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.