3-011-563 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The War in Japan: action of Sept. 5, in the Strait of Simonosaki, 1864. Engraving from a sketch by Mr. C. Wirgman, '...our Special Artist and Correspondent on board one of the ships in the allied squadron during the attack upon the batteries of the Daimio Prince of Nagato...it was lately resolved...to send a joint naval expedition for the purpose of disarming the hostile [ie Japanese] batteries and forcing the entrance of this channel...the allied squadron of 16 vessels, with an aggregate armament of 250 guns...were posted as shown in our Engraving...The Euryalus...is nearly in the centre...the Semiramis, bearing the flag of the French Admiral, is at the extreme left; and the Amsterdam, the Dutch flagship, is a little to the right of the Euryalus; the small steamer Ta-Kiang, with the American ensign, lies between the Euryalus and the Semiramis...The corvettes are anchored opposite three of the batteries, with which they are hotly engaged...The first shots were fired by the corvettes, and instantly returned. For about twenty minutes the Japanese fire was very lively; but when the light squadron took part in the conflict, and the two frigates, presenting their broadsides, opened with their great guns, most of the guns on shore were soon silenced'. "Illustrated London News", 1864.