Battle of Port Arthur Russo-Japanese War [1904] Actions Cite verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Select Citation Style MLA APA Chicago Manual of Style Copy Citation Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Port-Arthur Give Feedback Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　Print Cite verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Select Citation Style MLA APA Chicago Manual of Style Copy Citation Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Port-Arthur Feedback Written by Tony Bunting Tony Bunting is a historian who has recently completed a research project at the University of Central Lancashire on the evolution of nineteenth-century British imperialism. He was a contributor to 1001... Tony Bunting Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Jul 15, 2024 • Article History Table of Contents

　　Battle of Port Arthur See all media Date: February 2, 1904 - August 9, 1904 (Show more) Location: China Lüshun (Show more) Participants: Japan Russia (Show more) Context: Russo-Japanese War (Show more) Key People: Tōgō Heihachirō (Show more) See all related content → Ask a Question Ask a Question Battle of Port Arthur, conflict on February 8–9, 1904, marking the beginning of the Russo-Japanese War (1904–05). Rival ambitions in Korea and China led to war between Russia and Japan in 1904. The Russian Pacific Fleet was a threat to the movement of Japanese troops to mainland Asia; in response, the Japanese staged a surprise attack on Russian warships of the Asiatic Squadron at the strategically important Port Arthur (today Lushun, China), in Manchuria, before a declaration of war, anticipating the attack on the American fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in 1941. The battle, and the larger war, exposed Russia’s growing vulnerability and instability, contributing to revolutionary discontent in that nation.

　　attack on Port ArthurArtist's rendition of Japanese torpedo boats making a surprise attack on Port Arthur, February 8, 1904, during the Russo-Japanese War (1904–05). (more)

　　Russian battleship RetvizanRussian battleship Retvizan, built in Philadelphia, 1900. The ship, displacing more than 12,000 tons, was powered by reciprocating steam engines and was capable of reaching 18 knots. It carried a main armament of four 12-inch guns, plus a dozen 6-inch guns, 20 3-inch guns, various small-calibre guns, and two torpedo tubes.(more)The attack was planned by Japanese Admiral Togo Heihachiro. Ten torpedo-armed destroyers reached Port Arthur just after midnight on February 9. The unsuspecting Russians had their warships lit up, presenting a tempting target. Slipping undetected into the harbor, the Japanese destroyers torpedoed Retvizan and Tsesarevich, two of the most powerful battleships in the Russian fleet, and the cruiser Pallada. None of the ships was destroyed, however, and the effectiveness of the attack was limited by torpedo nets that protected much of the fleet. After the initial chaos, the Russians turned on searchlights and brought their guns to bear, forcing the Japanese to break off the attack at around 2:00 AM.

　　Russo-Japanese War Events keyboard_arrow_left

　　Battle of Port Arthur February 2, 1904 - August 9, 1904

　　Battle of the Yellow Sea August 10, 1904

　　Battle of Mukden February 20, 1905 - March 10, 1905

　　Battle of Tsushima May 27, 1905 - May 29, 1905 keyboard_arrow_right

　　Battle of Port ArthurSunken Japanese blockading ships at the harbour entrance of Port Arthur during the Russo-Japanese War, 1904–05.(more)

　　Battleships at Port ArthurStranded Russian battleships at Port Arthur days before its fall during the Russo-Japanese War, 1904.(more)Unaware that the torpedo attack had partially failed, Togo steamed toward Port Arthur the following morning with the rest of his warships, numbering four battleships and ten cruisers, confident of finishing off the Russian naval squadron. To his surprise, he was vigorously engaged by the Russian warships as well as by shore batteries. Although no ships were lost on either side, several were damaged, including Togo’s flagship Mikasa. As the Japanese fleet withdrew to a safe distance, the Russians claimed a victory, but their warships remained blockaded in Port Arthur.

　　Japan declared war on February 10. Over the following months, several Russian sorties were fought off by Togo’s warships. In May, the Japanese landed troops and placed the port under siege. After massive losses on both sides, the Russians surrendered Port Arthur on January 2, 1905.

　　defense of Port ArthurRussian six-inch howitzer battery during the defense of Port Arthur during the Russo-Japanese War, 1904–05.(more)Losses in Port Arthur battle: Russian, some 150 casualties; Japanese, some 100. Losses in Port Arthur siege: Russian, 31,306 casualties, with some 6,000 killed; Japanese, 57,780 casualties, with some 14,000 killed.