London Times, 13 July 1905, p. 5: THE RUSSIAN NAVY. NEW MINISTER OF MARINE. ST. PETERSBURG, JULY 12.*
REVAL, JULY 11.*
It is announced that discontent manifested itself on the 7th. inst. among the sailors of the cruiser Minine [Minin] lying at anchor here. The men complained of bad food and a sailor threw a biscuit into the face of an officer. The boatswain and two petty officers, who were concerned in the affair, will be tried by Court-martial.
The naval crews here, numbering about 700 men, to-day refused to eat their dinner, which they described as repulsive, and sent a deputation to the commander-in-chief, who tasted the food and admitted that the men were right. The officer responsible for the supply of provisions was thereupon relieved of his duties and sentenced to a week’s strict arrest. It should be added that the sailors further complained that the officer in question had pocketed 200 roubles (£20) of the funds assigned for the food supply.
Owing to apprehensions of a mutiny, the sailors of the Minine and Kreml have had their firearms taken away from them.
CONSTANZA, JULY 12.*
In obedience to orders received from St. Petersburg the Russian squadron left this port during the night for Sevastopol, the Kniaz Potemkin being towed by the battleship Tchesme.
PORT SAID, JULY 12.*
Admiral Birileff has been appointed Minister of Marine. The appointment involves a departure from traditional usage, as Admiral Birileff becomes Minister forthwith without serving the usual probationary period as Administrator of the Department.
The Russian auxiliary cruiser Rion has arrived here. She will leave for Libau to-morrow afternoon.
Provided by Stephen McLaughlin