The herald., 1895-02-08
COMMANDMENT
OF WEI Hal WEI
Two China Warships Sunk
by the Enemy.
Strong Defense Made From the
Forts.
MANY DISASTERS REPORTED
The Japanese have Ch,nn's Few Re-
maining War Vessels Within Their
Grasp-Dotails of q Great
MANY DISASTERS REPORTED

LONDON, Feb. IA cablegram from
Wei Hal Wei, dated February 5, Gays
the Chinese feet has practically ceased
to exist. The ironclsd Chen Yuen and
her sister ship, the Ting Yuen, have
been sunk and the other vsssels of the
Chinese feet are within the grasp OF the
Japanese.
At day break on Sunday the Japanese
feet opened fire on the Liu Kung forts,
which replied vigorously. The bonn
bsrdment became terrific. The first
Japanese division, including the flag
ship, directed it's iorce against the
eastern island batteries, while the Sec
ond division shelled Fort Sehih. The
Chinese feet soon came to the assistance
Of the forts. The Ting Yuen used her
guns with effect, but succeeded in di-
verting some OF the Japanese fire from
tho forts to herself. The Lai Yuen. q
smaller chip, also fought well. There
were many casualties. Two Chinese
gunboats also assisted, but were not
badly damaged. These four vessels
fought desperately until ds:k, when the
firing ceased on both sides.
CHINESE GUNS DISABLED.
The Chinese forts, especially Fort
Sehih, suffered immense damage. The
Chinese FIRE toward evening indicated
that the guns were disabled, that the
gunners were killed or that ammunition
was becoming scarce. The sea was rough
Sunday, bat fearing that the Chinese
would endesvor to escape. the Japanese
feet did not seek shelter, remaining to
guard the exits from the harbor. During
the night the Japanese learned from
a prisoner who had been captured, that
Admiral Ting, the Chinese naval COM
mander, had ordered the captains OF
the various ships to remain inside the
harbor, even If the islands should be
captured. and endeavor to destroy the
Japanese feet. Every officer was or.
dered to remain a. his post until the
last, under pain of dishonor or death.
wARsHIPs SUNK.
The bombardment was resumed today,
Sundays operation being repeated. The
fire from Fort Sehih continued weakly.
The Chinese men-of-war were 80 re-
peatedly and badly hit that their guns
were handled with difficulty and with
less spirit. Towards the close OF the
fight the Ting Yuen and Chen Yuen
were disabled. They gradually settled
and foundered. amid the shouts OF Jap
anese both on the land and sea. The
other Chinese vessels were in distress.
The dispatch concludes with the state.
mont that the Japanese are preparing to
carry Liu Kung by storm. The Chen
Yuen and Ting Yuen were built at the
Vulcan works, Stettin, Germany. The
former was launched in December, 1882,
and the latter in December, 1881. Chief
Engineer King Of the United States navy
recently described the vessels as follows
They are armored ships OF the bsr-
bette type with q citadel amidships.
Rising above are two others placed en-
eschelon, in each of which are mounted
two 12-inch, 50'ton Krupp guns, while
on the bow and stern one of Krupp's
long 5.S inch guns is mounted.
CHEFoo, Feb. THE Japanese forces
today arrived near Ninghai. town be-
tween Wei Hal Wei and this city, and
began q bombardment of the forts on
the western side OF the town. The for-
egners in Ohefoo are under arms. The
gates OF the city have been closed and
barricaded. 1t is thought probable that
the attack on Ninghai ia q feint on the
part OF the Japanese to cover q new
landing Of their forces.