The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-10-21

NOkOnand, OcI zO.-hOnB De1Ore the
rejoicing over the capture of Phyong-
Yang had begun to subside, Japan was
excited to fresh enthusiasm by the news
OF a naval victory of even greater sig
nificance, in the northeastern inlet of the
Yellow sea-
On the 10th of September Admiral Ito,
commanding the squadron stationed at the
mouth of the Taitong or Daido river, was
notified that large Chinese fleet had ar
rived at the Yalu river. in charge of
transports conveying reinforcements to
the army on the frontier.
He set sail on the following morning
with all the men-of-war that could be
Immediately summoned, namely: The
Matsusima, flagship: Hashidate, Itsullu-
shima, Yosino. Takachiho, Akitshushima,
Naniwai, Chipoda, Fuse, Akagi and Hiyei.
accompanying these eleven was the
Saikio, merchant steamer, taken in the
national service since The war began of
no strength and not intended for heavy
COINED the expedition, but the desire of
~sslscount kabayama, the naval chief of
the stan, who, being on a visit of inspec-
uon at the north. could not resist the
temptation TO witness the expected engage
ment. Between u and l O'Clock fourteen
Chinese ships and six torpedo boats were
3iScoNered a little sQkth of a harbor called
Taikosan in Japanese pronunciation, and
east of kaiyoto island.
Their Armament.
The ships We're he Ting Huen. flagship;
Shen 1uen. l.ai Iuen, King Yuen, Ching
Yuen, Chih Yuen, Ping Yuen. Chao Yuen'
Yang Wei, kwanl1 Kah. Wei Yuen'
kwang Ping, and two others whose
names are still unknown. OF these the
nrSt two carried Krupp gums of thirty
centimeter and fifteen centimeter
The next four carried twenty-one cent?
meter and fifteen centimeter krupps, and
the next two had twenty-five ton Arm
strongs. Contrary to anticipation they adj
Nanced unhasitatingly and commenced
ire when 1900 meters distant from the
Japanese, who reserved their first dis
charge until another thousand meters had
been covered. The serious fighting began
between the vessels at the Chinese right
ana the japanese left the fiagshipS on
elther side leading the onset. BY o. clock
the contest was general. Both lines main
tanned their position steadily for over an
hour. when the Chinese showed signs of
MaNy1ing. Three of their ships either
by accident or design, had for some time
been made special objects of attack, and
Though they contested vigorously TO the
last they were sunk, one after another.
the crews climbing in their riggings as
each descended and signalled wildly for
help TO both their COMPANIONS and as
sailants. These We're the Lai Euen, Chin
YGen and Chao Nuen. As soon as they
Were disposed of. the foremost Japanese
shlps directed their assault against the
immense German built vessels at the
p head OF the Chinese. column, but for
long time without effect upon the heavy
steel plating which protected them.
Lucky Shell.
Al last. however, a lucky shell struck
the Ting Yuen a little above the water,
and seemed, to the Japanese observers
TO pierce the arnor through and through.
Their belief that this feat had been
achieved was increased when a thick
body Of smoke was seen rising from the
flagship. and although no diminution of
activity on board was perceptible, they
were convinced that She had been set
on fire and remained burning up to the
hour of her hasty departure. Whatever
her condition, She succeeded in infticting
heavy punishment upon her chief adver-
saIy. The Matsushima was struck by two
l2-inch shells, the first of which upset
large guns. while the second exploded
an ammunition box, dealing dreadful havoc
arlorg the crew, and starting a fire
which was subdued only with great diff
Guilty In consequence of these miShaps,
the Matsushina withdrew from the scene
and moved toward the Taitong, Admiral
Ito transferring his flag TO the Hashidate.
Meanwhile three other Japanese vessels
had undergone extremely rough treat
ment. The Saikio, which Viscount ka-
bayama persisted in keeping in the thick
of the fight, Notwithstanding her obvious
unSuitability for such duty, lost control
of her Tudder and found herself il much
closer proximity than was desirable to the
Ting Yuen and Chen Yuen. As she could
not avoid them, she made directly for
them, misleading them, it is supposed,
into the belief that she was about to ram
them. The japanese are of the opinion
that it was under this Illusion that the
twp huge ships separated allowing the
e,yxaikio a passage about forty fathoms
sfide through which to escape. Torpedoes
were discharged at her as she went by,
but without avail.
DeIuSed with Missiles.
The Hiyei having been unable by reason
of her slowness TO keep pace with the
rest of the feet, became a conspicuous
| object to the Chinese, and was so deluged
with missiles that she was set on fire be
the afternoon half Her.
small crew was greatly reduced, and
as lthe surgeon was among the wounded
the sufferers could not be properly cared
fer When she had lost twenty killed and
thirty-four wounded, she fell out of line
and turned toward the Taitong. But
meeting a transport on the way, she OBJ
tanned assistance in quenching the flames
handed over the wounded, and returned
with all the speed she could make, not
waiting for a doctor to take up her work
where she had left off. In this hope she
vas disappointed for the enemy had
flown and the battle was over.
1t is recorded that when steaming away
in flames she was thrice in great danger
from torpedoes, but Skilfully escaped by
employing a device described in a recent
magazine account of an imaginary naval
fight in South America To most readers
of that SKETCH the eXpedient of stopping
a projectile by turning upon it a converg-
ing fire of shot and shell seemed purely
fictitious; yet this is precisely what the
Hiyei is said to have done in at least
one instance.
The Akagi. small gun boat. was badly
overmatched from the outset OF account
of being brought under the fire of no less
than six of the enemy at once. The COM
mande- was struck down and killed while
she was thus holly engaged, yet she
would still have kept up a determined re-
Sistance but for the loss of a mast, which
rendered her unma ma geable She also
found it necessary to retire to the Tai
tong.
Folly to Prolong 1t.
About the time when Admiral Ito left
the Matsushi1na, the disorder in the Chi
slose feet plainly indicated that the con-
test could not be prolonged on their
side Three ships had been sunk and a
Etroyed and abandoned. Besides the Ting
Yuen, two others were on fire, and the
entire force Was thoroughly demcralized.
A little after O'Clock the flagship took
the lea ! in retreat toward the home sta
-sions. Four fast steaming japanese crnis-
ers were detailed to follow. and If possible
had to be reckoned with, and the possi- !
bisity of being struck by one of them in
the night made ii imperative that the
Japanese should exercise caution Morn
of Pechili, with no ship of the enemy in
sight They steamed back to Kaiyoto
island. keeping a keen lookout on the way, I
buf the Chinese had evidently reached
Of the japanese squadron had reconvened
near Tai Kosan harbor on the chance
Of getting another fight, bringing this time
some torpedo boats to cooperate. The
need of them was so greatly felt on the /
previous day that it Is safe to say no |
large body of Japanese ships viii ever |
again sail without these essential adj |
jucts. Ore Of them was now put to a /
practical If somewhat irglorious use in
breaking up the Yang Wei, deserted and 4
unfit for further service.
Loss of Life.
The loss of life was largest on the Ma !