April 13th, 1904, Major General Makarov's 36th day as the commander of the Pacific Squadron.
In this month, Major General Makarov had managed the Pacific Squadron well, carrying out numerous mine-laying missions, effectively blocking the Island Nation's transportation lines to the Korean Peninsula and the Far East, and reducing the pressure on the main force of the Pacific Squadron stationed at Port Arthur.
This day was an ordinary day for the Pacific Squadron. Under Major General Makarov's command, two cruisers set out from Port Arthur Port to harass the transportation lines of the Island Nation; after laying mines in a designated area, they successfully returned to Port Arthur.
This pleased General Makarov because the minefield laid by the two cruisers was exactly where he planned to engage in a decisive battle with the Island Royal Navy.