The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-09-21
FIVE SUNK OR BURNED
Engagement at Short Range, in
Which the Japs Came Out Best.
None of their Vessels Seriously DAM
aged, According to Official Reports
from TOkiO-Losses at Ping Yang.

dispatches who have arrived here and later
messages from Port Arthur a full narra-
tive of the naval battle of Yalu is OBJ
tainable. Admiral Ting, commander of the
Chinese northern squadron, was instructed
by the council of war here to convoy six
transports and to land the troops, guns and
stores at Yo Chow, from which base China
intended TO renew operations in Corea. The
battle ships Ting-Yuen, Chen-Yuen, King
Yuen, Ping-Yuen and Lai-Yuen and the
cruisers Tsi-Yuen. Chih-Yuen, Ching-Yuen,
Tshao-Yong, Yang-Wai. Kuang-Ki and
Kuang-Ping, together with four torpedo
boats, escorted the transports. They ar
rived at the entrance to the Yalu river
early Monday morning and the disembarka-
ton proceeded rapidly, the transports
steaming into the river, while the war ships
anchored outside.
At IL o'clock smoke the horizon indi-
Gated the approach of large fiotilla. The
situation was grasped Immediately, and Ad-
mral Ting gave orders for the weighing
of anchors and the placing of the ships in
battle array. His position was difficult
one. If he remained near the shore his
movements would be cramped, and IL he
steamed out for sea room he ran the risk
of a Japanese cruiser or torpedo boat run
ming in among his transports. He chose
the lesser of two evils and formed fight
ing line to guard the estuary in single col
umn. In the following order, from port to
starboard: Yang-Wa, Chih-Yuen. Tsi-Yuen,
King-Yuen, Ting-Yuen, Lai-Yuen, Chen
Yuen, Ping-Yuen, Ching-Yuen and Tshao-
Yuen. AS a second fighting line and to meet
any japanese ship which might succeed in
forcing the fighting line, the KuangK and
Kuang-Ping with four torpedo boats, were
stationed at the mouth of the river.
The Japanese fleet approached at full
speed until within range. Then they ad-
vanced in columns, forming into two lines.
Nine iron-clads and cruisers formed the
fighting line, while three gunboats and five
torpedo boats formed the second line. Fir
ing commenced forthwith. The guns on
both sides were worked increasingly at
long range and the hits were frequent.
The Japanese crept gradually closer and
the gunners made better practice. The
Ting-Yuen was the first to suffer, a shell
bursting in her battery. From the outset
the Japanese directed a powerful fire upon
the Chinese battle-ships Chen-Yuen and
Ting-Yuen. For ninety minutes terrific
cannonade continued. The result was that
one Japanese cruiser, reported to nave
been the Sailxio was placed out of action.
One Chinese officer declared that he saw
her sink
BIG GUNS DISABLED.
In the meantime the two big guns on
the Chen-Yuen were disabled and the
other ships showed signs of damage Both
fleets were under easy steam the Japanese
maneuverins continually, while the Chinese
held their originl position. Suddenly two
of the Japanese cruisers sought to break
through the Chinese line on the starboard
side. Three torpedo boats swiftly pursued
them. The Chen-Yuen and Ching-Yung
went at full speed astern to avoid a catas-
trophe The boats fired their torpedoes,
but the nets about the Japanese cruisers
stopped them In the meantime, other
guns were brought to bear upon the cruis-
ers, which are believed to have been the
Akitsushima and the Yoshino They were
beaten back by the weight of the metal
in an almost helpless state. Chinese Off
GERS declare that both sank. They did not
see them sink, but are positive that they
could not float long.
The Chinese had Jared little better for
the Ching-Yuen had been several times
hulled and pierced upon the water line,
while the Tshoa-Yong had stranded while
trying to evade the Japanese torpedo boats.
All attempts to float her had been frus-
trated by the fire directed upon her. Fin
ally she burst into flames from shells that
had been lodged aboard of her. The big
guns of the Chen-Yuen were disabled but
she remained in the fighting line. She
worked her smaller and machine guns
whenever an opportunity presented itself.
The Tsi-Yuen retired to the second line
and the King-Yuen was in terrible plight
shell burst through her decks and set
fire to her. and with the flames bursting
from her she slowly settled down.
The Chinese torpedo boats issued to make
a diversion in the enemy's line, but the at
tempt was a failure. Throughout the fight
the attack was always with the japanese
Twice or thrice more they sought to break
through the Chinese fighting line, but un-
til the last the Chinese guns were able to
stop them. and the japanese never reached
the transports. The Chinese vessels gave
way before the attacks, and while doing SO
the Yang-Wai stranded stern first. Her
fate was similar to that of the Tshao-Yung
After the first three hours the fire be-
came intermittent. The Chih-Yuen, which
still bravely fought her guns when she
was nothing more than a floating wreck,
was St.uCH py d lofpeuO anu sank with
all on board. The scene was now appall-
ing. The guns on several of the ships
on both sides were disabled, AMI the great
ships rolled heavily The streams of green
water pouring from most of their sides
showed that the steam pumps were inces-
sanity working. and testified to the ex-
tent of the damage inflicted.
Some of the Chinese ships had exhaust
ed their ammunition during the last hours $
fighting. More than one of the Japanese
vessels seemed to be the point of foun-
dering- 1t was not until dusk, however,
that the firing ceased, and the battered
Japanese fleet slowly departed in double
line formation towards the south. The-next
morning the remnants OF the Chinese fleet
with six transports started for Port Ar
thur which was safely reached. The dam
age TO the best Chinese ships is SO exten-
sive that IL can scarcely be repared be-
fore the arrival of winter. The officers say
that both sides fought with the most fe-
rocious courage.
Comments of the London Press.
LONDON, Sept. 1.-The Chronicle this
morning points out that the dock yards of
Tor far rf,r ~. fffna .sf