even careless.
– However, what to worry? To be ready for everything is their direct duty, – decided Lykov.
four
It was the eve of the Chinese New Year. The streets were discharged merchants and coolies. Red stickers with various good wishes glittered on shops, carts, gates of dwellings, hauliers of peddlers and even on rocker arms of water carriers.
In the restaurant, Lykov met a familiar naval officer.
– How are you in the Far? – he asked.
We live as if in an abandoned village. Meanwhile, events seem to be brewing.
– Yes, the Japanese squash.
– Are we ready?
– Sure.
“I don’t like the external raid,” said Lykov. – It is difficult to keep track of the enemy destroyers.
“Sorry, but this is a naive question.” Every night there are patrols of combat light vessels. But we, the sailors, do not assume that there will be military actions, although we want them. Japanese should have taught a lesson.
– Tell me, do you have our vessels in other nearby ports, for example in Korean ones? In my opinion, in such an alarming time, all vessels must be assembled so that they will not be shot one by one.
– You worry in vain.
– I will tell you in a friendly way, there is much carelessness among the military. They say that naval officers do not always spend the night on their ships.
– It happens. War is not declared.
“One shouldn’t lose sensitivity,” said Lykov, sighing, and blushed, remembering the Japanese woman.
– Are you worried. I am pleased to hear how Russian people care about our fleet… But Alexander Petrovich, you merchants often obscure your mind, and you, not you personally, of course, go to criminal deals, although they are to the detriment of the treasury.
– For example?
– We are released bad coal, poor quality provisions.
– Watch, check.
– You have to be everywhere and honest in everything. We, the sailors, can be blamed for drunkenness, but by no means cheating.
– Drinking is also a waste! – exclaimed Lykov. – You are wasting your health and time. Meanwhile, both should be used to study the environment and new advances in technology. Sorry, captain, I have been told many times: young naval officers are inert in their studies. Not many follow Admiral Makarov’s example.
– Quite you worry. Everything is good. Sleep well… But you, dear friend, are you a weak drinker?
– I quit drinking and smoking.
– What is it?
– I decided to marry. And the girl from such that does not love drinking and smoking.
– Spit and find another.
– You can not, sir, heart, sir! – smiling, answered Lykov.
Chapter five
one
January 26 evening, the Chinese began to celebrate their new year. Fireworks and firecrackers cracked everywhere. An unimaginable noise hit the strained nerves of the Russian inhabitants.
“Has it really begun?” – each of them thought. But, having learned what was the matter, the Porturtians calmed down.
…The night was dark, moonless, cold. A light fog enveloped the combat vessels that stood on the outer roadstead. Lighthouse lights blinked warmly. Rays of searchlights ran and then glided along the horizon. Port Arthur Harbor, not yet in-depth, did not have a permanent free passage for large vessels. At the entrance and exit, they used the clock tide.
The squadron stood on the outer roadstead in three lines: in the north – the battleships “Petropavlovsk”, “Poltava”, “Sevastopol”; in the south – the cruisers Angara, Diana, Pallada, Bayan and Askold; in the middle between the two groups are the handsome battleships Peresvet, Pobeda, Retvizan, and Tsesarevich.
The destroyers Thunderbolt and Fearless cruised along the line of long-distance protection. Cruiser “Novik” and “Boyar” stood near the shore.
A light southerly wind enveloped the ships with a warm mist. By ten o’clock at night there was silence, which was disturbed only by a slight splashing of the waves.
Around midnight there was an explosion of a mine at the port side of the Retvizan. A minute later, the Tsesarevich opened fire on the Japanese torpedoes rushing at him. Following this, volleys of rapid fire rang out from other ships.
Huge pillars of water soared near the “Tsarevich” and “Pallas.” The unfortunate vessels lurched and, choosing anchors, headed towards the harbor entrance. Enemy destroyers pursued the “Cesarevich”, but were met with amicable fire from ship guns. A few minutes later one of them sank. The rest turned back.
Wounded “Retvizan” first went to the Tiger Tail and buried his nose on the shore. At the “Tsesarevich” they did not become confused and filled the corresponding compartments with water in time, otherwise the battleship would turn over.
The inhabitants of Arthur took the first shots of the outbreak of war for practice shooting.
In the army rose turmoil. The commandant of the fortress Stessel arrived at the headquarters.
– All rotam immediately take shore batteries.
“Your Excellency, there is no disposition,” said the chief of staff.
Stoessel’s eyes widened, his mouth parted, his fat chin sagged.
– Ugliness! – Stoessel swore. – It was necessary to think about it before. Would develop and submit for review and approval… Call and send messengers so that each company takes the appropriate battery and guards the approaches to it.
“What company and what battery?” Which flank to strengthen?
– Children’s questions. The chief of staff and company commanders themselves must know their business. Do I have the right to rely on their ingenuity and quickness?
– They have nothing to do with it. Your Excellency should have all the threads in his hands and a plan developed with your participation.
– Give
