The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-26


Il. Yesterday June Is, the same for
eign naval officers signed compact that
1t was necessary to take temporary pos
session of the Taku forts; and notice was
served on the Viceroy at Tientsin and on
the commandant of the forts. Consuls at
Tientsin were informed OF what was con-
templated. l did not JOIN in the attack
on the forts. Captain Wise, Of the Mono
cacy, had orders to protect American in
terests, based upon Department orders, but
in case of attack by the Chinese Govern
ment force, he was to consider it as a
declaration of war and act accordingly.
Very respectfully,
LOUIS KEMPFF,
"Rear Admiral U. S. Navy, Second in
Command U. S. Naval Force, Asiatic
Station.
.To the Secretary of the Navy, Navy
Department Washington, D. c.
How the Battle Was Fought.
TU. S. Flagship Newark. Taku. China,
June Is, 1900.
"sir: I have the honor to report as fol-
lows:
THE commanding officers of the gunboats
In the river met Oh the afternoon of June
i6, and agreed for the senior officer of the
Eunboats to direct the movement. This off,
Der happened TO be Russian. The Eos!-
lions for the various gunboats were then
assigned, taking positions in the seeoni
reach of the river above north fort. Inc
Eunboats participating were the horeetZ,
Guilak Bobr, Russian; Its German; L.ol,
French: Algerine, English. The English
torpedo boat destroyers Fame and WHIT
ing, joined in the latter part, after securing
the captured torpedo boats near Torgku.
The Japanese gunboat claimed that her eE-
gInes were disabled, so she remained mcored
near Tongku, and was assigned charge Of
the railroad station at that place. The
United States ship Monocacy being under
orders, remained moored at Tongku, and
took no part in the action. Many foreign
srs were afforded shelter and protection
during the night. copy OF the report OF
the commanding officer of the Monocacy Is
herewith enclosed.
1.-THE vessels. except the Iltis. took their
assigned positions early IN the evening of
the 18th instant, and at about 1855 o'c.ock
q m. one hour before the expiration OF the
time limit, all the fort guns which could
be trained on the ships fred sinultane-
eusly, many shots striking the Ko-eetz.
1.-THE vessels returned the fire with a
rapid fire from their guns which, with the
exception of the guns of six-inch calibre,
were all Of the smaller rapid hre type.
'"The guns on the north fort were chief
h47 inch while the south fort has num-
Der of guns from six 10 eight inches in
calIbre.
'srhe Algerine having aboard a landing
party of some $50 men Immediately put
them ashore. A portion Of them advanced
through Taku to the navy yard and took
BY surprise four new modern torpedo boats.
carving TWO tubes and six 3-poundeTs each
and conveyed by the Fame and Whiting,
took them TO Tongku. The other landing
parties and the remainder of the English,
aggregating some $50 men, awaited an OPP
perfume time for assault. The firing con-
tiuued with more or less spirit until day
Hight when it became very rapid and active
and 4 is reported, very disastrous to the
Chinese About 4:30 a shell entered the
magazine OF the Guilak, blowing 1t up
causing her TO make water and burning
forty-seven men more OF less severely. She
got over an awning las a collision matt
and after a few hours work was floating
ct her normal height
Japanese Captain Killed.
AT about a m. the gunboats having
silenced the northwest fort landing force
charged and occupied it, where hosting
the flag a few casualties occurred, notably
the captain of the japanese landing part!
and one English sailor killed and seyera
wounded. The Chinese then abandoned
north fort which is Joined to the northwest
fort by a protected passage. After abou
two hours more the south forts were ia
ken. after the explosion Of the magazine
Most Of the occupants fed, but were not
pursued. Some thirty or forty were founC
hiding in various parts OF the fort The
various nations participating holsted theil
flags on the various fagstaffs.
The forts being Of thick mud and gras
were but little damaged by the gun fire
although they received host Of proiec
tiles The guns and gun-shields, a rule
were not damaged. Two or three OF tn
modern guns were disabled.
dead Chinese were I'd
but it is estimated by eyewitnesses tina
some 200 dead were left in the fort.
THE loss on the side Of the allied force
was, as nearly as possible, as follows:
'Algerine, one officer very badly injured
eight men wounded.
Tits, captain very badly injured; thre
Or four men killed, six or eight wounded.
"Koreetz, two officers badly wounded
eight men dead, twelve wounded.
"Guilak, one officer badly wounded, eigh
men killed, ten wounded, fOrty-seye
burned by explosion Of powder room.
Lion, one man killed, one badly wound
cd
other vessels engaged, injuries Of nj
hor Importance.
THE above is an account CLEANED fror
conversations with officers engaged, bu
may contain minor inaccuracies.
During the engagement guns wer
turned on the Monocacy, which was out {
The line Of fire. She was struck mo cas-
ualties) and was forced 10 withdraw Il
the river. Very respectfully,
LOUIS KEMPFF,
"Rear Admiral U. s. Navy, Second
Command, U. S. Naval Forces. AS
attic Station.
ITO the Secretary Of the Navy. Nav
Department, Washington, d. c."
United States Monocacy, Third Rate,
"Tongku. China. June II, 1900.
''slr: have the honor TO report upon III
occurrences since yesterday noon. / a.
tended a meeting OF officers at ocloc
y, n. on board the Borbora. ! was show
The protocol and ultinatum as to the TAX
forts. The signatures 10 the documer
we're photographic, and as yours was NJ
appended. informed the senior officer III: