Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1894-10-12

OF the Naval Command Bureau, who was
making O tour of inspection. Admiral
Kabayama'S presence was accidental, the
meeting of the Chinese vessels by the jap
anGse fleet being entirely unexpected. Tho
Admiral was frequently in imminent peril.
The steering gear Of the Saikio-Maru
was disabled by the explosion OF one OF
the enemy's shells, and that vessel was
obliged to drop out ofthe line. She was pur-
sued by the Chinese and was forced to pass
between the powerful Ttng-Yuen and Chen
Yuen, within a distance of eighty metres.
The commanders of these vessels, thinking 1t
was her intention to ram them, sheered OF,
leaving the packet room to escape. The Chi
ncse discharged two fish torpedoes ut her.
but they were aimed too low and passed be-
meath her, doing no damage.
Shortly after the mishap to the Saikio-
Maru the flagship Matsusima's forward quick
firing gun was struck by shell, and many
casualties resulted. The ship also was 80
severely injured as TO nocessitate her with
drawing from the line of battle, and Admiral
Ito shifted his flag to the Hashtdate. An
other of the Chinese shells exploded in tho
! sick bav of the Hiyel, killing and WOunding
many persons, including the surgeons, and
| setting the ship on fire. She, too, left the
| line of battle TO extinguish the flames and
| transfer the wounded, which being done she
! returned and again took part in the fight.
| CAPTAIN Sakamoto, OF the Akagi, was aloft
! Watching for torped6es and signalling to the
other vessels of the fleet, their location, when
! the mast was cut away by shot from he
enemy and he was killed. The Yoshino' S
forward barbette was slightly damaged.
| All the ships Of the Japanese squadron
carried new guns. and these did excellent
service They used no torpedoes, a.
the damage sustained by the Chinese
vcsse,s being inflicted by shot. In view OF
this fact, the sinking of doub!e-bottomed
| vessels like the Lai-Yuen is considered re
markable, and it is the generally expressed
opinion among nautical authorities that the
work of the Japanese was the most success
| ful thing since the time of Nelson.
Toward the close of the fight great conlu-
sion was observed on board the Ting-Yuen,
King-Yuen and Ping-YUen. These ships ap-
| peared to be on fire.
| At sundown the Chinese feet were in full
retreat. They were pursued by the Jap
anese ships, which laid their course paral
lei to that taken by the enemy. The night
being very dark, the pursuers kept Al
some distance from the Chinese, fear
ing that should they follow the enemy
too closely they might be damaged
by the latter's torpedo boats. Owing to this
fact and the extreme darkness the Chinese
succeeded in getting away and reaching 4
cafe shelter At daylight the Japanese yes
sells endeavored to find the enemy, but were
unable to do so. They then returned to the
scene of the previous days action, Wher'
they found the Yang-Wei ashore and de
serted, and destroyed her with a fish tor
pedo. None of the Japanese vessels Wer'
lost in the engagement and only three o
them were seriously injured. All of them
with the exception OF the MatsuSlnf, remain
on the station.
All the official reports Of the battle ar
very laconic and greatly wanting III sclen
tiflc and useful details.