. The influence of the sea on the political history of Japan. ki or the ports of China on the one hand,and Yokohama and the ports of Central and WesternJapan on the other. As previously observed, the Chosiuclan were, according to Japanese standards, well organizedand equipped for war; and had erected a series of batteriescommanding these Straits on plans taken from Dutchmilitary treatises, which were armed with 8-inch shellguns and 32-pounders. They had also purchased andarmed with similar weapons a steamer and two sailing ATTACKS ON SHIPS 87 vessels, and, in pursuance of an understanding with
. The influence of the sea on the political history of Japan. ki or the ports of China on the one hand,and Yokohama and the ports of Central and WesternJapan on the other. As previously observed, the Chosiuclan were, according to Japanese standards, well organizedand equipped for war; and had erected a series of batteriescommanding these Straits on plans taken from Dutchmilitary treatises, which were armed with 8-inch shellguns and 32-pounders. They had also purchased andarmed with similar weapons a steamer and two sailing ATTACKS ON SHIPS 87 vessels, and, in pursuance of an understanding with theMikado, their Prince proceeded to take forcible measuresto close the Straits, which he fully believed he was strongenough to effect, even in the face of foreign opposition. The first intimation received of his intentions took theform of an attack without any warning, on June 25, 1863,on the United States steamer Pembrok^ while on passagefrom Yokohama to Shanghai by the usual route throughthe Straits. As she entered the narrows and approached K I U S I U. ?, FIG. -STRAITS OF SHIMONOSEKI AND indicated thus the north shore, under which the Chosiu men-of-warwere at anchor, she suddenly found herself under a hail ofround-shot, and only escaped sinking by steering hardover to the farther side of the Straits and proceeding atfull speed. Utterly at a loss to account for this treatment,her master made a full report to the United States Consulat Nagasaki next morning, where he called to drop hisJapanese Inland Sea pilot, and where the incident causedgreat excitement and conjecture among foreign shippingand commercial circles. Before it was known in Yoko- 88 SECOND PERIOD OP SECLUSION hama the French naval despatch-vessel Kienchang hadstarted from that port to make the same voyage, completelyin ignorance of the danger awaiting her and meetingwith worse fortune than her predecessor. She happenedto arrive at the eastern approach to the Straits too lat
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, bookidcu3192402323, bookyear1921
