night; and by the time every thing was done it was about 2.30 a.m., -at which hour with the other officers and men on board I held an informal service to commemorate those who were killed in the battle. In my capacity of commander of the Asahi I read the following written speech: --" In the decisive battle between the Japanese and Russian navies we have annihilated the enemy's fleet and, by the self-sacrificing efforts shown to-day by you all, have gained a great victory. Allow me now to lay before you a line of yerse expressive of the deep admiration and respect I have conceived for your bravery. " Ada wa mina harai tsukushite tatakai no, Arashi ni chiru zo hito no hana narn. " In that same conflict which dispersed to flight Our foe, as by some death-fraught tempests' might Our bravest sons, like flowers too fair to last Were stricken by the fury of the blast. " Your gallant deeds will ever find honour among us as models for warriors bright as the morning sun in our land of Hinode. Accept here and now the tribute of our admiration and reverence." Our casualties in the engagement of Feb....