Battle of Chemulpo Bay
Part of the Russo-Japanese War
Sinking of the Varyag at Chemulpo
Date 9 February 1904 Location off Chemulpo Bay, Korea Result Japanese victory
Combatants
Empire of Japan	Russian Empire
Commanders
Uryu Sotokichi	Vsevolod Rudnev
Strength
4 cruisers	1 cruiser, 1 gunboat
Casualties
no casualties reported by japanese, about 30 by russian sources	37 killed, 73 wounded; both ships scuttled after the battle

The Battle of Chemulpo Bay (Japanese: 仁川沖海戦, Jinsen'oki kaisen, Russian: Битва в заливе Чемульпо) was an early naval battle in the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), which took place on 9 February 1904 off the coast of present day Inchon, Korea. Combatants Imperial Russia Empire of Japan Commanders N/A N/A Strength 500,000 Soldiers 400,000 Soldiers Casualties 134,817+ KIA/POW, 170,000 MIA etc. ... Image File history File links Battle_of_Chemulpo. ... February 9 is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1904 (MCMIV) was a leap year starting on a Friday (see link for calendar). ... Incheon Metropolitan City is a metropolitan city and major seaport on the west coast of South Korea, near Seoul. ... Korea (Korean: 한국 or ì¡°ì„ , see below) is a geographic area, civilization, and former state situated on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. ... Image File history File links Naval_Ensign_of_Japan. ... Anthem: Kimi Ga Yo Imperial Reign Slogan: Fukoku Kyohei Enrich the Country, Strengthen the Military Imperial Japan at its fullest extent during World War II Capital Tokyo Government Constitutional monarchy Emperor  - 1852-1912 Emperor Meiji  - 1912-1926 Emperor Taishō  - 1926-1989 Emperor Shōwa Prime Minister (many other Prime Ministers... Image File history File links Naval_Ensign_of_Russia. ... Anthem: God Save the Tsar! Russian Empire in 1913 Capital Saint Petersburg Language(s) Russian Government Monarchy Emperor  - 1721-1725 Peter the Great  - 1894-1917 Nicholas II History  - Established 22 October, 1721  - February Revolution 2 March, 1917 Area  - 1897 22,400,000 km2 8,648,688 sq mi Population  - 1897... Sotokichi Uryu ) (2 January 1857 – 11 November 1937) was an early admiral of the Imperial Japanese Navy, active in the Russo-Japanese War, most notably at the Battle of Chemulpo Bay and the Battle of Tsushima. ... Combatants Imperial Russia Empire of Japan Commanders N/A N/A Strength 500,000 Soldiers 400,000 Soldiers Casualties 134,817+ KIA/POW, 170,000 MIA etc. ... The Battle of Port Arthur (February 9, 1904) was the opening battle of the Russo-Japanese War. ... The Battle of Yalu River took place from April 30 to May 1, 1904, and was the first major land battle during the Russo-Japanese War. ... The Battle of Nanshan was one of many vicious land battles of the Russo-Japanese War. ... The Battle of Te-li-Ssu was fought on June 14 and June 15 of 1904 between Russian and Japanese forces. ... The Battle of the Yellow Sea was the first main naval engagement of the Russo-Japanese War, being fought on August 10, 1904. ... Combatants Japan Russia Commanders Vice Admiral Hikonojo Kamimura Rear Admiral Nikolai Essen Strength 4 armored cruisers, 2 protected cruisers 3 armored cruisers Casualties minimal casualties with 1 armored cruiser suffering slight damage heavy casualties and 1 cruiser destroyed with two cruisers suffering heavy damage The naval Battle off Ulsan, also... The Siege of Port Arthur (1 August 1904-2 January 1905), the Russian deepwater port and naval base at the tip of the Liaotung Peninsula (See Map below the Battlebox) in Manchuria was one of the longest and most vicious battles during the Russo-Japanese War. ... Combatants Japan Russia Commanders General Kuroki Tamemoto General Count Fedor Keller Strength 25,000 General Count Fedor Keller had assumed command of the Russian Eastern Force from General Zasulich after the Battle of Yalu River. ... Combatants Japan Russia Commanders General Yasukata Oku Lieutenant General Georgii Stakelberg Lieutenant General Nikolai Zarubaev Strength 20,000 Casualties 1,000 (estimated) 1,000 (estimated) The Battle of Tashihchiao (Jpn. ... Combatants Japan Russia Commanders General Nozu Michitsura Lieutenant General Mikhail Zasulich Casualties 836 1550 The Battle of Hsimucheng was a minor land engagement of the Russo-Japanese War. ... The Battle of Liaoyang (August 24, 1904 - September 4, 1904) was one of the major battles of the Russo-Japanese War. ... Combatants Japan Russia Commanders Oyama Iwao Alexei Kuropatkin Strength 150,000 210,000 Casualties 20,345 killed, wounded or captured 44,351 killed, wounded or captured The Battle of Shaho was a land battle of the Russo-Japanese War fought along a 37-mile front centered at the Sha River... Battle of Sandepu Conflict Russo-Japanese War Date January 25 and January 26, 1905 Place Near Mukden in Manchuria Result Draw The Battle of Sandepu, (also known as the Battle of Heikoutai) was a major land battle of the Russo-Japanese War. ... Combatants Empire of Japan Empire of Russia Commanders Field Marshal Oyama Iwao General Alexei Kuropatkin Strength About 207,300 About 291,000 Casualties 15,892 killed; 59,612 wounded 20,000 killed; 49,000 wounded; 20,000 captured The Battle of Mukden, the last major land battle of the Russo... Combatants Japan Russia Commanders Heihachiro Togo Zinovi Rozhdestvenski Nikolai Nebogatov Strength 4 battleships, 27 cruisers, in addition to destroyers and auxiliary vessels 8 battleships, 3 coastal battleships, 8 cruisers Casualties 117 dead, 583 injured, 3 torpedo boats sunk 4380 dead, 5917 injured 21 ships sunk, 7 captured, 6 disarmed The... The French battleship Orient burns, 1 August 1798, during the Battle of the Nile A naval battle is a battle fought using ships or other waterborne vessels. ... Combatants Imperial Russia Empire of Japan Commanders N/A N/A Strength 500,000 Soldiers 400,000 Soldiers Casualties 134,817+ KIA/POW, 170,000 MIA etc. ... Year 1904 (MCMIV) was a leap year starting on a Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1905 (MCMV) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... February 9 is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1904 (MCMIV) was a leap year starting on a Friday (see link for calendar). ... Incheon Metropolitan City is a metropolitan city and major seaport on the west coast of South Korea, near Seoul. ... Korea (Korean: 한국 or ì¡°ì„ , see below) is a geographic area, civilization, and former state situated on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. ...

Background

The opening stage of the Russo-Japanese War began with a pre-emptive strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the Russian Pacific Fleet based at Port Arthur, Vladivostok and at Chemulpo (now part of Inchon, Korea. Command of the Chemulpo operation was given to Rear Admiral Uryu Sotokichi, with six cruisers and 2500 ground troops. Combatants Imperial Russia Empire of Japan Commanders N/A N/A Strength 500,000 Soldiers 400,000 Soldiers Casualties 134,817+ KIA/POW, 170,000 MIA etc. ... Most often used to describe a military attack which is designed to prevent, or reduce the impact of, an anticipated attack from an enemy. ... The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) (: 大日本帝國海軍 Shinjitai: 大日本帝国海軍   or 日本海軍 Nippon Kaigun), officially Navy of Empire of Greater Japan, also known as the Japanese Navy or Combined Fleet was the Navy of Empire of Japan from 1869 until 1947, when it was dissolved following Japans constitutional renunciation of the use of force... Pacific Fleet (Тихоокеанский флот in Russian, or Tikhookeanskiy flot), a part of the Soviet Navy stationed in the Pacific Ocean, which secured the Far Eastern borders of the USSR. The fleet headquarters was located at... Location within China Lüshun city or Lüshunkou or (literally) Lüshun Port (Simplified Chinese: 旅顺口; Traditional Chinese: 旅順口; Pinyin: , formerly in historic references both Port Arthur and Ryojun, is a town in the southernmost administrative district of Dalian of the Peoples Republic of China. ... Vladivostok (Russian: ) is the administrative center of Primorsky Krai, Russia, situated close to the Russo-Sino border and North Korea. ... Incheon Metropolitan City is a metropolitan city and major seaport on the west coast of South Korea, near Seoul. ... Korea (Korean: 한국 or ì¡°ì„ , see below) is a geographic area, civilization, and former state situated on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. ... The term Rear Admiral originated from the days of Naval Sailing Squadrons, and can trace its origins to the British Royal Navy. ... Sotokichi Uryu ) (2 January 1857 – 11 November 1937) was an early admiral of the Imperial Japanese Navy, active in the Russo-Japanese War, most notably at the Battle of Chemulpo Bay and the Battle of Tsushima. ... USS Port Royal (CG-73), a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser (really an uprated guided missile destroyer), launched in 1992. ...

Chemulpo also had strategic significance, as it was the main port for the Korean capital of Seoul, and was also the main invasion route used previously by Japanese forces in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894. However, Chemulpo, with its wide tidal bore, extensive mudflats, and narrow, winding channels, posed a number of tactical challenges for both attackers and defenders. Seoul (Sŏul[1] 서울)   is the capital and largest city of South Korea (Republic of Korea). ... There were two wars known as the Sino-Japanese War (between China and Japan): The First Sino-Japanese War occurred between 1894 and 1895, primarily over control of Korea. ... The tidal bore in Upper Cook Inlet, Alaska A tidal bore (or just bore, or eagre) is a tidal phenomenon in which the leading edge of the incoming tide forms a wave (or waves) of water that travel up a river or narrow bay against the direction of the current. ...

The protected cruiser Chiyoda had been based at Chemulpo for the past 10 months, and had been keeping watch on the Russian armoured cruiser Varyag and aging gunboat Korietz, also based at Chemulpo to look after Russian interests. Chiyoda (千代田) was one of the Imperial Japanese Navys first armored cruisers. ... The armored cruiser was a naval cruiser protected by armor on its sides as well as on the decks and gun positions. ... Cruiser Varyag (also spelled Variag; see Varangian for the meaning of the name) (Russian: ) was a Russian protected cruiser gone down to the military history of Russia. ...

On the morning of 8 February 1904, the Chiyoda rendezvoused with the Admiral Uryu’s squadron outside the entrance to Chemulpo, and reported that several warships from neutral countries were present in the anchorage, including: HMS Talbot (Great Britain), Pascal (France), Elba (Italy) and USS Vicksburg (USA). Admiral Uryu reasoned that if the Russians remained anchored in the midst of the neutral ships, they could not attack his transports, whereas if the Russians came out to do battle, he had ample force to deal with them. On the other hand, it was against international law to attack the Russians while they were anchored in a neutral port. At the same time he requested the captains of the HMS Talbot, the Pascal and the Elba to shift their anchorage, promising that no attack should be delivered before 4 p.m. An American warship USS Vicksburg was also present, but she was further up the harbour. February 8 is the 39th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1904 (MCMIV) was a leap year starting on a Friday (see link for calendar). ... Neutral means balanced between two or more opposites. ... Three ships of the United States Navy have borne the name USS Vicksburg, named in honor of the city Vicksburg, Mississippi, and/or the Civil War Battle of Vicksburg (1863). ... International law (also called public international law to distinguish from private international law, i. ... Three ships of the United States Navy have borne the name USS Vicksburg, named in honor of the city Vicksburg, Mississippi, and/or the Civil War Battle of Vicksburg (1863). ...

The Battle

Admiral Uryu ordered the cruisers Chiyoda, Takachiho, Asama and his torpedo boats to proceed up the channel with the troopships to commence the debarkation at once, while the cruisers Naniwa, Niitaka and Akashi were held in reserve. Category: ... The Asama (浅間) was the lead ship in an early class of armored cruisers of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... A torpedo boat is a relatively small and fast naval ship designed to launch torpedoes at larger surface ships. ... USS John Land (AP-167) in San Francisco Bay sometime in 1945-46; soldiers crowd the decks in anticipation of homecoming. ... The Naniwa (Japanese:浪速) was an 1885 cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... The Niitaka (新高) was an protected cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy, designed and built in Japan by the Yokosuka Naval Yards. ... The Akashi (明石) was an protected cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy, designed and built by the Yokosuka shipyards in Japan. ...

At 1800 on 8 February 1904, Japanese troopships anchored at Chemulpo, mooring next to the Russians, and disembarked four battalions of soldiers of the 12th Army Division in an operation that continued into the night. To the amazement of the tense Japanese, the Varyag and Korietz took no action, but continued to air out bunting as if on parade. The disembarkation was complete by 0300 on 9 February 1904, and all Japanese warships and transports withdrew from the harbor except for the Chiyoda. February 8 is the 39th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1904 (MCMIV) was a leap year starting on a Friday (see link for calendar). ... February 9 is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1904 (MCMIV) was a leap year starting on a Friday (see link for calendar). ...

The latter delivered a letter to the Varyag advising that a state of war now existed between the Empires of Japan and Russia, and giving an ultimatum for the Russians to vacate the harbor by noon. Neutral warships were warned to stay clear of any conflict that might arise. At noon an officer came to Naniwa from the HMS Talbot, to decline the request to change anchorage on the ground that Chemulpo was a neutral port, but the neutral vessels otherwise refused to provide protection or assistance to the Varyag. A Declaration of War is a formal declaration issued by a national government indicating that a state of war exists between that nation, and one or more others. ...

Refusing advice to surrender, at 1100 on 9 February 1904, the Varyag attempted to make a break for the open sea. February 9 is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1904 (MCMIV) was a leap year starting on a Friday (see link for calendar). ...

From the "Varayg" logbook:

• 1110 All hands on deck on "Varyag".
• 1120 Cruiser goes to open sea. "Korietz" in 1 cable lenght behind. English and italian crews cheers russians, at italian ship russian anthem is played.
• 1125 Battle alarm on "Varyag". Japanese cruisers «Asama», «Naniva», «Takashiho», «Chiyoda», «Akashi» и «Niitaka» in bearing line from Richy island to Nothern passage. Japanese Torpedo-boats behind cruisers.
• 1145 «Asama» opens fire with 8" gun. All japanese squadron than open fire.
• 1147 "Varyag" opens fire with starboard guns.
• One of the first japanese shells, that hit cruiser, destroyed starboard wing of front bridge, set fire in chart house and break foreshrouds. Petty navigating officer midshipman count Alexey Nirod was killed, all personell on rangefinding station #1 was killed or wounded.
• Damaged 6" gun #3, all personell killed or wounded, battery commander midshipman Gubonin was wounded, but refused to go away until he fall. Fire on quarterdeck (was put out by midshipman Chernilovsky-Sokol). With the same shell, that caused fire was damaged guns: 6" #8 and #9, 75mm #21 47mm #27 and #28. With other hits was nearly destroyed main battle top, destroyed rangefinding station #2, damaged guns #31 and #32, fire in lockers on accommodation deck (was put out lively).

Unable to break past the Japanese squadron by mid-afternoon, the Korietz and the badly battered Varyag returned back to Chemulpo harbor, where both took refuge near the neutral warships. At 1600, the Korietz was scuttled by its crew by blowing up two powder-rooms. At the 1810, holed and on fire, the Varyag rolled over on its port side and sank. Men were dispatched to the Russian transport Sungari, which had remained behind in the harbor during the battle, and set it on fire to prevent it from falling into Japanese hands.

Outcome

The battle of was a complete military victory for the Japanese, who suffered no casualties during the entire engagement. Russian casualties on the Varyag were heavy. Many of the Russian wounded were treated at the Japanese hospital and Red Cross hospital at Chemulpo, with more serious cases receiving medical care in Japan, thus providing the Japanese government with an important propaganda victory as well. Wounded and unwounded prisoners were returned to Russia under parole. The Anarchist Black Cross was originally called the Anarchist Red Cross. The band Redd Kross was originally called Red Cross. This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... An Australian anti-conscription propaganda poster from World War One Propaganda is a type of message aimed at influencing the opinions or behavior of people. ...

References

• Connaughton, Richard (2003). Rising Sun and Tumbling Bear. Cassell. ISBN 0-304-36657-9
• Nish, Ian (1985). The Origins of the Russo-Japanese War. Longman. ISBN 0-582-49114-2
• Kowner, Rotem (2006). Historical Dictionary of the Russo-Japanese War. Scarecrow. ISBN 0-8108-4927-5
• Sedwick, F.R. (1909). The Russo-Japanese War. Macmillan.

External links

• The Papers of William A. Marshall, 1876-1906 (Library of Congress)
• Russo-Japanese War research society