The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-11-28

that three Japanese vessels were In sight,
Looking through the window On The port
side he saw the Japanese men-of-war, about
% degrees to the fore, coming on in single
line. The first was the Yoshino, but the
others he did not know. They came on, and
as soon as the leader was abreast Of the
Isl Yuen the three simultaneously opened
fire. Everything was then confusion on
board the Tsi Yuen, as no preparations had
been made for fight, the sea lashings
being on the guns, and no ammunition
being up. 1t was about half anhour be-
fore the Isl Yuen could return the fire. The
Tsi Yuen had her steering gear badly
damaged, and the two unknown Japanese
vessels went off in pursuit of the Kuangyu
and Tsaokiang, the latter of which was
captured, while the former was run
ashore. For quite an hour the Ts Yuen
fought the Yoshino, compelling the latter to
withdraw with a goOd deal OF damage.
After effeeting some sort of repairs the
Yoshino again started after the TsYuen fir
ingsome shots which went wide of the mark.
At about half-past II the Yoshino came
W thin 800 or 900 yards, and made prepara-
tions To discharge q torpedo Meanwhile
the ISL Yuen was circling around at full
speed, keeping her broadside from the
Japanese vessel. thus rendering futile an
attempt to use torpedo. The Yoshino
approached closer still, whereupon the Tsi
Yuen's aft gun, 15cm. Krupp, tired three
rounds at her, hitting the Japanese vessel
near the bridge and infiicting great dam
age. Upon this the YUshino drew off
toward the shore and the Tsi Yuen re-
sumed her journey to Wel-Hai- Wei. Mr..
Hoffman, speaks highly of the working of
the Tsi Yuep. and he thinks it very cred
liable that she no, only escaped from the
superior Japanese force. but inflicted con-
siderable damage upon the Yoshino as
well. There were thirteen killed and
twenty-three wounded on the Tsi Yuen,
and 1t was an unfortunate fact that there
was no doctor on board nor any provision
made in the way of baDdages. From Wei
Ha-Wei the Isl Yuen went to Port Arthur
TO repair, remaining there about three
weeks.
MIR. Hoffmann's account of the battle of
the Yalu on the 17th of September is ote-
worthy as being the first direct testimony
we have yet had as to the dongs of the
Tsi Yuen Oh that day. 1t will be readily
recalled that her commander, Captain
FOng, mas Deen uecapltdtou I0r C0WarQ1ce
on that day, but MIR. Hoffmann's testimony
tenGs 10 mitigate the weight of the accusa-
ton against the unfortunate officer if it
does not clear him altogether from blame.
Mr.. Hoffman, claims that the Tsi Yuen
fought with courage. and it was OF until
her fore and after guns were disa bled that
Captain Fong withdrew. The only ques-
tion was whether he withdrew at too
early stage. Mr.. Hoffman, says that at
about midday on the 18th of September
orders were given to get up anchor. soon
after which the Japanese came In sight
and the fighting began. 1t was soon very
difficult to make out what was going on.
The Tsi Yuen's guns were being fired very
rapidly, and this he believed was the cause
of their getting out of order. When about
thirty rounds had been fired from the 15-cm.
Krupp aft-gun, the carriage went wrong,
and the turnng-gear OF the two forward
i21-cm. Krupp) guns became jammed. so
that the platform could not be turned.
The Japanese gunners made very indiffer-
ent practice, and the Tsi Yuen did not re-
ceive much damage from them. Thinking