The herald., 1894-10-21

and although no diminution OF activity
on board was perceptible they were
convinced that she had been set on IRE
and remained burning up to the hour oil
her hasty departure. Whatever hr
condition, she succeeded in inf1ictine
heavy punishment upon her chief ad-
versary. The Matsushima was struck
by two l2-inch shells, the first OF which
! upset and battered out of ehape
one of ner large guns. while
the second exploded An smmuni-
ton box, dealing dreadful havoc among
the crew. and starting fire which was
only eubdued with great difficulty. In
consequence of these misbaps the
Matshushima withdrew from the soene
and moved toward the Teitong. Ad-
mirsl Ito transferring his flag to the
Hashidate.
sells had undergone extremely rough
treatment. The Saikio, which Viscount
Keibayms persisted in keeping in the
thick of the fight, notwithstanding her
obvious unsuitablity for such duty, lost
control of her rudder and found herself
in much closer proximity than was
desirable, TO the Ting Yuen and Chen
Yuen. As she could not avoid them.
she made directly for tn EN-. mislead
ing them, it is supposed, into the be-
lief that she was about to ram them.
The Japanese are of the opinion tn at
it was under this illusion that the two
huge ships separated allowing the
Saikio passage about 40 fathoms
wide through which TO escape. Tor
pedoes were discharged at her as she
went by. but without avail.
PLUCKY CREW.
The Hiyei having been unable by rea-
on of her slowness to keep pace with
the rest OF the fleet. became a conspicu-
GUS object TO the Chinese, and was 80 del
uged with missiles that che was set on
fire before the afternoon was half over.
Her small crew was greatly reduced, and
as the surgeon was among the wounded
the sufferers could not be properly
cared for. When she had lost 20 killed
and "a wounded, che fell out
OF line and turned toward the Taitong.
But meeting transport on the way she
obtained assistance in quenching the
flames, handed over the wounded and re.
turned with oil the speed she could
make, not waiting for q doctor, to take
up her work where she had left off. In
this hope che was disappointed for the
enemy had flown and the battle was
won.
1t is recordad that when stesming
away in flames shs Was thrice in great
danger from torpedoes. but skilliully es-
capped by employing q device described
in "a recent magazine account of an i'm
aginary naval fight in South America.
To most readers of that sketch the expe-
dent Of stopping projsctile by turning
upon it convergng fire OF shot and
she'll seemed purely fictitious; yet this
is precisely what the Hiyei is said to
have done in at least one instance.
The Akagi, small gunboat. was
badly overmatched from the outset on
account OF having been brought under
the fire OF no less than six OF the enemy
at once. Her commander was struck
down and killed while che was thus
hotly engaged, yet che would still have
kept up determined resistance but for
the loss OF mast, which rendered her
unmansgesble. She also found it neces-
sary to retire to the Taitong.
FLIGHT OF THE CHINESE FLEET.
About the time when Admiral Ito
left the Matsushima the disorder in the
Chinese feet plainly indicated that the
contest could not be prolonged on their
side. Three ships had been sunk and
fourth, the Yang Wei, had been half de-
stroyed and abandoned. Besides the
Ting Yuen two others were on fire, and
the entire force was thoroughly demor-
allied. A little after 5 O'Clock
the fagship was in the lead in retreat
toward the home stations. Four fast
Japanese cruisers were detailed to follow
and, if possible, cut off their escape bat
the torpedoes had to be reCkoned with,
and the possibility of being struck by
one of them in the night made it i'm.
perative that the Jspansse should exer-
else canton. Morning found them at
the mouth OF the gulf of Pechili, with
no chip of the enemy in sight. They
steamed back to Ksiyoto island, keeping
a keen lookout on the way. but the Chi
nese had evidently reached safe place
OF refuge.
The greater part OF the Japanese
squadron had reconvened near the Tai-
kosan hsrbor. on the chance OF getting
another fight, bringing this time come
torpedo boata to cooperate. The need
of them WAS so greatly felt ON the pre-
vious day that it 10 safe TO say no large
body Of Japanese chips will ever again
sail without these essential adjuncts.
One OF them was now put to practical
ii somewhat inglorious use, in breaking
up the Yang Wei, deserted and unfit for
further service.
JAPANESE LOSSES.
An examination shows that none of
the Japanese vessels received damages
that cannot be repaired with slight
cost of labor. All but the four referred
to were so free from injury that they
could have gone into action airesh the
day.
The loss of liie was largest on the
Matshushima. Her complement was
1856. Four officers and 33 men were
killed and 20 officers and men wounded.
The total losEes were 10 officers and go
men killed and 100 officers and men
wounded.
THE JAPANESE COMMANDERS.
General Count Oyama, minister of
war, has been relieved from the duties
OF his Office and appointed commander
in.chief OF the eecond army organized
for service against China. Under him
are Lieutenant. Generals Yamagi, Saku-
ma and Yoshinisa, whose respective
forces are portions OF the first, second
and sixth divisions. General Yamagata
in command of the fret army,
OF the third and fifth di-
visions. General Count Saigo. minister
Of the navy, takes temporary charge OF
the department OF war.
AN ANGEL OF MERCY.