The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-08
Desperate Sea and Land Battle, I'm
which Both Sides Showed skill,
Endurance and Stubbornncss.
MANY CASUALTIES REPORTED
JAPANESE FORCES PREPARING TO
TAKE FORT LIU IxUNG BY STORM.
Great Britain, Russia and France
Getting Ready to Step in and De-
prive Japan OF Her SpoiIs.

LONDON, Feb. IA cable dispatch from
We-Hai-Wei, dated Feb. 5. says that the
Chinese fleet has practically ceased to ex-
ist. The ironclad Chen-Yuen and her sis
ter ship, the Ting-Yuen, have been sunk.
and the other vessels of the Chinese fleet
are within the grasp of the Japanese. At
daybreak OF Sunday the Japanese feet
opened fire on the Lui-Kung forts, which
replied vigorously. The bombardment be-
came terrific. The first Japanese division,
including the flag ship directed it's fire
against the eastern island batteries while
the second division shelled Fort Znih The
Chinese fleet soon came to the assistance
Of the forts. The Ting-Yuen used
her guns without effect, but succeeded
in diverting some of the Japanese fire from
the forts to herself. The Lai-Yuen a
smaller ship, also fought well. There were
many casualties Two Chinese gunboats
also assisted, but were not badly damaged.
These four vessels fought desperately until
dark, when the firing ceased on both sides.
The Chinese forts, especially Fort Zhih.
suffered immense damage The slackening
Chinese fire towards evening indicated that
the guns were disabled, that the gunners
were killed, or that ammunition was be-
coming scarce.
The sea was rough Sunday, but, fearing
cape, the Japanese fleet did not seek shell
ter. remaining to block the exits from tha
harbor During the night the Japanese
learned from a prisoner who had been
captured ashore. that Admiral Ting, the
Chinese naval commander, had ordered the
captains of the various ships to remain
inside the harbor, even If the island should
be captured, and endeavor to destroy the
Chinese fleet. Every s,fficer was ordered
to remain at his post until the last under
pain of dishonor or death.
The bombardment was resumed to-day,
Sundays operations being repeated The
fire from Fort Zhih continued weakly. The
Chinese men-of-war were so repeat tedly
and badly hit that their guns were handled
with difficulty and with less spirit. To-
wards the close of the fight the Ting-Yuen
and Chen-Yuen were disabled. They grad
ually settled down and foundered amid
shouts of triumph from the japanese, both
on land and sea. The other Chinese ves-
sells were in distress. The dispatch con-
cludeS with the statement that the jap
anese are preparing to carry Lu-Kung by
storm.
The Chen-Yuen and Ting-Yuen were buile
at the Vulcan works at 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 fol-
lows: They are armored ships of the bar
bette type, with a citadel amidships; rising
above it are two others placed en- echelon.
in each of which are mounted two twelve-
inch, ffty-ton Krupp guns, while on the
bow and stern one of Krupp's long eight
inch guns is mounted.
sunk by Torpedoes.
SHANGHAI, Feb. Tt Is reported here
the Chen-Yuen and Ting Yuen were sunk by
torpedoes that We're discharged at them
during night attack. The island of Liu
Kung is now practically in the hands of the
Japanese.
Philo Norton McGiffen, of Washington,
Pa, a member Of Admiral Tings staff, was
the commander of the Chen-Yuen. He was
wounded at the battle of the YaIu, but
subsequently recovered and again took CONF
mand of bis ship. He has a brother, Prof.
Nathaniel McGiffen, of the Polytechnic In
stitute. of Brooklyn. to whom ne has writ
ten several letters that have been published
giving graphic details of the operations Of
the Chinese fleet. He is graduate of An
napolis, and entered the Chinese naval
service in 1890.
Alarm at Che-FOo.
CHE-FOO Feb. THE Japanese force
to-day arrived near Ming Hal, town be-
tween Wei-Ha-We and this city, and be-
gan a bonbardment of the forts on the
western side of the town. The foreigners in
Che-Foo are under arms. The gates of the
city have been closed and barricaded. It is
thought probable that the attack on Ming
Hal is feint on the part of the Japanese
20 cover a new landing of their forces.