The Savannah morning news., 1904-02-13

The attack on Port Arthur and the
fierce naval engagement following 1t
recall the sea fight off Hal Yang, bet
ter known as the battle of the Yalu,
fought Sept. II. 1894, and in which the
Japanese, after five hours of continu-
Gus fighting. succeeded in sinking three
of the Chinese ships, two cruisers and
an ironclad, and in setting on fire three
more-the Ting Yuen, the Lai Yuen
and the Kwang CHA.
In view of the fact that history
seems to have repeated itself in more
than one particular in the Port Ar
thur battle it is interesting to read the
account of the Hal Yang engagement
as related by Commander Philo N. Nc
Giffin, the American officer in COM
nand of the Chinese ironclad Chen
YGen at the time.
Japan Versus China.
The opposing forces consisted of
twelve ships on the japanese side.
one a small gunboat and another a
converted northumberland of twelve
ships on the Chinese side--two iron
clads, two armored cruisers, two pro-
tected cruisers. two torpedo cruisers,
two Armstrong cruisers, a coast de-
Tense ship. and a corvette.
Monday, the memorable nth of Sep
TENDER, was a beautiful day." says
Commander McGffin in his account of
the days events; "a light breeze gent
~ ruffled the surface of the water.
The forenoon passed as usual. At 9:15
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. All
boats had been left behind, save one
six-oared gig for each vessel. In case
of disaster. quarter was not expected,
nor was surrender contemplated.
Abide the Fate of the ships.
THE fate of the ships was to be the
fate of the crew. The heavy steel
gunshields, one-tnch thick. and over
thirty feet in diameter. which covered
the two pairs of 0.5-centimeter Q2.2-
ineh) Krupps on the ironclads had been
removed. All unnecessary wood work.
rigging, etc, had been taken away;
the side wings of the bridge cut off:
all handrails and ladders removed, and
rope or wire life lines and jacobs lad
ders substituted where possible. The
ships had been painted an invisible
gray Hammocks were placed as
small protection to the men at the
quick-firing guns, and within the SUI
perstructure sand-bags were piled along
the sides about three feet deep and
four feet high. Lying inside OF these,
on deck, were kept some dozens of 100
pound shot and shell for the 6-inch
guns, to promote quick service. Coal
in bags was also utilized for protec-
ton when possible.
Bugles Sounded Action.
"When the bugles sounded action but
little remained to be done save to lower
to the deck the ventilators or wind
sales, to close the scuttles, water-tight
doors, ETC.. and go to stations. The
Chen Yuens forenoon routine had been
carried out and the cooks were pre-
pairing the midday meal when the
smoke from the enemys ships was
sighted by the lookout men at the
masthead: and before even a signal
could be made from the flag ship the
hugles throughout the fleet were sound
ing merrilv the officers call and 'ac-
tion.'
I'm far less time than it takes to
read these lines signals had been made
from the Ting Yuen to weigh imme-
diately.' and never were cables short
ened in ard 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 strained their eyes
o,I ~ fbair
country's hereditary foe, and on all
sides there were animation and conf
dence.
Forming for Battle.
THE Japanese formed into two
squadrons, a flying squadron of four
ships and a principal squadron Of six
ships, with gunboat and converted
merchantmen inside.
THE twenty-four ships, trim and
fresh in their paint and their bright
new bunting, and gay with fiuttering
signal flags, presented such a holi-
day aspect that one found difficulty in
realizing that they were not there
simply for 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 inpatient
ly. Sand was sDrinkled on the decks
and more was kept handy against the
time when they might become slip
perry Here and there man lay fiat
on deck with a charge Of powder IN
his arms waiting to spring up and
pass It on when 1t would be wanted.
Fleets Come Together.
THE fleets closed on, each other
rapidly. My crew was silent. The
sub-iietenant In the military foretop
was taking sextant angles ands am
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 ventilators could be heard the
beats Of the steam pumps, Tor ali the