Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-03-03

ana the fierce naval engagement fol.
lowing 1t recalls the sea fight off Hal
Yang, better known as the battle of
faiu, fought Sept. II, 1894, in which
the Japanese, after five hours of CON
t1nuous fighting, succeeded in sinking
three OF the chinese ships, two cruis
ers and an iron-clad, and in setting on
hre three more-the Ting Yuen the
Lal Yuen, and the Kwang CHA.
In view of the fact that history
seems to have repeated itself in more
than one particular in the recent bat
tie 1t is interesting to read the ac-
count OF the Hal Yang engagement as
related by Commander Philo n. Nc.
Griffin, the American officer in COM
mand of the Chinese ironclad Chen
Yuen at the time.
The opposing forces consisted of
twelve ships on the Japanese side
one small gunboat and another
converted merchantman-an of
twelve ships on the Chinese side
two ironclads, two armored cruisers.
two protected cruisers, two torpedo
cruisers, two Armstrong cruisers, a
coast defense ship and corvette.
Monday, the memorable 18th of
September, was a beautiful day."
says Commander McGriffin in his ac-
count of the days events; "a light
breeze gently ruffied the surface OF
the water. The forenoon passed as
usual. AT 9:15 each ship went to
general quarters, cleared for action.
and for an hour exercised the crews
at the guns. no one dreaming that
the results of our training were so
soon to be tested
When the bugles sounded action
but little remained to be done save to
lower to the deck the ventilators or
wind sails, to close the scuttles. wat
er-tight doors, etc, and go to stations.
The Chen Yuen's forenoon routine
had been carried out and the cooks
were preparing the midday meal
when the smoke from the enemy's
ships was sighted by the lookout men
at the masthead; and before even a
signal could be made from the flag
ship the bugles throughout the fleet
were sounding merrily the officers
cal and action
In far less time than it takes to
read these lines signals had been
made from the Ting Yuen to weigh
Immediately. and never were cables
shortened in and anchors weighed
more speedily. The old Chao Yung
and Yang Wei, being always longer
in weighing anchor. were left astern.
AS the two fleets approached each
other officers and men eagerly strain
ed their eyes towards the magnifi-
cent fleet Of their country's heredft-
airy zoe. and on all sides there were
and confidence.
The Japanese formed into two
sGuadrons, a flying squadron of four
ships and a principal squadron OF six
ships, with a gunboat and converted
merchantmen inside.
The twenty-four ships, trim and
fresh in their paint and their bright
new bunting, and gay with futtering
signal flags, presented such a holiday
aspect that one found difficulty in re-
-aIizing that they were not there sim
ply for a friendly meeting. On the
Chen Yuen dark-skinned men with
queues tightly coiled around their
heads and with arms barred to the ell
bow, clustered along the decks in
groups at the guns. waiting impatient
ly. Sand was sprinkled on the decks,
and more was kept handy against the
time when they might become Slip
perry. Here and there a man lay fat
on deck with charge of powder in
his arms waiting to spring up and
pass it on when it would be wanted.
THE fleets closed on each other
rapidly My crew was silent. The
suh-lieutenant in the military foretop
was taking sextant angles and an
nouncing the range. AS each range
was called the men at the guns would
lower the sight bars, each gun cap
tain, lanyard in hand. keeping his
gun trained on the enemy. Through
the ventflators could be heard the
beats of steam pumps. for all the lines
o. hose were Joined up and spouting
water, so that in case of fire no time
would be lost The range was about
kour miles and decreasing fast. six
ousand meters Five thousand
ght hundred Six hundred Five
2dred' Five thousand four hun
The crisis was rapidly approach
Every mans nerves were in
he OF tension. which was greatly
eved as huge cloud of white
le belching from the Ting Yuen's
pard barbette opened the ball.
as the pTojectiles threw up
o. white water a little short
limo. a rear from the Chen
cry seconded the flag
u It was exactly 1920
range as.found on the
$500 meters. On our
now became general
batteries. but it was
es before the Japan