I.
Matsushima. Itsukushima.
Hashidate. Chiyoda
II.
Fuso. Hi-Yei.
Takao. Yayeyama.
III.
Yoshino. Naniwa.
Akitsushima. Takachiho.
IV.
Two divisions of 5 torpedo boats each,
and some gunboats inshore.
[This fleet moved parallel with the army on shore, and occasionally
shelled the Chinese.]
On the 21st the fleet steamed past the harbour entrance, about seven
miles out. They then detached the Chiyoda, which went to Pigeon Bay,
and shelled Port Arthur at extreme range till 4 p.m.
At that time the Chinese fired at the fleet without result, till a
heavy squall came on, in the midst of which the torpedo boats rushed
the harbour. Excellently manœuvred, they got in untouched, and shelled
the disorganised Chinese in the town. Outside, the Japanese soldiers
were carrying fort after fort, the defence being poor, as the Chinese
grew panic-stricken.
“THE MASSACRE AT PORT ARTHUR.”
Then followed the Port Arthur massacre, horrible stories of which
flooded the world for the next few days. It has been strenuously
denied that any massacre took place, but this is not correct. Few, if
any, civilians were killed; there were next to none in the place, the
supposed dead civilians being Chinese soldiers, who had discarded the
overcoats, which were the only uniform they had, in order to continue
the fight on guerilla lines. But very little quarter was given.