SECOND ATTACK
The official report is as follows:—
On the 13th a division of torpedo-boat destroyers started for Port Arthur during a heavy snowstorm. The boats lost sight of each other and became separated. Only the Hayatori and Asagiri reached Port Arthur. The Asagiri sighted the entrance to the harbour at three o’clock on the morning of the 14th, and was received with a heavy fire by the batteries and scouting torpedo boats. She entered the harbour and discharged a torpedo at a warship from whose funnel smoke was ascending. The Asagiri then emerged safely, returning the fire of the enemy’s torpedo-boats.
The same morning, at five o’clock, the Hayatori approached Port Arthur and discerned two Russian ships, which opened fire on her. The destroyer discharged a torpedo, which was seen to explode. The Hayatori also escaped scathless.
It is impossible to state the definite material results, owing to the darkness, but the moral effect was certainly considerable.
Togo.
It has not yet been definitely ascertained whether any Russian ship was sunk; if so, it was only a minor vessel. This attack may be written off as a wasted effort.