11:30 p.m.
Ito and I had both happily recovered from our indisposition by this time , and were able to rejoin the fleet in time to participate in the projected operation . Although promoted to the rank of Commander , I was left in command of the _ Kasanumi _ ; but Ito got a step up the ratlines , being given the command of the _ Akatsuki _ , while a youngster named Hiraoka was given me in his place . On 9th March we were busy all day shipping our harmless mines ; and at eight o'clock in the evening we weighed and , under easy steam , proceeded from our base at the Elliot Islands , bound for Port Arthur roadstead , accompanied by the fast cruiser squadron , the duty of which was to support us in the event of our being attacked , and cover our escape . By 11:30 p.m. we were within ten miles of the roadstead ; and at this point we parted company with the cruisers , who now hove-to for half an hour , to allow us time to reach our destination . At the expiration of that time , a light or two were `` accidentally '' revealed on board the cruisers for a few seconds , just long enough to give the Port Arthur lookouts an opportunity to detect them , when they were extinguished . But the ruse was successful , the attention of the lookouts had been attracted , and instantly the searchlights from the station on the cliff to the eastward of the harbour were turned upon the cruisers and kept steadily bearing upon them . They were , of course , so far away that they were only dimly descried , and too far distant to make it worth while to open fire upon them , but their movements were -- of set purpose -- of so suspicious a character that , having once detected them , the Russians were determined not to lose sight of them again .