Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-19
MANY VESSELS SUNK
Desperate Encounter Between the
Chinese and Japanese.
VICTORY CLAIMED BY BOTH Sides
The Former Wefe~sTaking Reir-
forcements to Corea.
Urrff
IGHT~OFF YALU RIVER

SHANGHAI. China. September 19-Dis-
patches received here from Corea announce
that the first battle between modern ships
of war has taken place on the Yalu river,
sides claim victory.
The Chinese. 1t appears. were covering
the landing of large force of troops des-
tined to reinforce the Chinese army operat-
ing against the japanese in Corea Ac-
cording to one account, the Chinese sue
ceeded in landing the troops. but In an en-
gagement which followed with the Japanese
feet the Chin-fucn, or Chen-Yuen, Of the
Chinese fleet was sunk. and the Chag- -Yung
and the Yang-Wei are reported to have
,een run ashore.
One other Chinese warship and three
japanese ships are also said to have been
lost
Admiral Ting, the commander of the
Shinese northern fleet, and Col Won Han
aeckin, formerly aide-de-camp to Viceroy
Il Hung Chang, were reported killed during
the enga cement.
Col. Won Hanneckin will be remembered
the transport kow-Siing when she was
sunk by a japanese cruiser, with the loss
OF about one thousand men.
Another report says that the japanese
Chlnese troops, and, therefore the JAPAN
ese claim a victory. 1t Is added however.
tnat the japanese lost four warships and
that the japanese fleet was compelled 10
retreat, after having suffered heavy loss In
killed and wounded
The Chinese feet. it is also said, has re-
turned to Wei-Hai-Wai.
Inc second report says that Admiral Ting
end Col. Won Hanneckin were NOT tiliaS
out IT Is said that they were severely
wounded.
Details of the Fight.
LONDON, September 19.-The British
consul at Tien-Tsin. In a dispatch to the
foreign office. confirms the reports Of a
battle between the fleets of China and
Japan of the mouth of the Yalu river.
Dispatches received this morning from
Shanghai confirm the report of a severe hat
Tie Fought OF the Yalu river between fleets
OF chinese and Japanese. These dispatches
aiso agree IN saying that the Chinese ships
were escortlng troops bound for Corea
Inc pattle, IL appears, was fought on the
cay at the mouth of the Yalu river The
Chinese troops were the second army CORPS.
composed entirely of Huanese
Accordins TO the Chinese version, there
was no thought of surrender on either side
Inc snipS or both nations 1t is admitted
we're terribly damaged The japanese had
the advantage of the weather berth, and SO
maneuyered that both the Chinese war shins
and transports had to hight it out.
Ihe Chln- Iuen, these dispatches say after
fighting her guns to the last. was sunk bv
torpedoes. and a smaller Chinese vessel,
Vnch was unarmed, was blown up
The steel cruiser Chao-Yung. il is added
was SO damaged that she had to be beached
TO escape capture.
The cruiser YangWei was also driven
asnore' ana mas become a hopeless wreck
Inc Chinese claim that three Japanese
war ships were sunk; their names are nor
given in these dispatches.
Inc news Of the naval battle has created
excitement nd fS ie, Ill.
u the Chinese admit this much the actual
facts must be very serious
Another dispatch from Shanghai saws tina.
Sne Chlnese war ship sunk was the Chi
aueh, although 1t Is believed that a mistake
mas been made. and that the important
Shnese warship sunk by torpedoes is the
Dattieship Chen-Yuen. the flagship of the
Admiral Ting. ~
Further dispatches from Shanghai an
nounce that the entire northern feet of
lima lima was engaged. reinforced by some
ships of the Foo Chow Squadron The
chinese are said to have been hammered
py want Of room to maneuver Tine mum
DER OF japanese WarshipS engaged Is not
stated, and as many of their vessels were
stationed off the Hing-Yang inlet at the
mouth OF the Ta-Tong river, their number
IN tne Gulf OF Corea was probably small.
II Is now said that the sinking of the
Chinese warships Chao-Yung and Yang-Wei
were on hre when they were beached
Reported LOSS of Many Troops.
Inc Shanghai advices say that it is sig
ni1cant that the two or three Chinese
transports which were conveyed by the
warships of China have not returned and
1t Is rumored that they were all blown
up, with loss of all hands on board.
From Chinese admissions it is gathered
that the losses on both sides in the naval
engagement will reach several thousand.
A dispatch to the Times from Tien-Tsin
says that the hostile fleets met yester-
day ct the mouth of the Yalu river, where
the Chinese fleet was covering the dis
embarkation of troops.
Continuing, the Times says: Dispatches
state that the Japanese fleet commenced
the attack at noon and the battle lasted
until pm, The Chinese lost four ships.
The Chen-Yuen was sunk; the King-Yuen
was burned. and the Chao-Yung and the
Yang-Wei were stranded and partly burned.
The Chi-Yuen. the Chinese vessel which
was engaged in the fight of July q. escaped
and II is presumed that she is safe"
The dispatch to the Times also agrees In
saying that the SSfatiese are supposed to
have lo5t three ships, and it adds that
many Chinese were killed and wounded.
emong the latter being Admiral Ting Col
Won Hanrekin and Capt Tyler. the two lat
ter being volunteers.
Landed the Troops.
The Times correspondent confirms the
statement that the Chinese were successful
III ldnulnS Tue uOOpS, W DIS tHe OBJECT
of the fleets presence at the mouth of the
Yalu river.
First Grent Modern Naval Fight.
The Westminster Gazette this afternoon
says, referring to the naval battle off the
Yalu river:
III the news is accurate. We have the
first great battle at sea ever fought under
really modern conditions 1t certainly bears
out the anticipation that any such engage
ment would prove disastrous to both parties.
The Japanese undoubtedly served their
purpose if they have prevented the Chinese
troops from landing.
If such serious losses are admitted at
Shanghai. il may fairly be concluded that
the japanese got the best of the battle all
around.
THE Japanese, we were told the other
day, were careful students of Capt. Mahan
(of the United States navy, and they have
apparently studied to some purpose ard are
verifying his theories to sea power
at all points 1t Is their command of the
sea which has enabled them to gain the
lar W