The Japanese advanced in column, or line ahead, in two divisions. The first, or "flying squadron," was led by Rear Admiral Tsuboi in the _Yoshino_, and consisted of four fast protected cruisers. Four similar ships, headed by Vice Admiral Ito in the _Matsushima_, formed the chief units of the main squadron, followed by the older and slower ironclads, _Fuso_ and _Hiyei_. The little gunboat _Akagi_ and the converted steamer _Saikio Maru_ had orders not to engage, but nevertheless pushed in on the left of the line. Aside from their two battleships, the Chinese had nothing to compare with these eight new and well-armed cruisers, the slowest of which could make 17-1/2 knots. In armament the Japanese also had a marked advantage, as the following table, from Wilsan's _Ironclads in Action_, will show: --------------------------------------------------------------- |SHIPS | GUNS |SHOTS IN 10 MINUTES |------|-----------------------------|------------------- | | | Large |Small q. f.| | Weight of |Number|6-inch|quick fire|and machine|Number | metal ------|------|------|----------|-----------|-------|----------- China | 12 | 40 | 2 | 130 | 33 | 4,885 Japan | 10 | 34 | 66 | 154 | 185 | 11,706 --------------------------------------------------------------- The smaller quick-fire and machine guns proved of slight value on either side, but the large Japanese quick-firers searched all unprotected parts of the enemy ships with a terrific storm of shells. After the experience of July 25, the Chinese had discarded much of their woodwork and top hamper, including boats, thin steel gun-shields, rails, needless rigging, etc., and used coal and sand bags an the upper decks; but the unarmored ships nevertheless suffered severely. From the table it is evident that the Japanese could pour in six times as great a volume of fire. The Chinese had a slight advantage in heavier guns, and their marksmanship, it is claimed, was equally accurate (possibly 10% hits on each side), but their ammunition was defective and consisted mostly of non-bursting projectiles. They had only 15 rounds of shell for each gun. During the approach the Japanese steered at first for the enemy center, thus concealing their precise objective, and then swung to port, with the aim of attacking on the weaker side of the Chinese battleships (owing to their barbette arrangement) and on the weaker flank of the line. In the meantime the Chinese steamed forward at about 6 knots and turned somewhat to keep head-on, thus forcing the Japanese to file across their bows. At 12.20 p.m. the _Chen-yuen_ and _Ting-yuen_ opened at 5800 yards on Tsuboi's squadron, which held its fire until at 3000 yards or closer it swung around the Chinese right wing.