13. The battle of Myeongryang (September 16, 1597)
On July 16, 1597, Admiral won gyun was defeated at Chilcheonryang and dead after this battle. About 160 Joseon fleet’s warships were destroyed during this battle. A naval officer, Bae-seol retreated with 12 warships out of battle field. Joseon government reappointed Admiral Yi sun-shin as a commander-in-chief. Before he arrived at naval base, Admiral Yi collected his navy officers and sailors. On August 19, he took over Bae-sol’s warships at Hoiryeongpo port and collected foods, arrows, bows. Although the King, seonjo ordered to combine his navy with army, Admiral Yi sent report to king. In this report he wrote his famous quote, “Your highness, I still have twelve battleships”. He moved his base to the west and west.
On September 16, his spy reported that hundreds of Japanese warships were sailing to his base at around 7 am. He drove his fleet and waited Japanese fleet in front of his base, present-day Haenamgun. 133 Japanese warships had to sail into the Uldolmok, sea between Jindo and hwawon peninsula, it is narrow sea which lowest sea level is about 1.9m and flow speed is 11.5 note. Japanese had to separate their warships. Most big warship, Adakabune stationed in front of this sea. Only 133 middle warships, Sekebune could pass the sea. Admiral Yi ordered to make a formation, Iljajin which ships position end-to-end. At first, Admiral Yi’s ship fought against Japanese warships with guns in the front battle line, while other generals’ ships were hesitated to attack. He called other ships and rushed into Japanese battle line first. Soon, tide changed and his all warships followed him. They destroyed about 31 warships in a flash. After this attack, Japanese retreated at around sunset. He never gave up and gained glorious victory.
| Joseon fleet | Japanese fleet | |
|---|---|---|
| Commander | Commander-in-chief : Admiral Yi sun-shin | Gurujima Michihusa , Wakisaka yasuharu, DoDo akidora |
| Strength | 13 warships and 32 small vessels, About 1500 soldiers | About 300 ships, About 120,000 soldiers |
| Casualties and losses | Unknown | Casualties unknown, |
On July 16, 1597, Admiral won gyun was defeated at Chilcheonryang and dead after this battle. About 160 Joseon fleet’s warships were destroyed during this battle. A naval officer, Bae-seol retreated with 12 warships out of battle field. Joseon government reappointed Admiral Yi sun-shin as a commander-in-chief. Before he arrived at naval base, Admiral Yi collected his navy officers and sailors. On August 19, he took over Bae-sol’s warships at Hoiryeongpo port and collected foods, arrows, bows. Although the King, seonjo ordered to combine his navy with army, Admiral Yi sent report to king. In this report he wrote his famous quote, “Your highness, I still have twelve battleships”. He moved his base to the west and west.
On September 16, his spy reported that hundreds of Japanese warships were sailing to his base at around 7 am. He drove his fleet and waited Japanese fleet in front of his base, present-day Haenamgun. 133 Japanese warships had to sail into the Uldolmok, sea between Jindo and hwawon peninsula, it is narrow sea which lowest sea level is about 1.9m and flow speed is 11.5 note. Japanese had to separate their warships. Most big warship, Adakabune stationed in front of this sea. Only 133 middle warships, Sekebune could pass the sea. Admiral Yi ordered to make a formation, Iljajin which ships position end-to-end. At first, Admiral Yi’s ship fought against Japanese warships with guns in the front battle line, while other generals’ ships were hesitated to attack. He called other ships and rushed into Japanese battle line first. Soon, tide changed and his all warships followed him. They destroyed about 31 warships in a flash. After this attack, Japanese retreated at around sunset. He never gave up and gained glorious victory.