RADM Peter Wake, USN is on an espionage mission in Europe during 1904-05 to obtain the German war plan to invade America. In the process, Wake becomes a German target, inescapably entangled in Russian turmoil, and headed for the disastrous Russia-Japan naval battle on the far side of the globe which will change world history forever, producing the daunting foe that America will ultimately face 37 years later.

1. This War Ain’t Even Ours. Tsushima Straits, 27-May-1905. RADM Peter Wake, Chief Sean Rork USN, and CAPT Edwin Law were floating amidst hundreds of dead Russians in the water and burning ships. They could not yell for help as they might be mistaken for Russians. Suvorov was engulfed in flames, and a Russian torpedo boat sped away with injured VADM Zinovy Petrovich Rozhestvensky. The 3 Yanks were hurled overboard by a blast from a Japanese torpedo boat in a war not theirs to fight.

PART 1. THE MISSION

2. The Sheik, the Kaiser, and the Tsar. Washington DC, 22-June-1904. Sultan Abdelaziz, agreeing to Sheik Raisuli’s demands pleased Roosevelt, who then ordered Wake to steal the German plans; make an appraisal of Kaiser Wilhelm and Tsar Nicholas; and assess ability of Russia’s Navy versus Japan’s Navy. If Japan defeats the Russia, Japan’s next target is the Philippines. Wake worries for his son in Manila. Roosevelt warns him of the Machiavellian snake pit of Europe, and royal blue-blood vipers.
3. My Entourage. Hamburg, Germany, 27-July-1904. RADM Wake’s wife, Maria, is brilliant at evaluating personalities, fluent in Spanish, French, English; conversant in German and Italian; a bit of Russian, and excellent at getting useful information. CAPT Edwin Law USMC, for liaison, travel logistics, communications; conversant in Spanish and French; combat veteran of Cuba and Philippines; and sharp pistol shooter. Lastly, his best friend, Chief Sean Rork USN, as bodyguard and intelligence man.
4. Othello. Hamburg, Germany, 27-July-1904. “Othello” was a midlevel German army staff officer in strategic planning for future war operations. But his superior blocked all promotions, and embarrassed him in front of other officers. Othello wanted a simple revenge on his superior, MGEN Johann von Sonnenblume. Othello’s plan was to embarrass him by breach of security of the highly secret German war plan. Othello would offer the plan to Americans. Wake would have to move faster.
5. A Sympathetic Ear. Hamburg, Germany, 27-July-1904. A Jewish anti-Tsar Russian lady was hired by a U.S. naval officer in Germany to lure Othello and stoke revenge. She reported Othello trying to locate a large number of colliers to fuel the ships in his force projection plan. This number was for landing an invasion force. Clearly, America was the target of the war plan. Othello was putting his scheme against Sonnenblume into action. Wake had a plan to wangle the war plan from Othello.
6. Repugnant Skullduggery. Hamburg, Germany, 14-August-1904. Russian Interior Minister Vyacheslav von Plehve was killed on his way to brief the Tsar in St. Petersburg. Plehve was an overseer of the shadowy Russian secret police. It dreaded the Okhrana. Corporate Russians in Europe were now suspected of anarchist ties. Affecting Wake’s mission, he decided to delay.
7. The Biggest Pickehaube. Hamburg, Germany, 14-August-1904. Wake, Maria, and Law attended a party of Kaiser Wilhelm II. Wake endured the inane blather, ridiculous posturing, and the Emperor, a delusional demented man-child. By posing a most sincere look of veneration, Wake gathered the most important information from the Kaiser. Wake asked his opinion whether the Tsar’s fleet could make it around the world to fight the Japanese. He spilled that Albert Ballin would provide the colliers.
8. The Desdemona Decoy. Hamburg, Germany, 14-August-1904. Unaware Othello was behind Sonnenblume, Maria spoke. Othello turned his head toward her. He did not know how Maria looked but might have recognized her voice. As Othello moved closer, Rork sent Othello a note that his Russian Desdemona was nearby. Othello headed for the foyer. Wake’s team departed before Othello returned. They boarded the steamer Falke for St. Petersburg to meet the Tsar, and pursue Othello’s revenge plan.
9. Undercurrents. St. Petersburg, Russia, 17-August-1904. The people seemed more desperate in avoiding the Pacific war news. Wake received an invitation from RADM Pyotr Rachkovsky, Commandant, Kronstadt Naval Base, to attend the Rachmaninov symphony at Maryinsky Theater. Wake believed he could accomplish assessing Russia’s navy and army war capabilities and obtaining the German plan. Othello would get a note of when and where to meet, and convince him they were Russians.
10. A Siberian Tiger Can Never be a Vegetarian. St. Petersburg, Russia, 17-August-1904. Wake spotted Rachkovsky, a shrewd and dangerous man. Rachkovsky let Wake know he was on to his moves with the Russian girl and Othello, but postulated incorrectly that America was siding with Japan against Russia. Rachkovsky, in a threatening tone said, “Even when he gets old, a Siberian tiger is unable to change his habits, he still kills and never becomes a vegetarian.” Wake did not admit to anything.
11. Rork’s New Friend and Old Vodka. St. Petersburg, Russia, 24-August-1904. Rork followed Othello to a restaurant and introduced himself as Francois to the assistant head waiter, who agreed to slip a note into the Othello’s coat pocket. It said: “Othello–Maryinski tonight–Intermission–Latrine on the right side–Eat this note–Cassio.” If the plan fails, Maria would claim food poisoning, all leave the theater, board the steamer seeking medical attention and asylum, and depart for England.
12. The Hope of All Russia. St. Petersburg, Russia, 24-August-1904. That evening, Sergei Rachmaninov was conducting; it was the eve of the Feast of the Assumption, and Tsar Nicholas II was present. Wake and Maria were invited by RADM Rachkovsky but the Tsar requested they be his guests in the imperial box with VADM Zinovy Petrovich Rozhestvensky. Rozhestvensky was the last hope for Mother Russia to win the war. Wake wanted to know Russia’s capabilities and of Asia north of the Philippines.
13. The Tsar. St. Petersburg, Russia, 24-August-1904. Russian Tsar Nicholas II’s behavior was the opposite of his ostentatious German cousin, Kaiser Wilhelm II. He was regal and not pompous. It took a full 10 minutes for the chamberlain to declare the full titles of the Tsar covering Bulgaria, Poland, Norway, 24 royal titles, and numerous nationalities on two continents. Rork, Law, German officers, and Othello were all in place.
14. The Surprise Offer. St. Petersburg, Russia, 24-August-1904. Wake told the Tsar he had a message from President Roosevelt, who conveyed his desire to be a sincere friend but must remain neutral in the Russo-Japanese war. The Tsar wanted Wake onboard the Russian Fleet as a neutral observer of their strength. Roosevelt approved. Othello went to the latrine and Rork slid a torn shred of paper into his coat pocket that said “sit in seat 22-row 9; wait 10 minutes in the latrine for the reward.”
15. The Ring. St. Petersburg, Russia, 24-August-1904. Wake saw Maysa Abaev’s blue sapphire ring unhinge and arsenic powder pouring into his wine glass. He told her to stop but her right hand punched while her left reached for a tiny pistol. Wake’s left hand grabbed her left as his right hand reached for his revolver. Maysa collapsed when an iron candlestick fell on her head. Wake covered the carpet blood stains with wine and gagged Maysa. Wake’s said drunken soldiers were with Maysa.
16. Charming the Tsar. St. Petersburg, Russia, 24-August-1904. Wake suspected Arkadiy Harting ordered Maysa to assassinate him. When Harting asked if Wake remembered him. Wake said his real name was Mr. Landesmen and blurted he was an Okhrana. James Jordan said Roosevelt had a message for Wake and they had to leave soon. Law saw the same agent in Hamburg sit 2 rows behind Othello, and maybe saw him take invoices from Othello’s seat. Harting looked for Maysa, studying carpet stains.
17. St. Petersburg, Russia, 24-August-1904. At the U.S. embassy, Wake asked Jordan to translate a German document, and to bring in the naval and military attaches, fully geared for mission that begins in 1 hour for 1 month. Wake and Rork translated the telegram from Roosevelt: “Wake, We accept. Act immediately. You must ship. Naval expedition Russian navy. Carefully avoid violation of neutrality.” Law took out an envelope. It was the German plan for the U.S. invasion!
18. Amerikanischer Invasionseinsatzplan III. St. Petersburg, Russia, 24-August-1904. Wake had Jordan translate verbally. The first 2 plans of attack on U.S. ports and coastal cities were scrapped. The third plan would have 100K troops land near Plymouth, marching to Boston in 2 days; a landing on Cape Cod; and a decoy landing at Rockport. Either 50K troops are to capture the Caribbean or all 100K to capture Boston. It revealed of 65K American army strength, 35K were in the Philippines.
19. A Very Terrible Feeling. St. Petersburg, Russia, 25-August-1904. Wake told Jordan not to speak of the plans to anyone including the Ambassador. Same instructions to the 2 lieutenant escorts of Maria to France. But they must not board the train to Vichy. They must head for Washington via Copenhagen, and deliver the plans to Roosevelt and inform ONI CDR Schroeder he has them. Law, Rork, and Wake would be at Hotel Europa until they embark with the Russian Fleet. Maria had a terrible feeling.
20. Plausible Deniability. St. Petersburg, Russia, 25-August-1904. Maria and the warplan were out of Russia. Rachkovsky arrived at Hotel Europa and probed Maria’s trip to France. He spoke with plausible deniability. Rachkovsky said soldiers at the theater were interrogated, uniforms inspected, but none showed blood, bruises, smelled of alcohol, none fought over wine, murdered a woman, nor saw a lone American naval officer. Rork was behind Rachkovsky –kill? Wake shook his head.
21. Layers of Lies. St. Petersburg, Russia, 25-August-1904. Why did Maysa try to kill Wake, and for whom? Why is Rachkovsky covering up the killing of Maysa? How much do Germans know about Wake’s false-flag espionage? Why did Rachkovsky arrange Wake’s assignment as a neutral naval observer with the Russian fleet? Rachkovsky’s theory starts with a German officer dead by gunshot two streets away from Maryinsky, killed by a German. Arkadiy Harting believes Maysa was killed by the same agent.

PART 2. THE FLEET

22. Preparing for War. Kronstadt Naval Base, Russia, 26-August-1904. RADM Wake was invited by the Tsar for a formal dinner at the Kronstadt Navy Club. The Tsar gave a wonderful speech about Wake, and VADM Rozhestvensky welcomed him as a naval brother. The Russian Fleet got so drunk to the point of insensibility, except for the Tsar, Rozhestvensky, and Wake, for they knew the lives of the crew may end the next day beginning at 3 a.m. The party ended at 2 a.m. Wake was onboard Suvorov.
23. Spies and Torpedo Boats. Skagerrak Straits, Denmark. 17-October-1904. Harting was now Garting, providing information to Rozhestvensky by telegraph to the nearest port and then by fast boat out to the flagship or by Marconi wireless telegraph installed in a few Russian ships. Garting’s efforts were enhanced by the complete cooperation of the Danish military as their sovereign King Christian IX was the Tsar’s grandfather. It provided an escort squadron for passage through Denmark.
24. Morale? Dogger Bank, North Sea, 21-October-1904. Rozhestvensky was known to completely lose his temper, and beat up subordinates and officers. Rork reported their lack of training and experience using weapons with no attempts to improve accuracy. Academy graduates had little practical application. In modern warfare, morale is a needed addition to naval skill, not a substitute. Wake found the state of the Russian officers and men of the whole fleet dismal in every regard.
25. Dogger Bank, North Sea, 21-October-1904. Wake woke up to sounds of gunfire after midnight, so he got into his uniform, took extra bullets, then headed for the bridge. Rork and Law were already there standing. VADM Rozhestvensky screamed profanities in Russian. The Russian fleet was firing at the British fishing fleet at Dogger Bank, a traditional fishing ground. Rozhestvensky thought he saw torpedo boats and ordered the firing. Russian ships also hit each other in confusion.
26. Hail Britannia. Vigo, Spain, 26-October-1904. News in the papers reported a dreadful mistake by the Russians in that the vessels they shot were not torpedo boats but the British fishing fleet. The British were enraged that their fleet at Gibraltar was now on war alert, and 3 cruisers just appeared off the southern coast of Vigo. Within 3-4 days, there would be 20 battleships and cruisers off Vigo. An encoded telegram for RADM Wake said if war broke out with Britain, he was to leave the Fleet at first port.
27. Tangiers, French Morocco, 1-November-1904. Wake replied to Roosevelt’s telegram saying no Japanese warships were at Dogger Bank; French Tangiers were friendly to Russians; Germans coaling for Russians but suspicious of him; Russian Fleet was not combat ready but its Admiral was. RADM Dimitry Fölkersam took 5 warships toward Suez Canal. Anadyr’s anchor got stuck on the transcontinental cable. Rozhestvensky ordered to cut the cable. Wake lost his bridge to Roosevelt.
28. Bears in the Tropics. Dakar, French Senegal, 12-November-1904. Paris sent a message prohibiting the Russian Fleet to refuel in French waters. Japanese and British protested the refueling as it violated international neutrality. But since there were no French ships around, Rozhestvensky ordered his men and German colliers to load the coal. In 29 brutal hours, the entire fleet was loaded. Wake witnessed the Russian sailors’ courage and strength for combat. He now respected the Russian navy.
29. The King, the Pygmy, and the Correspondent. Near Libreville, French Gabon, 26-November-1904. The French colonial governor prohibited the Russians to enter Gabon and its waters. The Fleet anchored 3 miles away, and the German colliers loaded the Fleet there. Wake saw a Pygmy chanting. The chant said he had a death face, and would die at the hands of a foreigner. Wake soon met an impostor with a German accent. Rork and Law blocked him reaching for his gun.
30. Portuguese Bravery. Great Fish Bay, Portuguese Angola, 6-December-1904. The colliers would begin coaling in an hour. But LT Silva Nogueira, commanding officer of the tiny Portuguese navy river gunboat Limpopo said they must leave as Portugal is neutral. Rozhestvensky denied being anchored in Portuguese territory, at over 3 miles from shore. Nogueira said he would be compelled to expel them by force! The Russian crew laughed. In jest, Rozhestvensky said he looked forward to the attack.
31. Teutonic Africa. Angra Pequena (Luderitz), German South West Africa, 11-December-1904. The Russians received sobering war news. A German artillery lieutenant spotted Wake, and their eyes locked. Rozhestvensky tried to pry from Wake his story with the German foe, and Wake truthfully said it was 15 years ago in Samoa. Rozhestvensky told Wake the route would change having enough coal. The Fleet would go past British spies at Cape Town and Japanese torpedo schooners at Durban.
32. Stunned Silence. St. Marie Island, French Madagascar, 29-December-1904. Wake, Rork, Law, and CDR Vladimir Semenov celebrated Christmas together aboard Suvorov. The first verse of the Sailor’s Hymn was enunciated by Wake. Two German colliers were loading coal via boats. St. Petersburg ordered VADM Rozhestvensky to head for Nosy Be where RADM Fölkersam’s squadron was. Sobering news of Russia’s loss at Port Arthur, Manchuria and Russian prisoners stunned the crew to silence.
33. Our Descent into Hell-Ville. Hell-Ville, Nosy Be Island, French Madagascar, 9-January-1905. January 7^th was Russian Orthodox Christmas. On board flagship Suvorov, Rozhestvensky gave a moving speech. To the sailors, Rozhestvensky was Russia. But when they reached Hell-Ville, the place abounded with prostitutes all over Fölkersam’s sailors on liberty. Wake believed Rozhestvensky would put an end to this breakdown of discipline. Wake sent a telegram to Roosevelt saying it was useless to stay.
34. Carpe Diem. Hell-Ville, Nosy Be Island, French Madagascar, 14-January-1905. Rork, Law, and Wake walked the beach in search of a businessman that would grant passage via a schooner to Mauritius where they would catch a steamer to Singapore. Wake wanted to leave in 4 days, but the ship handler, Allard Martin, said the 900-mile voyage would be very rough as it was the cyclone season. Wake bargained and Martin unhappily agreed. They would set sail for Mauritius in 2 weeks.
35. Bad News. Hell-Ville, Nosy Be Island, French Madagascar, 25-January-1905. Ballin’s colliers of Hamburg-America Line did not arrive due to cancellation of insurance for war risk. It released colliers for Nosy Be but the price went up. RADM Nikolai Nebogatov’s first contingent will arrive in Djibouti in late February; the second in Nosy Be in early March. Fölkersam’s ships will be ready by mid-February. Rozhestvensky will be stuck in Hell-Ville until April. RADM Fölkersam’s illness worsened.
36. Proshchay, Moy Drug! . Hell-Ville, Nosy Be Island, French Madagascar, 30-January-1905. It was time to say goodbye and Rozhestvensky knew it. He, Wake, Semenov and the crew had become friends and it was a bittersweet goodbye. Wake tried to urge Rozhestvensky to take his fleet home and save their lives, but it would be against the orders of the Tsar which was for him to remain until the Baltic ships arrived, do battle, and get to Vladivostok. The Yanks would now be Smith, Jones, and Murphy.
37. Trade Winds on the Nose. Southern Indian Ocean, 31-January-1905 to 17-February-1905. Smith, Jones, and Murphy walked to the bar to meet up with Martin. The captain of the pathetic schooner Denise would be Morisseau. The schooner was dirty and smelled awful, amidst the most deadly trade winds, with no letting up. Wake and Law, Rork and Morriseau partnered in throwing out water from the schooner. Everyone but Morisseau was sick and exhausted by the boat trip.
38. Smugglers? Noire Bay, Mauritius Island, 17-February-1905. They were in Mauritius and Martin demanded the balance. Wake gave it but Martin demanded 10 more coins. Rork struck him and he fell. As the three walked on, they were stopped by Inspector James Green of the Constabulary. Wake explained they were RADM Peter Wake USN, Capt Edwin Law USMC, and Chief Sean Rork USN. They were stripped and their bags inspected. A uniform surfaced proving Wake was an admiral.
39. A Day Late, in the Middle of Nowhere. Government House, Port Louis, Mauritius Crown Colony, 18-February-1905. Sir Charles Cavendish Boyle, Governor of Mauritius welcomed the Yanks. Unfortunately, the ship to Singapore had sailed a day ago and would be back in a month when the cyclone season ends. And so they waited in comfortable opulence, incommunicado with the rest of the world. As far as Maria and Roosevelt knew, the 3 Yanks were last seen in a brothel bar in Hell-Ville.
40. Drinking Rum in a Whisky Bar. Raffles Hotel, Singapore, Straits Settlements Crown Colony, 6-April-1905. Wake, Rork and Law boarded the steamer Clotilda to Singapore. Consul James Hustwayte paid their expenses to be reimbursed by navy voucher. The Russian army was losing ground in Manchuria, and was defeated at Sandepu with 12000 killed. They lost the Mukden rail junction in a battle with 88000 killed. The Russian revolution halted commerce and transport.
41. The Brethren. Singapore, Straits Settlements Crown Colony, 7-April-1905. Davit Kasabian sat down at Wake’s table and said, “I see you have traveled to the East.” Wake replied to the Mason, “I have traveled to the East. I am now traveling to the West.” Traveling to the East meant seeking knowledge; Traveling to the West meant spreading the knowledge. He said a dinner invitation from Gov. Anderson will be sent to Wake’s room, and German Officer Gerhard Weber asked about Wake.
42. Amazed and Dismayed. Singapore, Straits Settlements Crown Colony, 8-April-1905. The Russian Fleet were fast approaching Singapore. Rozhestvensky got through the Malacca Straits undetected, and would soon be in South China Sea. Roosevelt sent a cable. It said Wake was to rejoin the Russian Fleet if they stop at Singapore or Saigon. Roosevelt asked for a detailed eyewitness assessment of Japanese tactics, ships, commanders, and Japanese plans in Asia and Philippines.
43. The Bear, the Lion, and the Black Dragon. Singapore, Straits Settlements Crown Colony, 8-April-1905. Davit Kasabian warned them to leave Singapore ASAP. A French freighter was leaving pre-dawn for Saigon. The 3 Yanks must carry their bags through the back stairs and not check out. Yoshida’s Black Dragon bribed the doorman to let a girl enter Wake’s room in the morning. German officer Gerhard Weber called Berlin saying Wake will be picked up by cab and killed by gangsters en route.
44. Pulling Rank. Saigon, French Indochina Protectorate, 12-April-1905. Their little French steamer, Emma Louise, arrived at Saigon at noon on 12-April. No Russian Fleet present, only the cruiser Diana, CDR Vladimir Semenov’s old ship. Wake tried to get Rozhestvensky’s location but the Russian crew would not tell him. So Wake pulled rank and said he was authorized by the Tsar to join the Russian Fleet with approval from President Roosevelt. He asked to be taken to Rozhestvensky within an hour.
45. Déjà vu and a Warning. Cam Ranh Bay, Annam, French Indochina Protectorate, 15-April-1905. RADM Pierre de Jonquières, Commander of Indochina naval squadron, was worried as soon as the Russo-Japanese war was over, the Japanese would attack French Indonesia next with the help of Siam, after which they will go after the American Philippines. He said the Black Dragons are insidious and named after Russian’s Amur River, which is Black Dragon in Chinese.
46. Waiting for Unwanted Help. Van Phong, Annnam, French Indochina Protectorate, 14-May-1905. RADM Jonquières told Rozhestvensky Russian ships had to leave Cam Ranh Bay. Rozhestvensky complied but moved to Van Phong Bay. The Saigon Governor ordered them to leave. Rozhestvensky complied then returned to an empty Van Phong Bay. RADM Nikolai Nebogatov passed Singapore, were headed his way, and they met closed-door. The fleet headed for Japan on May 14.
47. Peering into the Rain and Mist. East China Sea, 19 to 26-May-1905. The new mission was to evade the enemy and get to Vladivostok where the modern ships could be used for raiding in the Sea of Japan. A major problem was Vladivostok did not have enough food or medicine for 10,000 men, nor fuel, supplies, or ship repair facilities. 7 Japanese were picked up by Suvorov. On May 26, everyone was called to battle stations. The fleet was to enter the eastern side of Tsushima Straits.
48. Fate Arrives. Tsushima Straits, 27-May-1905. The Russians were surrounded. Rozhestvensky gave all officers and crew some vodka. He ordered the fleet to form a single line, speed up to 11 knots, and steer course N-NE to Vladivostok, 500 miles north. His demeanor was deliberately calm, calculating, polite –personalities do change in combat. But two parallel lines resulted. Japanese cruisers withdrew, but Togo’s fleet appeared.
49. Crossing the “T.” Tsushima Straits, 27-May-1905. The Crossing of the T is a classic naval tactic. The Russians were the vertical part. The Japanese were the horizontal part, which meant all of their guns on their port side would bear on the Russian’s lead ships, but only the few forward main guns could fire on the Japanese ships. Several rounds hit the port side. Wake shouted, “Zinovy, this fleet needs your decision. Get in the armored conning tower. NOW, my friend.”
50. The Tower. Tsushima Straits, 27-May-1905. The hope of all Russia, stood tall, spoke firmly, showing no fear. He would never surrender. He went up the tower and took Wake with him. There he felt all the constant shelling. The Suvorov was on fire. There was smoke everywhere, and it was hard to see what was going on. The tower was being bombarded and Rozhestvensky was hit on the head and legs. Wake brought him down the ladder way. Rork’s trousers were in shreds and bloodied by shrapnel.
51. Blood and Smoke. Tsushima Straits, 27-May-1905. The entire Suvorov was wrecked but still moving starboard away from Japan. Alexander was now leading the fleet. Suvorov’s lone functioning 6-inch gun and a few remaining light guns, shot back at the enemy cruisers, more of defiance than defense. There was no talk of surrender. Bombardment from the Japanese torpedo boats caused the stern to explode. The torpedo boats pulled back but the Japanese cruisers came in and resumed firing.
52. Nyet! Tsushima Straits, 27-May-1905. CDR Vladimir Semenov was hit and his leg barely moved. Semenov said he had to take the admiral to another ship, and that Wake and his men must come too as the admiral will insist. He had Rozhestvensky. Semenov shouted to Wake’s team to jump on board. But they had to get their duffle bags with their armor. Then the torpedo boat engines suddenly rumbled and began moving away. Wake screamed “Nyet!” as loud as he could but nobody heard him.

PART 3. MOTHER RUSSIA

53. Back to Reality. Tsushima Straits, 27-May-1905. The 3 Yanks saw the Japanese torpedo boat squadron coming right at them. Torpedoes were firing at close range. Explosions rippled along Suvorov’s port side. Suvorov began to roll over to port, disappearing in steam and air bubbles. Only the glow of Suvorov lighted the dark night. Rork found LT Sergei Dyvoryanin afloat and their duffle bags as well. Sergei said all ships were gone.
54. Sea of Japan, 28-May-1905. Sergei said there were Russian torpedo boats to the east. No one could stand so they knelt and waved shirts and a Russian navy flag. Wake fired his gun every 20 seconds. The skipper put them on board Izumrud and sped off NE. RADM Nebogatov now in command heading south, hoisted the XGE surrender signal, and other ships followed. But Fersen, Captain of Izumrud, would head straight to Vladivostok as Rozhestvensky ordered, in full speed.
55. Vladimir Bay, Russia. 30-May-1905. Izumrud used too much coal during the battle and escape. CAPT Fersen changed his mind about Vladivostok as the enemy may have invaded. He needed a bay where he could arrange for coaling. Fersen told Wake to be at Vladivostok with Sergei. 60 tons of coal was left. Vladimir Bay was best. But under thick fog, Fersen lodged Izumrud between two boulders, the ship would be visible to the enemy. Fersen would rather blow up his ship than give up.
56. Expensive Vodka from Grimy Glasses. Vladivostok, Russia, 2-June-1905. Vladivostok was ravaged by riots and vandals. The danger came from Chinese bandits and Russian revolutionary insurgents. Rozhestvensky and Semenov were recovering from their wounds as POWs in Japan, against Rozhestvensky’s orders as he lay semi-conscious. Sergei and Wake took Rork and Law to the hospital but it was full. So Wake took them to a hotel with an attendant doctor. It was time for vodka, even in grimy glasses.
57. The Straightforward Russian Method. Vladivostok, Russia, 3-June-1905. They had to leave, but there were no neutral ships. This meant the only option was via Trans-Siberian Railway, which carried sick and wounded soldiers. Sergei bribed a clerk at naval HQ to provide him the proper forms for each of them. Sergei filled them out in Russian Cyrillic, invented an admiral’s name, and scrawled the approval signature on each form. With more gold coins, the guards did not look at the transit passes.
58. The Long Thin Ribbon of Iron. Manchuria, Russia, June 1905. The train that Wake, Rork, Law and Sergei boarded frequently stopped until it stopped completely because the conductor said the rails ahead were damaged. So the 3 Americans took one Russian soldier each and helped them walk the quarter mile to the next train. A strong bond formed with the Russian soldiers. They were amazed the wounded Americans helped them walk. They tipped their hats and said, “Your honor.”
59. The Siberian Sea. Siberia, Russia, June 19015. The Real ruler of Chita, Chairman of the Soviet Workers, Soldiers, and Cossacks, Victor Kurnatovsky, proclaimed to the soldiers he was personally guaranteeing all would be expedited homeward because they were the true heroes of Russia and the world. A rousing roar of approval came from everyone. The train steamed west and in 24 hours arrived in Irkutsk, near the shores of the Siberian Sea, a giant freshwater lake called Baikal in the middle of Siberia.
60. The Invitation. Irkutsk, Siberia, Russia, June 1905. The Americans and Sergei received an invitation from Igor Ivanovich Kaminsky, Okhrana Chief at Baikal, to stay at the Palace. Kaminsky spoke in Russian with Sergei, and Wake understood the word for spy and knew what Okhrana meant. The Americans felt this was a trap and would rather stay on the train. When Wake asked to send a telegram, Kaminsky said the telegraph broke in the storm. Since Kaminsky would also be unable to cable, they agreed to stay at the Palace.
61. Siberia, Russia, June 1905. From Irkutsk, their train steamed continuously westbound across the Siberian Steppe. Revolts were across Euro-Russia. The Americans must be far away from Okhrana. Rork said, “when faced with danger on land, sailors head for the sea.” The nearest water was southwest to the Black Sea. The major port was Sevastopol, Crimea. The Americans could head for Istanbul then Britain and home. From Sevastopol, Sergei could head home.
62. Doing What Needs to be Done. Nearing Samara, European Russia, 21-June-1905. Rork woke up Wake, Law, and Sergei. He smelled gangrene. He said the soldier, Yuri, needed to have his arm cut otherwise he would die. The three Americans got a load of vodka to intoxicate Yuri from the pain, and to sterilize the blade. Boiling water was also needed to cauterize the veins. The surgery was successfully executed. The Russian onlookers prayed for Yuri and thanked the Americans. Sergei was in tears.
63. Don’t Overreact. Samara, Russia. 21-June-1905. Gunshots brought Americans down on the floor and drew their pistols. Three cavalrymen entered the train and spotted the foreigners. As the hand of the biggest cavalryman reared back to hit Wake, three 44 caliber shots from Wake’s gun blew up his face. Sergei’s pistol was on the other two men’s faces. They surrendered. Law took their revolvers. More cavalrymen were approaching on horseback. The Americans escaped toward the Volga riverbank.
64. Volga and Don. Southern Russia, 22-June-1905. The swift Volga current got them to Tsaritsyn. Russia was still seething but Tsaritsyn was peaceful. Sergei asked a wagoner to take them to Kalach with his sunflower seed load. At Kalach, LT Sergei secured passage on a riverboat heading downriver to Rostov at the mouth of Don River. They booked passage on an 11-meter sloop to steer south of Azov Sea to the Black Sea; then west to Odessa. Astern, the Big Dipper –the Big Bear was finally behind them.
65. Approaching Odessa, Russia. 27-June-1905.There was an odd darkness in the sky over Odessa, having lost electricity and taken by the anarchists. Soon came a thundering roar of steam turbine engines getting louder, and was heading their way at a speed intending to hit their boat at the rear, and sink it. Woke fell on the water, thinking he was back on Tsushima with the thought of death. But the Russian torpedo boat Ismail came to his rescue. Too weak, Wake was pulled into the ship.
66. Battleship Potemkin, Tendra Spit, Russia, 27-June-1905. On board Ismail, Wake found Rork, Law, and Sergei. Ismail was tied to the large warship, Potemkin. Rork smelled a whiff of gangrene but it was rotten meat oozing with maggots. LT Sergei was respected by the Executive Officer Ippolit Giliarovsky once he gave his full name. LT Misha came on board and hugged Sergei saying Odessa was overrun by revolutionaries, shutting down all power, water, and trains. Some were on board Potemkin.
67. Battleship Potemkin, Tendra Spit, Russia, 27-June-1905. Wake awoke to a raucous because bad meat was mixed into the Borscht. Sergei signaled the Americans to leave but a mob of sailors with rifles came in. As the Americans backed away from the hatchway, one shouted a threat, and the rest of the Russians turned toward the Americans. LT Sergei tried to speak to them but the leader spit, and lunged at him. Two shots from Law’s revolver went into the man’s chest, and he fell on deck.
68. Invoking Tsushima and Rozhestvensky. Battleship Potemkin, Tendra Spit, Russia, 27-June-1905. Rork and Wake drew their guns. Sergei ordered the mob to stand aside or die. They backed away. The Americans went down the ladder to another boat. The mob outside was about to shoot them but Sergei pointed that the Americans were with Rozhestvensky at Tsushima. Their admiral was the singular officer they respected. Dumped overboard were Ippolit Giliarovsky and a pot of borscht.
69. Broad Reaching. Black Sea, 27-June-1905. There was a sailing rig, spars and canvas for a mainsail and jib sail stowed under the thwarts. A rudder and tiller were under the stern sheets. Rork and Law got the rig up and working. Wake decided to sail to Constanta. Without a compass, Woke instructed them to steer downwind and it would take them to Romania. The boat was doing 6-8 knots with the wind on the port quarter. Sergei looked back at Potemkin in tears. The officers were killed.
70. Expedited and Incognito. Constanta, Romania, 30-June-1905. They reached Constanta in 3 days. The Constanta port captain recommended Hotel Cherica. The Americans and Sergei asked to be taken to their Consulate. At the American Consulate, Wake asked Granthill to set up the fastest rail trip to London speeded by American embassies. The German consul’s driver asked Granthill’s driver about Wake. The port captain may have told the Germans. It was a sad goodbye to Sergei in Bucharest.
71. Further Instructions. Savoy Hotel on the Strand, London, Great Britain, 18-July-1905. Wake received a cable from Roosevelt expressing relief they were alive, confirmed Maria was arriving at Liverpool on the 17^th then an overnight express train to London, and another cable with further instructions upon checking in at Savoy Hotel in London. They were to take the train north to Portsmouth Naval Station in New Hampshire. Wake would receive a letter with highly secret instructions.
72. Breakfast in Bed. Savoy Hotel on the Strand, London, Great Britain, 19-July-1905. Maria brought all the good news about Wake’s family. His 5 year old daughter is now living with Maria and they get along well. Maria told Wake that the whole time Wake was away, Theodore and Edith Roosevelt took her to dinner quite often. Maria now had a totally different view of TR. He is not the callous person she thought he was, and Edit took good care of Maria. She handed Wake a letter from TR.
73. The Letter. Savoy Hotel on the Strand, London, Great Britain, 19-July-1905. In TR’s letter to Wake, he was to head for Portsmouth Naval Station. The rooms would be at Hotel Wentworth, likewise for the Russo-Japanese negotiating parties. Official talks will be held at the naval station but work will be done in the evenings at the hotel. Wake is to send daily coded cable briefs. Wake is also to brief TR in person on Japan’s naval capabilities and tactics at Tsushima, and the negotiators.

PART 4. THE WAGES OF PEACE

74. Night Work. Hotel Wentworth. New Castle, New Hampshire, August 1905. Finance Minister Sergei Yulyevich Witte could spot a spy a mile away. Maria had the charm and guile to penetrate his armor. Witte spoke only French and Russian, and some German. Maria spoke French perfectly. Maria struck a conversation with Witte on the veranda and by the 3rd glass of Hennessey, they were sharing stories of their children. Wake wished Witte luck in ending the war and saving more lives.
75. Code of Honor. Hotel Wentworth. New Castle, New Hampshire, 28-August-1905. Why should Russia give so much reparations, and Sakhalin, when Japan started the war! It would be against their Code of Honor. Wake replied cautiously, telling Witte to give them money for the prisoners of war and divide Sakhalin in the 50^th degree Latitude, the north to Russia, the south to Japan. It neither violates Russia’s Code of Honor, nor Japan’s. Witte agreed. Komura said Japan desired peace. The treaty was signed in a week. The Russo-Japanese War was over.
76. The Wages of Peace. Family Dining Room, White House, Washington DC, 3-January-1907. The Russian ambassador to the U.S., Baron Roman Rosen handed a note to Wake from Rachkovsky saying that MGEN Sonnenblume had died, and he was responsible for the attempts on Wake and that Rachkovsky made him join the Russian fleet to help him flee from the Germans. Wake did not believe this. They were at dinner to honor Pres. TR with the Nobel Peace Prize and a check for $38,500. Pres. TR intimated that the funds would go towards setting up a permanent industrial peace committee.
77. Nobody Does it Better. Family Dining Room, White House, Washington DC, 3-January-1907. Ambassador Baron Rosen conveyed the Great Tsar Nicholas II’s sincere appreciation for all that was done to secure a just peace, and secondly to announce an award to RADM Peter Wake, as recommended by Prince Sergei Alexievich Constantinovich Dyvoryanin Romanov to Tsar Nicholas II, for saving the life of Russian sailors, among them Prince Sergei, at the Battle of Tsushima; for saving the life of a Russian soldier by performing a delicate surgery while on a train crossing Siberia; and for repeatedly proving by his skill and courage that he is a true friend of all Russians and their beloved Tsar. Rear Admiral Peter Wake was presented the highest imperial award of Russia normally given only to Russians, the exalted Order of Saint George. Then Pres. TR handed Wake a box and in it was a sword. He declared, “I present this sword to a U.S. naval officer and gentleman, who knows not only how to use it but also when to use it.” The room was filled with the sound of applause. Pres. TR quietly said to Wake, “The war never would’ve ended, and I never would’ve been awarded that Nobel Peace Prize, if it hadn’t been for your incredible abilities and perseverance, Peter. Thank you for all you did out there around the world, and then up at Portsmouth. Nobody does it better.”

RECOMMENDATION. The book Code of Honor – A novel about RADM Peter Wake USN, during the 1904-05 Russo-Japanese War, authored by Robert N. Macomber, and published by USNI is a gripping story about intelligence work by a trio of U.S. Navy and Marine officers set during the historical Russo-Japanese War in 1904-05. Three Americans journey on board the Russian Fleet flagship, Suvorov, commanded by VADM Zinovy Petrovich Rozhestvensky, the beloved and only hope of Russia. It opens the mind of the readers to both the necessity and the deadly perils of espionage on land and at sea. Although clandestine missions may come with the thrill and exuberance of winning, it may also beget instant death once your role is detected. Survival is a matter of having the loyal and trusted people around to warn you at the right moment, with enough time to escape. It would be truly difficult to put this book down.