Battle Ship

At the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War, in February 1904, the Russian battleship Petropavlovsk was flagship of the Pacific Squadron, based on Port Arthur. The torpedo attacks with which the Japanese initiated their offensive shook the morale of the Russian sailors and, in an attempt to restore confidence, Vice-Admiral S. O. Makharoff took over the command of the fleet.
This officer was one of the foremost naval leaders of the day. He had served in the Russo-Turkish War and had rendered distinguished service, particularly in leading a night attack upon the harbour of Batoum, where he torpedoed several Turkish ships. He was an inventor, a noted hydrographer, a torpedo expert, and a born leader and organiser.
Two days after assuming command Admiral Makharoff in the light cruiser Novik, accompanied by the light cruiser Askold, and a destroyer flotilla, engaged enemy light forces, retiring only when Admiral Togo, the Japanese commander-in-chief, ordered up a division of heavy ships. The Japanese laid mines across the entrance to the harbour and on April 13th a decoy flotilla of destroyers was sent close inshore. A Russian squadron, led by Admiral Makharoff in the battleship Petropavlovsk, came out to drive them off, and later Japanese heavy units appeared. After an engagement lasting for about an hour, Admiral Makharoff drew off his ships, but at 10.32 a.m., when almost in harbour, the Petropavlovsk struck a mine and blew up and sank. Admiral Makharoff and more than 600 officers and men were lost. Seven officers and 73 men were rescued by the ships of the squadron.