The herald., 1894-08-12
THE COMBAT DEEPENS
A Great Naval Battle in
the Orient.
Japanese Assault on Wei Hal
Wei HarbOr.
Assailants Repeatedly Repulsed by
the Chinese.
The Powerful Chinese Pei Yang Fleet
Drawn Into the Engagemsnts
Ono OF the Hardest Fights
on Record.
BY the Associated Press.

SHANGHAI, Aug. 11.-A dispatch from
Chez Foo says the Japanese attacked
Fort Hamilton port Arthur) yesterday
evening and were repulsed. A special
dispatch from Chez Foo confirms the
report that the Japanese feet attacked
the Chinese fleet at Wei Hei Woi yester-
day morning and were repulsed at one
entrance to the harbor, and subsequent
" attacked at the other entrance. Ihe
dispatch says the Japanese made . dar-
ing attempt to capture the forts ana ar
senal at Wei Hal Woy. They attacked
in force, four cruisers and some smaller
vessels holding the advance. The first
shots were exchanged at daylight, but
the Chinese were on the alert, and their
gunnsrs returned vigorous fire from
the forts. The Japanese apparently
expected to take the Chinese by sur
prise, while the latter's warships were
away, the Chinese squadron, with the
exception OF some small gunboats and
torpedo boat, having sailed the day be.
fore for another port. The gunboat az
the fort kept up such q well.directed
| fire that the Japanese were unable to
| enter the harbor. The Chinese torpedo
boats were then ordered to advance, and
when they did 80 the Japanese hees re-
tired, The same feet of the Japanese
attacked the bsrbor entrance later In
the day, The result was not known
when this dispatch was sent.
New YORK, Aug. 11.-ShanRhai dis
patches received here say the second at
tempt OF the Japanese feet upon Wal
Hal Wal has been defested.
Another dispatch says the Pei Yang
fleet IL engaged with the Japanese heet
and a stubborn battle is being fought.
Twenty-one chips are taking part.
by Admiral Ting, who is reported to be
an excellent naval officer. According
to recent advcea received here from
Shanghai the Pei Yang squadron in
cluded the Ling Yuen, flag ship; the
Chen Yuen, since reported to have been
sunk; the Tsi Yuen, King Yuen, Lai
Yuen, Chai Yuen, Yam Wal and Chin
Tuen.
The Ling Yuen and Chin Yuen were
until recently the most powerful vessels
in the east, tho British flagship at pres
ent alone surprising them. They we're
built at Stettin in 1882, and are 7400 tons
displacement and 5000 horse power,
equal to O epeed of IA knots, with GEN.
tral armored belt of IA inches.
Their armament consists OF four H..
inch Krupp guns in twin mounting, en-
barbette, with IL inches OF srmor pro-
lection. The steel projectiles weigh 745
pounds, and the charge of powder is 202
pounds of slow burning cocoa; their
perforating power at the muzzle is 2012
inches of armor. In addition they carry
two S.inCh Krupp guns, one in the bow
and one at the stern, with ll-inch per-
forating power.
They also carry three torpedo tubes
and many machine guns on deck and in
the tops.
The Ling Yuen's commander is Cap
tain Lew and the commander OF the
Chin Yuen is Captain Lin, both ex-
perienced and trained officera who have
served under Admiral Tracy of the
British navy in training ships, and more
lately under Captain Lang. There are
about $50 men as the number OF each Of
these ship's compliments.
The Tsi Yuen is classed as torpedo
cruiser. She was built at Stettin in
1888, but her speed is said to be barely
Is knots. She carries two powerful S.24.
inch guns forward, with muzzle per-
forating power OF 1914; one 15.centime-
tre Krupp and four torpedo tubes. The
commander of the Tsi Yuen is Captain
Fong, described as resolute and able
man who has received his naval train
ing abroad.
The King Yuen and La Yuen are
belted 9.5-inch Kruppsrs, built At
Stettin in 1882. They are 1000 tons dis
placement, have speed of 16 knots
and armed with two 2l-centimeter
Kruppers en- barbstte forward two 30
centimetre Kruppers, being broadside,
and two torpedo tubes. The command.
ers of the King Yuen and Lai Yuen
are respectively Captain Len and Cap
tain Ksuw, both of whom had some
training in the British navy.
The Chaon Yuen and Yang Wei are
the we'll known Elawick cruisers. They
carry two 25-ton Armstrong guns and
have a speed of about IA knots. Captsin
Wong commands the Chaon Yuen and
Captain Lin Is in command OF the Yang
Wei.
The Chen Yuen and Ching Yuen are
Eswick built boats OF 2300 tons of pro-
tective steel decks and speed OF Is
knots. These vessels carry three 21.0l
centimetre Kruppsrs, two forward on q
platform and one aft, and two 6.incb
Armstrong guns. In addition they each
have four torpedo tubes. Captain Tang
ie in com maud of the Chen Yuen and
Captain Yeh is in command of the
Ching Yuen. Both these commanders
are described as competent men, espe-
cially the latter.
These nine men-of-war, comprising
the Pie Yang squadron. represent
force OF about $500 men. The officers
and men OF the Pie Yang squadron re-
ccived much careful training. The
course of training for the Chinese sail
ors was laid down by Captain Lang and
they have all passed through the hands
OF Lieutenant Bourchier. r. N. NJ, who
had charge of the recruiting and gun
merry departments on shore at Wei Pie
Wei.
In torpedo training, both at the shore
school and afloat, the Chinese seaman
were under Britieh instructor, and it ia