The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-09-21
THE FIGHTAT SEA.
China's Loss in the Long
and Vigorous Battle.
The Guns on Both Sides We're
Worked Increasingly.

Ep The Asoc atcd Press.
TOXIC, Sept 2l.-The naval department.
has received dispatch from the admiral
commanding the japanese fleet In the
gulf of Pc Chilli, to the effect that he en-
gagged the enemy on Monday last and in
flcted heavy loss.
Ii il added that japanese fleet consist
ing of nine warships and two fest trans
ports, armed and converted into cruisers,
had been sent IN search OF the enemy's
northern fleet, which was sighted at noon
Monday, 80 miles northeast OF the island
OF Hal -Yung Pao.
The japanese pursued the enemy at full
speed. The Chinese showed no DISPOSE
tioHto alter their course or to give battle.
The chase lasted little over an hour, the
Japanese gaining. Shortly after o'clock
the cruiser Chiota got within range of the
Chinese flagship, the guns of which
opened fire upon her. and "A running fight
ensued. Several vessels on both sides were
engaged. This lasted over two hours
The Chinese transports entered the Y.In
river safely during the main engagement,
which was fought In the estuary and
which lasted until nightfall Three Chi
nese watships were successfully disabled
and sunk, and another was set on fire and
destroyed. Several others of the enemy's
warships Were seriously damaged by the
heavy fire from the Japanese cruisers, but
they managed 10 get away, together with
afew vessels which remained unscathed.
The japanese warships were so well
handled that not one was lost. Only two,
the Matsusima and IIivio, were damaged
10 any extent but one OF the armed trans
ports was badly crippled and put out Of
action.
A private dispatch says that the total
casualties on the Japanese side did not ex-
ceed 100 The dispatch further says that
the news of the Japanese victory has
caused great rejoicing in Toxic.
From Chinese Sources.
A dispatch from Tien-Tsin gives the
fun narrative Of the battle off Yalu. ADJ
miral Ting was instructed To convey six
transports and 10 land the troops. guns
and stores at Yi-Chow, from which base
CHINA intended to renew operations in
Corea
The battleships Ting. Yuen, Chen -Yuen.
King fuen. Ping Yuen, Lai- Yuen and
Tsi-Yuen, and the cruisers Chi-Yuen.
Ching Yuen, Chao- Yung, Yang-wei,
kwang Kai and Kwang- Ting, together
with four torpedo boats, escorted the trans
ports. They arrived at the entrance to
the Yalu river early Monday morning and
the Decentralization proceeded rapidly, the
transports steainlng into the river, while
the warships anchored outside.
At III o'clock the horizon indicated the
approach OF large hotilla The situation
was grasped Immediately and Admiral
Ting gave orders for the weighing of
anchors and the placing OF the ships in
battle array. His position was a difflcult
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 Japanese cruiser or torpedo boat run
ming among his transports
He chose tine lesser OF Jhs two evils and
formed fighting line TO guard the single
column in the following order from port
20 starboard Yang Wei, Chi Yuen. Tsi-
Yuen, King Yuen, Ting Yuen, Lai- -Yuen.
Chin Nuen, Ping-Yuen, Ching Yuen and
Chao Gung. AS second fighting line.
end to meet any Japanese ships which
might succeed in forcing the fighting line.
the kwang- Kat and kwang-Ting, with
four torpedo boats, were stationed at the
mouth of the river
Lined Up For Battle.
The Japanese fleet approached at full
speed until within range. Then they ad-
lines Nine ironclads and cruisers formed |
The fighting line, while three gunboats |
and five torpedo boats formed the second |
line.
Firing commenced forthwith. The guns
on both sides were worked increasingly az
long range, but the hits were infrequent.
The japanese crept gradually closer and
their 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 battleships Chen
1uen and Ting Yuen. For so minutes a
terrific cannonade continued.
The resultwas that one japanese cruiser
reported TO have been the Saiko, was
placed out of action. One Chinese officer
declared that he saw her sink
In the meantime the two big guns on
the Chen Yu.n were disabled, and the
other ships showed signs Of damage. Both
fleets were under easy steam the Japanese
continually while the Chi
nese held their original positions.
Suddenly two of the Japanese cruisers
sought to break through the Chinese lines
ON the starboard side. Three torpedo boats
swiftly pursued them. The Chin Yuen
and Chao Yuen went at full speed astern
TO avoid catastrophe. The boats fired
their torpedoes, but the nets about the Jan
bnose cruisers stopped them. In the mean.
time other guns were brought to bear upon
the plucky cruisers, who are believed to
have been the Akitsuhima and the Yosh-
'mo. They were beaten back by the
weight OF metal in an almost hopeless
shape. Chinese officers declare that both |
sank. They did not see them sink, but
hrc positive that they could not float long.
Chinese Vessels Badly Battered.
The Chinese had Jared little better. for
ihe Ching Yuen had been several times
lulled and pierced upon the waterline,
while the Chao- Yung had stranded while
.rying TO evade the japanese torpedo
boats. All attempts to float her had been !
frustrated by the fire directed upon her. 8
Finally she burst into flames from shells
hat had been lodged aboard of her :
The dig guns of the Chen Yuen were
disabled, but she remained In the fighting