Tokyo...
Review of the Battle of Tsushima
[Updated on Dec. 29, 2011]
One of the biggest events for Japan in the 20th century was the Battle of Tsushima which was fought by the Empire of Japan and the Russian Empire in 1905.
The Battle of Tsushima, commonly known as the “Sea of Japan Naval Battle” in Japan and the “Battle of Tsushima Strait”, was the major naval battle fought between Russia and Japan during the Russo-Japanese War.
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| Belligerents | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  | ||||||
| Strength | |
|---|---|
| total: 89 ships 4 battleships 27 cruisers 21 destroyers 37 torpedo boats plus gunboats, and auxiliary vessels | total: 28 ships 8 battleships 3 coastal battleships 8 cruisers 9 destroyers |
| Casualties and losses | |
| 117 dead 583 injured 3 torpedo boats sunk | 4,380 dead 5,917 captured 21 ships sunk (7 battleships) 7 captured 6 disarmed |
This battle was not only one of the greatest events for Japan but also for peoples in the world at the start of the 20th century. It was when China had virtually no central government and Korea was even under control of such China. South East Asia was being colonized by the Western Powers, and great India, including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, was occupied by Britain for long periods of time. Part of the Middle East was under control of Turkey, but Turkey was losing traction against the Western Powers. Africa was completely colonized. There was no hope for non-European/Christian people to get independence to prosper, because they had no money, industry, weapons, and so on comparable to the Western civilization.
But, the Empire of Japan defeated the Russian Empire. It was the second war, following the 1894/95 Japan-Sino War, for the Japanese since they put an end to the samurai era in 1867 to modernize and westernize the nation. And, the tide of this War was decided in the Battle of Tsushima.
The Empire of Japan used several cruisers built in Japan for this Battle, but it mostly relied on 12 major battle ships and cruisers built in England, Italy, France, and Germany. The Empire had enough money to purchase these naval ships from Europe even at the time (Japan was once the largest producer of silver in the world). But after this battle, the Empire started for real to build all the necessary naval ships, including battle ships and even aircraft carriers, all by itself.
Yet, it does not mean that Japanese unique technology did not contribute to the Battle of Tsushima.
1. Ijyuin Blasting Fuse
Japanese admiral Goro Ijyuin invented a new type of blasting fuses. It is an instantaneous detonator with high sensitivity.
2. Shimose Powder
Japanese naval chemist Shimose Masachika invented powerful powder. Shimose applied Picric acid discovered in Germany to a new powder. Though today's TNT powder has detonation velocity of 6900 meters/sec, the Shimose powder explodes at 7350 meters/sec.
3. Type 36 Wireless Application
With relay devices made by German Siemens and induction coils made in Japan, this communication device had ability to communicate over 200 nautical miles. A Japanese reconnaissance ship informed approach of the Russian fleets to the Japanese fleets and the headquarters in Tokyo, using this new type of radiotelegraph.
4. Underwater Cables
Prior to the Battle of Tsushima, the Imperial Government of Japan laid submarine cables between Kyusyu (one of the four major islands of the Japanese Archipelago) and Taiwan. The cables were then connected to British marine cables covering India and Africa. Using this communication line, Tokyo could obtain information about locations and states of the approaching Russian fleets around the globe.
Japanese navy engineer Jiro Miyahara invented an effective boiler. This invention was a big surprise for people concerned in the world at the time. It was efficient, compact and manufactured at a lower price. This boiler contributed to speeding up of Imperial fleets.
6. Higher Literacy Rate
At the time or around 1900, the literacy rate of the Japanese people was about 75%, which was higher that those in Western countries. Accordingly, Japanese sailors could read manuals of modern weapons and systems to master them efficiently. They could be more systematically trained than Russian sailors.
7. Rice Cooked with Barley
The Imperial Navy of Japan had a health problem; many sailors developed beriberi. So, the Navy introduced rice cooked with barley as foods for sailors. Then, drastically the situation was improved. Before the Battle of Tsushima, physical conditions of Japanese sailors were good while there were many scorbutic patients among Russian sailors due to the lack of vegetables (Vitamin C).
So, behind the scene of the greatest naval battle ever fought, there were seven wonders on the Japanese side.
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(to be continued...)
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Joh 12:27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
Joh 12:28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.