"Akitsushima" was sent to Shanghai on 18 February 1904 under the command of Commander Yamaya Tanin, together with the cruiser , to force the disarmament of the , under the international norms for neutrality, accomplishing its mission by 31 March. "Akitsushima" then joined the blockade of Port Arthur. She assisted in the rescue of survivors from the battleship which had struck a naval mine on 15 May 1904, and also rescued survivors of the gunboat which sank on 16 May after colliding with the cruiser .