Battle of Port Arthur

The Battle of Port Arthur (Japanese: 旅順口海戦, Hepburn: Ryojunkō Kaisen) of 8–9 February 1904 marked the commencement of the Russo-Japanese War. It began with a surprise night attack by a squadron of Japanese destroyers on the neutral Russian fleet anchored at Port Arthur, Manchuria, and continued with an engagement the following morning; further skirmishing off Port Arthur would continue until May 1904. The attack ended inconclusively, though the war resulted in a decisive Japanese victory.

For the land battle, see Siege of Port Arthur. For the First Sino-Japanese War battle in 1894, see Battle of Lushunkou. For the 1980 film, see The Battle of Port Arthur.

Battle of Port Arthur (naval)
Part of the Russo-Japanese War

Japanese print displaying the destruction of a Russian ship
Date8–9 February 1904
Location
Near Port Arthur, Manchuria, China
Result Inconclusive; see Outcome section
Belligerents
 Empire of Japan  Russian Empire
Commanders and leaders
  • Oskar Starck
  • Yevgeni Alekseyev
  • Wilgelm Vitgeft
Strength
  • 6 pre-dreadnought battleships
  • 9 armoured cruisers
  • 15 destroyers
  • 20 torpedo boats
  • 7 pre-dreadnought battleships
  • 1 armored cruiser
  • 5 protected cruisers, with escorts
Casualties and losses
90 men and slight damage
  • 150 casualties
  • 7 ships damaged
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