Page:Semenoff V. The battle of Tsu-Shima.pdf/50

Japanese was very material. The oldest of Togo's twelve ships—the Fuji, was two years younger than the Sissoy, which, among our twelve best, came sixth in seniority! Their speed was one-and-a-half times as great as ours, but their chief superiority lay in their new shells, of which We had no inkling.

What with manoeuvres, etc, the 26th May passed almost imperceptibly.

I do not know the feeling on board the other ships, but in the Suvoroff we were cheerful and eager for the fray. Anxious, of course, we were, but not so over-anxious as to worry. The officers went their rounds, and looked after their men more than usual; explained details, talked, and found fault with those immediately under them