Battle of Danghangpo


The Battle of Danghangpo was a naval engagement during the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–98) that resulted in Korean victory.

Background

After the Battle of Dangpo, Yi Sunsin spent the next few days searching for Japanese ships. He was then joined by Yi Ŏkki on 12 July 1592, increasing the total number of Korean warships to 51. That same day Yi Sunsin received a report that the Japanese fleet had been sighted near Danghangpo. He immediately sailed towards Danghangpo to confirm it himself. Anchored in the harbor of Danghangpo were 26 Japanese ships, including another flagship.

Battle

The Korean fleet assumed a circular formation to navigate the enclosed bay and took turns bombarding the Japanese. Realizing that this would only force the Japanese to flee inland, Yi Sunsin ordered a false retreat. Falling for the ploy, the Japanese fleet gave chase, only to be surrounded and shot to splinters. Yi wrote:
Then our ships suddenly enveloped the enemy craft from the four directions, attacking them from both flanks at full speed. The turtle with the Flying Squadron Chief on board rammed the enemy's pavilion vessel once again, while wrecking it with cannon fire, and our other ships hit its brocade curtains and sails with fire arrows. Furious flames burst out and the enemy commander fell dead from an arrow hit".

A few Japanese managed to flee to shore and take refuge in the hills. All the Japanese ships were destroyed.

Aftermath

The Korean fleet spent the next few days searching for Japanese ships but could not find any. On 18 July the fleet was dissolved and each commander returned to their respective ports.