Battle of Sacheon (1592)
Sacheon, South Gyeongsang, South Korea
What happened
The Joseon navy under Admiral Yi Sun-shin and Wŏn Kyun fought a Japanese fleet during the Japanese invasion of Korea. Yi Sun-shin found Japanese ships near Sacheon, where cliffs gave the Japanese gunners an advantage. He pulled back into open water, and when the Japanese followed, the Korean ships turned and attacked as evening came. The Japanese ships in the fight were destroyed.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the first battle in which Yi used the turtle ship, a covered warship named for its shell-like roof. The defeat worried the Japanese command at Busan about its supply ships from Japan.
What came next
It opened Admiral Yi's second campaign. His turtle ships went on to help win many more battles at sea.
Did you know?
Yi Sun-shin was hit by a bullet in this battle, but it only grazed his left arm.
Timeline
- 1592Japan invades Korea.
- 8 July 1592Battle of Sacheon, first battle use of the turtle ship.
- 1592–1598Turtle ships fight in many battles of the war.