The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-09-21

TEN Tsrs, CHINA, Sept. 20.-From
Chinese officers with dispatches who
have arrived here aud later messages
from Port Arthur, O full narrative OF
the naval battle OF Yalu is obtainable.
Admiral Ting, commander Of the Chi.
nese northern squadron, was instructed
by tho council Of war here TO convey
six transports and TO land the troops.
guns and stores at 70 Chow from which
base China intended to renew opera
tions In Korea.
The battle ships arrived at the en-.
trance to the Yalu river early Monday
morning and the Decentralization pro-
ceeded rapidly, tho transports, steam.
ing into tho rivor, while the warships
anchored outside at II o'clock smoke
on the horizon indicated tho approach
Of large fiotilla. The situation was
grasped Immediately aud Admiral Ting
gave orders for the weighing Of anchors
and the placing OF the ships in battle
array. His position was difficult one.
II no remained near tho shore his
movements would DO cramped, and II
he steamed out for sea room he
ran tho risk OF q Japanese cruiser or
torpedo boat running in among his
Transports. He chose the lesser of two
evils, and formed fighting line to
guard the estuary in single column us o
second fighting line, and TO meet any
Japanese ship which might succeed In
forcing tho fighting line four torpedo
boats were stationed at tho mouth OF
the river.
THE JAPANESE CHARGE.
The Japanese feet approached at full
speed until within range. Then they
advanced in columns, forming into two
lines. Nine ironclads and cruisers
formed the fighting limo. while three
eunboats and five torpedo boats formed
the second line. Firing commenced
forthwith. The guns on both sides
were worked Increasingly at long range
and the hits were infrequent
The Japanese crept gradually closer
aud tho gunners made better practice.
The Ting Yuen was the first to suffer, a
shell bursting in her battery. From
tho outset the Japanese directed q
powerful fro upon the Chinese battle
ships Chen Yuen and Ting Yuen. For
ninety minutes a terrific cannonade
continued. The result was that ono
Japanese cruiser. reported to have been
the Saiko, was placed out Of action.
One Chinese officer declared that he
saw her eink.
In the meantime tho two big guns on
the Chen Yuen were disabled and tho
other ships showed signs OF damage.
Both fleets were under easy steam, tho
Japanese mauouevering continually,
while the Chinese held their original
position.
TERRIFIC FIGHTING.
Suddenly two of the Japanese cruisers
sought to break through the Chinese
line on the starboard side. Three tor
pedo boats swiftly pursued thcm. The
Chin Yeun and Chang Yung went at
full speed astern TO avoid catastrophe.
The boats fred their torpedoes, but tho
nets about the Japanese cruisers stop
ped them. In the meantime other
guns were brought TO bear upon the
cruisers, which are believed to have
been the Akitsushima and tho Yoahimo.
They were beaten back by the weight
OF metal in an almost helpless state.
Chinese officers declare that both sank.
Thoy did not soc them sink, but arc
positive that they could not float long.
The Chinese had fared little better,
for the Ching Yuen had been several
times pierced and hulled upon the
water limo, while tho Chen Yuen had
stranded while trying to ,evade the
Japanese torpedo boats. All attempts
to float her had been frustrated by the
fire directed upon her. Finally she
burst into flames from shells that had
boon lodged aboard Of her.
Tho big guns Of the Chen Yuen were
disabled, but she remained In tho fight,
ing line. She worked her smaller and
machine guns whenever an opportunity
presented itself.
Tho Tsi Yuen retired to tho second
line, and tha King Yuen was In tor
rible plight A shell burst through
hor decks and set fire to her, aud with
tho flames bursting from hcr she slowly
settled down.
Tho Chinese torpedo boats cssayed to
make diversion in the enomy,s line,
but tho attempt was failure.
Throughout tho fight the attack was
always with the Japanese. Twice or
thIce moro they sought TO break
through tho Chinese fighting limo, but
until the last the Chinese guns were
able 10 stop them and tho Japanese
never reached the transports. Tho
Chinese vessels gavo way before tho at
tacks and while doing so the Yang
Wei stranded stern first Hcr fato was
similar to that OF tho Chao Yung.
AN APPALLING SCENE.
After tho frst three hours tho fro
became intermittent Tho Chin Yuen,
which bravoly fought her guns when
she was not hing more than wallowing
wreck, was struck by O torpedo and
sank with all on board. Tho sceno was
now appalling. Tho guns on several 9t
Of the ships on both sides wore disabled,
and tho great ships rolled heavily. Ihe
streams OF green wator pouring from
their sides showed that tho steam
pumps woro incessantly working and
testified to tho extent Of the damage IN,
illcled. Some Of tho Chinese ships lad
exhausted thcir ammunition during tho
last hours fighting.
Morn than nnn NJ Ihn Jnnnucso vessels