Battle off Ulsan
Sea off Ulsan, South Korea
What happened
A Japanese cruiser squadron under Vice Admiral Kamimura Hikonojō fought three Russian armoured cruisers from Vladivostok under Rear Admiral Karl Jessen. During the Russo-Japanese War, Russian cruisers from Vladivostok sailed to help their fleet break out of Port Arthur, then turned back. Kamimura's squadron met them at dawn and concentrated its fire on the Rurik, the slowest Russian ship. The Rurik was sunk by its own crew, and the other two cruisers escaped badly damaged.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The damaged Russian ships were too much for Vladivostok's repair yards. The Vladivostok squadron never threatened Japanese shipping again.
What came next
Kamimura was hailed as a hero in Japan. The Japanese rescued about 625 sailors from the Rurik.
Did you know?
Britain had built two large cruisers, HMS Powerful and HMS Terrible, just to counter the Rurik.
Timeline
- 10 August 1904The Battle of the Yellow Sea.
- 14 August 1904Japan wins off Ulsan.