Koreets Exploding
The Koreets crew went to the French Pascal cruiser. The Varyag crew was distributed between Pascal, Talbot and Elba. Later, the commanders of foreign warships received approval and expression of gratitude for their actions on behalf of their respective envoys.
At 3.50 pm, Rudnev and senior boatswain made a tour of the ship to make sure nobody was left behind and left the ship together with the owners of the cargo compartments, who opened the flood valves.
Koreets was blown up at 4.05 pm and at 6.10 pm Varyag lay on the left side and went under water. The crew also destroyed the Russian steamer Sungary, which was also sitting in the bay.
The foreign stationary ships took the Russian crews to Shanghai and from there to Russia using transportation provided by neutral countries. After a series of failures of the Russian army and fleet in the Far East, the Czarist government was in need of a success. Therefore the Varyag and Koreets sailors were accorded a triumphal greeting in Odessa. A special train took the heroes across Russia and they were given enthusiastic greetings at each station.
On 14 April 1904, the Chemulpo heroes were solemnly greeted in Moscow. An Arc of Triumph was built on the Sadovoye Ring next to Spassky Quarters to honour the occasion. Two days later the Varyag and Koreets crews participated in the ceremonial march on the Nevsky Prospekt from the Moscow railroad Station to the Winter Palace in St Petersburg, where they had been greeted by the Russian Emperor. After that, the officers had been invited to have breakfast with Nikolai II in the White Hall and the men had lunch at the Nikolayevsky Hall in the Zimmiijy Palace.
A table was laid in the concert hall with golden dishware used by the highest dignitaries. Nikolai II addressed the Chemulpo heroes with the following words:
Nikolai II
“My dear fellows! I am happy to see you all in good health back in Russia. Many of you have been inscribed with your blood a deed into the annals of the Russian fleet that is worthy of the feats by your ancestors, grandfathers and fathers, who showed their prowess on ‘Azov’ and ‘Mercury’.
Now you too have written a new page in the history of our fleet, and added the names of Varyag and Koreets to this list. These names will go into eternity. I am sure that each of you will remain worthy of the award that I gave you. All of Russia and I read with love and awe about the acts of heroism that you have shown at Chemulpo. I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting the honour of the Andreyevsky flag and dignity of the Great Holy Russia. Here is to our future victories of our glorious fleet. To your health, my dear fellows!”
Rudnev put forward for decorations the officers and men who had acted bravely during the battle and the emperor not only approved all his requests but also gave military medals to all participants in the Chemulpo battle without exception.
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