Varyag and Koreets

Back on the cruiser Varyag, the commander told the officers about the beginning of combat actions. The officers unanimously decided to try and break through to the open sea or blow up the ship if unable. However, everybody kept the feeble hope that while suggesting that Varyag “leaves the port” the Japanese would let the ship reach the open sea, where the chance of success was greater than in a narrow and shallow harbour, or in the navigating channel, which left no room for manoeuvre.

At 10.45 am V.F. Rudnev addressed the crew on the deck. Announcing the Japanese ultimatum, the commander said: “Surrender is out of the question. We will not let them have either the cruiser or ourselves, and we will fight till the last possibility and the last drop of blood. Perform your duties accurately, calmly, without haste, especially the gunners. Keep in mind that each missile must hurt the enemy. Should a fire break out, put it out unannounced, reporting it only to me”. The Varyag crew backed their commander’s speech with a thunderous, “hurrah”. The Koreets crew learned the news about the upcoming battle with the same kind of enthusiasm.

“I’m struck with awe” recalled later the Varyag doctor M.L. Banschikov, “Each time I relive in my memory the unforgettable picture of huge general lifting of the spirit. Seeming, these transformed people could overcome any hurdle”.

At 11.20 am on 27 January 1904 cruiser Varyag and gunboat Koreets weighed anchors and started out towards the exit from the roadstead. The foreign ships’ crews lined upon the decks of their ships and, to the sounds of the Russian anthem, greeted the courage of the Russians going into the hopeless battle.

Varyag Monument at Lendalfoot

“We saluted those heroes who proudly proceeded to their own death”, wrote V. Senet, the commander of the French cruiser Pascal, in his report.

The distance between the two ships was maintained at 1 to 2 cables and the speed was 6 to 7 knots. The day was calm and crisp and the sea was dead calm. At 11.25 am the Captain First Rank Rudnev ordered to sound the battle alarm and hoist the masthead flags.

The Japanese squadron was waiting for the Russians at the southern tip of the Philippe Island. Asama cruiser was the nearest to the exit and its crew was the first to notice the oncoming Varyag and Koreets.

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