The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-05
Only Modern Naval Fight,

|
rebellion was given during the war be-
tween Japan and China Each OF the con-
1 tending nations had navies which while
small, included couple Of the best bat
tie ships and cruisers OF the world. The
! only fault with such a test is that the
| Japanese were SO much superior to the
Chinese in the skill with which they ma
neuyered their ships that the battle can
! not be taken as a wholly fair test. One
| thing sufficiently established was the eff
| fectiveness of the modern vessel of war
and its death-dealing power.
The Chinese feet was sighted by the
japanese while steering a course from the
mouth OF the Yalu river TO the entrance
of the Gulf of Pechili AS soon as Ad-
miral Ito. who had twelve vessels in his
feet, caught sight of the enemy he pre-
| pared for an engagement, and sailed so
as 10 intercept the Chinese on their way
to the gulf. The Chinese were advancing
side by side in two ranks, and Ito's ma
neuyer placed his vessels diagonany
across the line Of the Chinese advance
The vessels were fought, not wholly as
fleet. but as single ships, each being given
an opportunity 10 make the most OF its
best points.
Upon sighting the enemy. Ito ordered
| his ships divided into two squadrons One.
the flying squadron, consisted of four
fast cruisers. The other comprised three
coast defense vessels, an armor-clad cor
vette and one cruiser. There were three
other vessels, a slow corvette, a gunboat
and merchant vessel. which were order
ed to the rear as unavailable for quick
work The fastest ship was the Yashino
of 4.216 tons and twenty-three knots. the
leader of the flying squadron. The largest
ID
flagship, a steel coast-defense vessel of
4,27s tons and speed of rs knots.
AS the japanese approached and the Chi
nese saw flight was impossible, the celes-
tiais formed a line. with their ten ships
abreast. The flying squadron. being in
advance, came first in the range of the
enemy's guns. and the Chinese opened
fire when the two lines were FIVE miles
apart, but ineffectively. The japanese re-
served their fire and did not answer with
their guns until the distance had been
shortened TO two miles. During the whole
Of the battle the two fleets were seldom
less than a mile apart. and shots were in
terchanged at that distance.
Circling around the right wing of the en-
emy's line the flying squadron concentrat-
ed its fire against the ships of that side.
the Yang Wei Chao Yung and hte Ching
L
clads, Chen Yuen and Ting Yuen in the
center and marshaled the other ships on
either side. He attempted to maintain
his feet in this position throughout the
battle, but failed
First of the Chinese to waver was the
Yang Wei, which under the furious fire
Of the flying squadron burst into flames.
The captain ran her ashore and the crew
deserted her forthwith. When the Japa-
nese found her the next day they destroy
ed her, as she was not available and they
did not wish the Chinese to rebuild her.
Admiral Ting had six torpedo boats in
his rear and these he now sent out The
flying squadron gave chase, but was re-
called. The torpedoes were ineffective
throughout the battle, and the superior
speed of the Japanese also enabled them
to keep out of the reach of the rams The
Chinese ships engaged carried forty-four
tubes, but these with their accompanying
supply of torpedoes were so much dead
weight, conveyed for no other purpose
except to endanger the ship that bore
them. The torpedo boats effected moth
ing.
The principal squadron folliwng the ad-
vance fleet opened fire upon the right half
of the Chinese ships. The superior mug
merry of the Japanese told in the result
The Chow Tung burst into flames and
shortly afterward went down. Ito then
led his principal squadron upon the rear.
He kept his ships at the highest point !
of the speed of the Fuse his slowest YES |
sci, and came within easy range, open |
ing fire. The flying squadron circled 10 !
the right of the Chinese line, which was |
now engaged on both wings.
Meanwhile the Hiyei and Akagi. Japa- /
lively engaged. got in trouble. They were |
slow. and in endeavoring to avoid the !
Chinese the Hiyei caught FIRE. Perceiv- |
ing the danger Ito ordered the flying /
TO her aid and the cruisers enh- |
gagged her so fercely that the Chinese /
were forced to withdraw
Already broken. the Chinese line fell /.
into the greatest disorder The Ching
Yuen was sunk, two more took fire and
four started for the coast, pursued by the
flying squadron. which cut of and sank
The Ting Yuen. The capture Of the other
ships was an easy task.
The most significant thing was the dead
y havoc of these modern engines Of war
The story OF Captain Philo N McGinen's
experience on the Chin Yuen is well
Known. He was an American and fought
1ravely and desperately. although receiv-
ng little support from his cowardly and
crew of Chinese. While Ad-
niral Linn. the nominal commander, was
n his cabin praying 10 his gods. with
intrepid courage McGiffen sought 70 in
pire his men with the same spirit, and
With scores OF men torn TO shreds about
lin, his abdomen torn by piece of shell
wo great wounds in his head. and blood
lowing from a dozen other friEhtful
ashes, he stuck TO his guns. McGifen
avs that scores of the men on his ship
we're deafened by the conclusions Of their
WI shots and he himself lost the mem
ranes Of both ears.
On Ito's flagship. the Mstsusima, the
onditions were not much better. When
ding into action her gunnery Lieutenant
1ustered sixty-two men al the various
arteries. An hour later only six OF that
lumber were unintured. The state Of the .
eek is described as terrible running with
lood. while here and there were the man :
led bodies Of the dead and dying. The
lost effective shot OF the Chinese was
ne directed by McGihen that struck the :
scond barbette gun on the Etarboard side -
{ the Matsusima. All o. the cabins in -
lat part Of the ship were wrecked by the
Cplosion. many men were killed and :,
ounded and nothing was left OF the gun :,
cry lieutenant except his hat and tsle- -
;ope. Another shell started a confzEra-
OF. which was extinEuished with some =
Gicuity.
Admirable pluck characterized the cor =
let Of the japanese who fought with .
eat bravery. II was with Difficulty that
oUnded men were persuaded 20 leave :,
eir posts. and when ordered below for =
Irgicsi aid they frequently FASTENED 20 I "a
-ck with their wounds but half dressed ( ,