At the renewal of hostilities a cruiser force was sent to counter a Chinese raiding force known to be destined for the Korean coast. Commander Komura took the 4 Tokiwas to sea, and for the first time one of the Hashidates was in accompaniment with the scouting force. In clear and calm conditions the enemy was sited as predicted after dawn.
Komura directed the division to draw parallel to the Chinese line and close. Firing commenced but within a short span Tokiwa's rudder was hit, causing her to pirouette out of line. The Tokiwa suffered numerous blows and was reduced to 10 knots. Captain Arita of the Yakumo reduced the column's speed and turned about to stay near his commander, however the volume of fire received from the enemy was heavy and swiftly caused significant damage. Arita now worried for the fate of the command thrust upon him, and began to take the remainder of the division away towards his friendly shore batteries, first at 10 knots, but finally at merely 8. The Chinese forces smelled blood, and left the Tokiwa to meet her fate while speedily closing down and smothering the Japanese with fire. Arita boldly kept his 3 ships together, resolving they would live or die as one. Just as she was disappearing from sight Tokiwa signaled she would make for Chemulpo, so Arita ordered Hasidate to return to his commander and provide escort.
One could hardly call it a running battle as the Japanese force plodded away from the field, however as the day wore on the Chinese ships finally began to show wear, first one and then another cruiser dropping out of line to withdraw westward. At last as evening approached the Chinese abandoned their harassment. Arita's 3 burning cruisers resolutely continued to make 8 knots to the east-southeast.
Arita expected to hear of the loss of Tokiwa once they finally made port in the pre-dawn dark of the next day, but much to his surprise...
The reckless pursuit by the Chinese forces had cost them, and their force had not returned to port while Komura's had. Arita was commended by telegram from his commander, though vit would take a while to get Tokiwa back to her home berth. Keeping the ships together had, narrowly, proven the decisive factor. It would be a few months before the squadron would be fit for sea again, but it was an unexpected victory.
The only disappointing news came at the end of the day when an intelligence memo cast details on the 3 new Chinese battleships currently under construction in England.
Japan's own battleships would need to arrive in greater numbers to match them.
...and the Hashidate? During the whole morning's action before she withdrew with Tokiwa, she managed to fire her main gun exactly once.
