2-321-561 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

'Attack on the Dutch war-steamer 'Medusa', opposite Simonoseki', Japan, 1863. On 11th July 1863 the Dutch warship 'Medusa' came under fire from forces of the rebel Choshu clan when trying to pass through the narrow Shimonoseki Strait. The 'Medusa' succeeded in passing through, returning the Japanese fire as it did, but suffered considerable damage and 9 casualties. The Choshu clan were opposed to the growing foreign presence in Japan following the signing of the Treaty of Kanagawa in 1854, and proceeded to fire on ships belonging to several nations trying to sail through the strait. After a series of further incidents, a combined American, British, French and Dutch naval squadron bombarded the Choshu shore positions and destroyed their ships in a two day bombardment on 5th-6th September 1864. The Choshu clan surrendered two days later. The accord drawn up after the surrender compelled the Tokugawa Shogun to pay an indemnity of $3 million.