The main squadron also deviated, the bold Yoshino leading and bearing the brunt of a terrible fire from the foe. But they outflanked the Chinese thus early, and the Chinese weaker ships, which had been placed at each end, were skilfully riddled, and the Yang-Wei was soon in flames.
Ito had meant to sweep right round the left flank of the enemy, and the flying squadron had already ported to do so. But seeing two new Chinamen and six torpedo boats coming up to join, the flying squadron attacked these and they fled.
And now the main squadron swept past the Chinese right, and soon had another of their ships on fire.
It will be seen how pitiable it is to have ships in action of unequal speed, when I tell you that the Japanese Hiyei had to lag behind. She was 2200 tons, but, exposed to the Chinese line, would soon have been sunk, had not her brave commander instead of passing along this fearful line of fire boldly dashed through the enemy's centre. Fortune favours the brave, and this vessel escaped even the torpedoes; but alas! when she rejoined her squadron she was in flames. She signalled to that effect, and a brave little ship, but slow, steamed to her assistance. Oh, the pluck of this bold wee Akaji! Mind, she was little over five hundred tons.[[1]] She was chased by a Chinaman double her size, her commander was killed, her steam-pipe destroyed, still she fought like a fiend, and when her main-mast was carried away she hoisted her flag upon the stump. But at last this brave wee Jap set her foe on fire, and the duel ended. The Akaji and Hiyei, however, were still in great danger, and other Chinamen took up the pursuit.
[[1]] The Akaji has not been reckoned in line of battle, nor the Saikio Maru.
Admiral Ito ordered the flying squadron to their assistance, and some terribly hot work ensued at 2.30 P.M. For the Jap called the Saikio Maru, was catching it very hot between two fires, while a torpedo boat crossing her bows launched at her two torpedoes, both missing their mark. Down crashed the flying squadron and turned the odds, so the three weaklings of the Jap fleet escaped and got out of battle and reach.
Then the two squadrons swept round the Chinamen in opposite directions. The two Japanese fleets have now closed upon the foe on both sides, and
"The battle rages loud and long".
It was then that the two flag-ships Matsushima and the Chinese Ting-Yuen faced each other, and fought the most fearful naval duel of modern times.