394, OCHINO-JAPANESE WAR. 
On the 8rd February a bombardment went on during most of the 
day between the Japanese ships and Rokakushi and Ryobioshi forts on 
the one side, and the Chinese ships and island forts on the other, but 
very little damage was done. During the night some torpedo-boats 
were sent in to try and cut the boom which stretched across the 
eastern entrance of the harbour, but they were unsuccessful—they 
were found out by the Chinese guard boats and only managed to cut 
one wire of the boom. They discovered, however, that it was possible 
for boats to pass round the south end of the boom close to the shore, 
though the rocks made the passage very difficult. In consequence of 
this, Admiral Ito gave orders for a torpedo-boat attack on the following 
night. 
The second flotilla of six boats and the third flotilla of four boats left 
Three Peak bay at 2 a.m. on the 5th—the third flotilla leading. They 
moved in single column line ahead to the boom and the third flotilla 
passed into the harbour successfully, but only the leading boat of the 
second flotilla followed. All the others got amongst the rocks. Even- 
tually, however, three of these also got in. By this time all order in 
the second flotilla was lost and the boats acted independently and as it 
was getting late moved straight towards the Chinese ships. They 
were discovered by the guard boats and firing soon became general. 
The boats of the flotilla, which were inside the harbour, were numbers 
8, 9, 19 and 21. Number 21 found number 8 with a damaged 
propellor and towed her out of harbour. Number 9 steered for a two- 
masted ship and discharged her torpedo, but almost simultaneously 
was hit bya shell from the ship, which smashed the funnel and pierced 
the boiler, killing four men and wounding four others. Number 19 
found her in this condition and, taking off the survivors, towed her 
over to the southern shore. The third flotilla meanwhile had taken 
advantage of all this and had steamed quietly along westwards till it 
was in the southern part of the harbour. The boats had then turned 
to starboard and steered for the western point of Liu-kung-tao island. 
Suddenly a flashing of lights and discharge of rockets showed that they 
were discovered and a tremendous fire of guns and rifles was brought 
to bear on them. They kept steadily on, however, and managed to dis- 
charge six torpedoes before they retired. On the way out number 22 
was chased and ran on the rocks in front of Ryobioshi fort. When 
day broke, two Chinese cruisers, several gun boats, seven torpedo-boats 
and all the island forts within range opened fire on this unfortunate 
wreck. She was hit several times, and one shot killed a sub-lieutenant 
and a seaman who were most pluckily fighting the quick-firing gun on 
board. The Japanese forts of course opened fire to defend the boat 
and at 8 a.m. the Chinese ships withdrew. 
In the afternoon a small boat was sent into the harbour to the wreck 
from outside and took off a lieutenant and four men. 
About four o’clock the Japanese were much pleased to see the Ting 
Yuen heel over and gradually settle down in the water; she had been 
hit probably by number 22 boat, but had kept afloat up to 4 o’clock in 
the afternoon. 
The next night the first flotilla was ordered to attack, This 
