Admiral Togo’s official report of the attack on Port Arthur is dated
February 10, 1904, at sea, and is as follows:—
After the combined fleet left Sasebo on the 6th,
everything went off as planned.
At midnight, on the 8th, the advance squadron attacked
the enemy’s advance squadron, the latter being mostly
outside the bay.
The Poltava, Askold, and two others were apparently
struck by torpedoes.
At noon, on the 9th, the fleet advanced to the offing
of Port Arthur Bay, and attacked the enemy for forty
minutes, I believe doing considerable damage.
I believe the enemy were greatly demoralised. They
stopped fighting at one o’clock, and appeared to
retreat to the harbour.
The Japanese fleet suffered but very slight damage, and
its fighting strength has not decreased.
Our casualties were four killed and fifty-four wounded.
The imperial princes on board suffered no harm.
The conduct of the officers was cool, and not unlike
their conduct at manœuvres.
This morning, owing to the heavy south wind, detailed
reports from the vessels have not been received, so I
merely report the above facts.