eight o'clock
The Russians at once landed a large force of sailors and marines , cut the telegraph wires and the railway lines , and fired without warning upon every one who attempted to leave the town . The stores of coal and ammunition were seized , and six large cruisers were taking in coal all night . The banks were also entered , and the specie taken possession of , as indemnity for the town . At eight o'clock the cruisers and battleships steamed out of the river without doing further damage . The squadron from the Tay was compelled to retire by the overwhelming force that the Russians brought to bear upon it after Aberdeen surrendered . Half an hour ago the Russian fleet was lost sight of proceeding at full speed to the north-eastward . Our loss has been terribly heavy .