Page:Semenoff V. The battle of Tsu-Shima.pdf/193

intended to remain in the ward-room, but there was no room. All the cabins and even the upper deck were full of men, as, before coming to the Suvoroff, the Buiny had picked up over 200 men at the spot where the Oslyabya sank. Amongst them were wounded sailors who had been swimming about in the salt water, and others who, when taken up, had been half drowned. The latter, contracted with cramp, and racked with tormenting coughs and pains in their chests, seemed with their bluish faces to be in a worse plight than the most badly wounded.

Passing on to the upper deck I seated myself on a box by the ladder to the officers' quarters.

Signals were fluttering from our mast and orders were being given by sema-