Battle of Dangpo

Overview

The Battle of Dangpo was fought on the 2nd day of the 6th lunar month of 1592 (10 July in the Gregorian calendar) at the harbor of Dangpo (唐浦, present-day Samdeok-ri, Sanyang-eup, Tongyeong City) on Mireuk Island in Gyeongsang Province. It was the second battle of Yi Sun-sin's second sortie, following the Battle of Sacheon, and the turtle ship once again led the attack.

Course of Events

• Morning of the 2nd day of the 6th month: The allied fleet left SARyang Island and learned that 21 Japanese ships (9 large ships and 12 medium and small ships) were anchored at the Dangpo harbor, and that Japanese troops were plundering inside and outside the town.
• Attack: On the largest ship, a high tower had been erected, and the Japanese commander sat beneath a red silk parasol atop it. The turtle ship first charged toward that ship, fired the Hyeonja chongtong from the dragon's head, and struck with the Cheonja and Jija chongtong, while the panokseon followed behind, showering arrows and artillery fire.
• Killing of the commander: An arrow shot by Gwon Jun, the Middle Vanguard commander, struck the Japanese commander, who fell, and military officers beheaded him. Deprived of their leader, the Japanese troops collapsed.
• Result: The Joseon navy destroyed and burned all 21 anchored Japanese ships. They attempted to pursue the Japanese troops who had fled ashore, but withdrew the fleet after reports that another Japanese fleet was approaching.

According to Japanese records, the commander killed at this time was Kurushima Michiyuki (来島通之), the elder brother of Kurushima Michifusa, who was killed in the Battle of Myeongnyang during the Jeong-yu War.

Results and Impact

After the victory at Dangpo, the fleet moved to and stayed near Changsin Island, and on 4 June joined 25 warships led by Yi Eok-gi, the Jeolla Right Naval Commander, in the waters off Dangpo. Thus the allied three-province naval fleet of Yi Sun-sin, Yi Eok-gi, and Won Gyun was formed, and the fleet then advanced to the Battle of Dangpo...