The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-08-22
WHIPPED THREE JAPANESE SHIPS
United States Warship and u Japa-
nene Bnrbarians.
From the washington Post.

in 1863, japanese vessels and an American
warship met in deadly conflict, and Japa-
nese batteries, armed in part with Amer
lean guns, the gift of our government to
that at Toxic, fired shell after shell at the
gallant old Wyoming, as her brave cap
tain, David Stockton McDOugal, carried
her into an unequal conflict, but to glo-
rious victory against the forces of the
mikado All this happened at the straits
of Shimonoseki, the Gibraltar of the Jap
anese Mediterranean, whittier the Wyo-
ming had gone to administer a lesson to
the Choshiu clansmen for their treacher-
Gus and unwarranted attack on the Amer
lean ship Pembroke. The events which
led up to this condition of things are
necessary to a complete understanding of
the matter, and are briefly as follows:
The condition of the Americans, resident
in Japan was, in 1863, far from an envia-
BILE one. Practically cut off from commu-
nication with the United States by the
destruction of American commerce, and
appalled, by news of disaster at home.
distorted through the European agencies
by which it came, and, in addition, suf
fering the suspense of all foreigners in
country even then in the throes of a civil
war the prime object TO which was the
sweeping into the sea of all ugly barbar-
ians."
The tycoon, knowing full we'll the power
behind the few foreigners then in the EN-
pire stroye to his utmost to stay the
mikado's edict of expulsion, but his efforts
were in vain. and the proclamation went
forth to him: THE ugly barbarians are
watching the empire with greedy eyes, and
you will, in obedience to the mikado's
wishes, perform the task of sweeping them
into the sea, that the holy empire may
return to its desired solitude"
This was enough for the clansmen Of
Choshiu, who, anxious to embroil the ty-
coon with the treaty powers by some overt
act, and thus restore the mikado to SUI
preme power, at once commenced erecting
batteries after their French and Dutch
teachings, on the promontories and head
lands of the straits.
Under the personal direction of Mort,
lord of Choshiu. seven works were con-
structed, and mounting from two to seven
guns, and situated from so to 100 feet
above tide water.
These were mostly 80 Founders, although
there were some u and 4-pounders, and
in the batteries nearest the town were
mounted the eight-inch Dahlgren guns,
the gift of the United States, which had
been borrowed without permission from
Toxic.
The straits of Shimonoseld, form the
western entrance to the inland sea, anG
divide the islands of Hindo and Kiushiu.
They are about three miles long, and
from one-half to one mile wide, but ow-
ing to the swift current, that often rushes
through at the rate of five knots an hour,
are very dangerous to navigators and
the frowning bluffs, at the base of which
the town of Shimonoseki stretches in one
long street, have looked down in past
centuries on thousands of shipwrecks and
appalling loss of life
Besides the forts above referred to, the
Japs had three ships, purchased from
American firms and fitted as men-of-war,
mounting eighteen guns. They were the
steamer Lancefeld, the bark Daniel Web
ster and the brig Lanrick.
With this strong force and about 1900
well-drled clansmen, the Choshiu men
were ready for the first foreign devil
ship" which might unsuspecting!y try to
pass.
They did not have long to wait, for on
June 25, the very day fixed in the procla-
nation for the work of expulsion to begin,
the American steamer Pembroke, in the
japanese and Chinese trade, hove in sight
and anchored, to await a favorable tide
next day
The captain of the Pembroke, having no
reason for suspicion, thought nothing of
the bark and brig coming out and anchor
ing near him, and was not aware of their
hostile intentions until shortly after mid
night. when they suddenly opened a ter
rife fire on his vessel.
Quickly slipping his cable. and with
full head Of steam on. the Pembroke was
backed away IN the darkness, leaving the
elated Japs under the impression that she
had gone down at her anchors.
on July the French steamer KEN
Chang also anchored in the straits and
was promptly fired on, and when a boat
was lowered 20 ascertain its cause, IL was
sunk by a lucky shot and several men
drowned The Frenchman then made off
in an almost sinking condition, and on
ba al N
the captain of the Dutch frigate Medusa
of sixteen guns.
Setting out at once to investigate, the
Medusa arrived in the straits on July H.
and was Immediately fired on by the ships
and forts. The frigate replied CALAMITY
with her port battery, but. fearing to get
aground and on account of the tide, was
forced to pass on her way, having been
hit thirty-one times and having four men
killed, five wounded. and her smokestack
long boat and cutter destroyed. The cap
tain. on his return to The Hague, was
knghted and the crew were given medals
for their bravery In this action
on July 20 the French gunboat Tam
crede, while making an attack. was hit
three times, and shortly before a Japa-
nese vessel, mistaken for a foreign war
ship, was sunk and her crew drowned.
This goes 10 show that when on the re-
ceipt Of news of the Pembroke affair
July i6, he had an enemy confronting him
worthy OF his steel.
No charts or trustworthy pilots having
been procurable, McDougal had been care
ful to ascertain the draft OF the Lance
field, and was delighted to discover that
where that vessel went tho wyoming
could follow
with a crew fun Of fight the American
vessel entered the straits with the men al
quarters. her approach being announced
by signal guns calling the ciansnen into
the batteries, but Il was not until tho
promontory OF Monsh had been passed
and the town and vessels exposed 10 View
that the first shot struck the ship, doing
only minor damage.
The japanese vessels lay with helr
heads toward the shore. the steamer be-
Ing the farthest out and the bark nearest
the town. The Lanceneld had steam an
ana was also fitted with kedge anchors
hanging from the yardarms 90 be- used in
boarding. The Wyoming was stu In mid.
channel the Japanese pilots on her Fear.
INK % take her farther in shore, although
the edge was plainly marked by siakes
driven Ia the mud. Up TO this time not "A
shot had been fred, Il being McDouFatn
Intention 20 take the ruTHtuta t.a.sf 49,.