3-078-308 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The War in Eastern Asia: approach to the Chinese naval arsenal at Port Arthur, taken by the Japanese November 21, 894, (1895). 'From a Sketch by J. J. A. Sloan, Staff-Paymaster H.M.S. "Crescent." The forts fired on the Japanese war-ships, which do not appear to have received any damage, and there was an attack by torpedo-boats at the finish...The soldiery seemed a rough, uncouth set, and their superiors held them in such poor estimation that they insisted on the British officers accepting the protection of a guard...The Illustration represents the southern approach to the port...The dockyard, comprising a large tidal basin, dry dock 385ft. long, smithery, foundry, coppersmith's, fitting, and other shops, lies well back behind the signal-bluff on the right hand side of the entrance. Contact mines were laid down here in the deepwater channel, several of them, not being properly adjusted for depth, showing above the surface. It is customary to keep a stock of some 4000 tons of coal in store for the use of the Pei-Yang, or Northern Squadron. As a base for future operations the possession of Port Arthur will be invaluable to the Japanese, commanding as it does the whole of the Gulf of Pe-chi-li'. From "Illustrated London News", 1895.