Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1895-02-16
HAS CEASED TO EXIST.
Chinese Fleet ut Wei Hal Wei Practi-
caIIy Wiped Out.

Caity wiped Out.
LONDON, February "a cablegram
from Wei Hal Wei, dated February 5,
says:
1.-The Chinese fleet has practically
ceased to exist. The ironclad Chen
Iuen and her sister ship, the Ting Guen,
have been sunk, and the other vessels OF
the Chinese fleet are within the grasp OF
the Japanese. At dayb Sunday the
Japanese fleet opened fire on the Liu
kung forts, which replied vigorously.
The BON bardment became terrific. The
Japanese division including the flag
ship directed its force against the east
ern island batteries, while the second
division shelled Fort Sehih. The Chi
nese fleet soon came to the assistance of
the forts. The Ting Guen used her guns
with effect and succeeded in diverting
some of the Japanese fire from the forts
to herself, The Lai Guen, smaller
ship, also fought well. There were
many casualties. Two Chinese gun
boats also assisted, but were not badly
damaged. These five vessels fought
desperately until dark when the firing
ceased on both sides.
"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 run
ming Sunday, but fearing that the Chi
nese would endeavOr to escape, the Jap
anese fleet did not seek shelter, remain
ing to block the exits from the harbOr.
During the night the Japanese learned
from prisoner, who had been captured
ashore, that Admiral Ting, the Chinese
naval commander, had ordered the Cap
tains of the various ships to remain in
side the harbOr, even if the islands
should be captured, and endeavor to de-
stroy the Japanese fleet. Every officer
was ordered to remain at his post until
the last under pain of dshonor or death.
1.-The bombardment was resumed to-
day, Sundays operations being re-
peated. The fire from Fort Sehih con-
tinued weakly. The Chinese men-Of-
war were so repeatedly and SO badly hit
that their guns were handled with diff
ticulty and with less spirit. Toward the
close of the fight the Ting Guen and
Ol1tu l u6n were ulSdDlCds IICy SI
ually settled down and foundered, amid
the shouts of the Japanese on land and
sea. The other Chinese vessels were in
distress
The dispatch concluded with the state
ment that the Japanese are preparing to
carry the Liu kung forts bv storm.
The Chen Yuen and Ting 1uen were
built at the Vulcan works, Stettin, Ger
many. The former was launched in De-
cember, 1882, and the latter in Decem-
Der 1881. Chief Engineer King of the
United States navy recently described
the vessels as follows:
They are armored ships OF the bar
bette type with a citadel amidship. Ris--
| ing above are two other citadels, placed
in echelon, in each OF which are mount
! ed two t~elve-inch fifty-ton krupp
guns, while on the bow and on the stern
one of Krupps long five-eighth-lnch
guns is mounted"
One report states that the two vessels
were struck with torpedoes.
FOREIGNERS IN CHE Foo UNDER ARMS.
CHE Foo, February 9.-The Japanese
forces to-day arrived near Ming Hak, a
town between Wei Hal Wei and this
city, and began the bombardment of the
forts. The foreigners in Che Foo are
under arms.