three o'clock
Not a sign of a ship anywhere . `` Oh , wo n't you come across , '' repeated Longstreet , listlessly joining in the rhythm of the engines . Then he stretched himself and sank back on his chair in a somnolent state , thinking over the experiences of the night . So this was all that was left of the Pacific Fleet -- a hospital ship with a few hundred wounded officers and men , all that remained of Admiral Crane 's fleet , which had been attacked with torpedo boats by Admiral Kamimura at three o'clock on the night of May eighth , after Togo had destroyed Perry 's squadron . It had been a horrible surprise . The enemy must have intercepted the signals between the squadron and the scouts , but as the Japanese had not employed their wireless telegraph at all , none of the American reconnoitering cruisers had had its suspicions aroused . Then the wireless apparatus had suddenly got out of order and all further intercommunication among the American ships was cut off , while a few minutes later came the first torpedo explosions , followed by fountains of foam , the dazzling light of the searchlights and sparks from the falling shells .