Leading Maritime Figures As history has shown, the world was dominated by countries which controlled the sea. The Roman Empire, Spain and Great Britain were such countries. Korea had Jang Bogo, who built a g.. ■ Chungmugong Yi Sunsin Chungmugong Yi Sunsin Under the bright moon of Hansan Sitting alone on the watch tower I am so distressed, that I cannot put the big sword aside But the tune of a flute Does not heed my heart. 1. His Life Birth Yi Sunsin was born as the third son of Yi Jeong in Seoul in 1545. Yi Jeong named his sons after the wise emperors of China. Boyhood Yi Sunsin is said to have enjoyed playing soldiers with his friends and being the leader in the games of his boyhood. When an adult tried to pass their playground, Yi is said to have interfered him, saying, "No one is allowed to trespass on the front." . Falling from a Horse When Yi Sunsin first time took an exam for military official selection at the age of 28, he fell from a horse while shooting arrows on horseback. He broke his left leg, but he dressed his leg with the bark of a willow tree and continued the exam. The Building of the Turtle Ship The turtle ship, clad with iron and steel spikes, was strong and safe enough to clash against other ships. The ship was first used in the battle of Sacheonpo, and in the following battles against the Japanese navy it played a key role and led to the victories of Yi Sunsin. His Sympathy toward Soldiers When Yi was 50, he suffered from an epidemic, however, he did not neglect his military duties. Moreover, he conducted a funeral for the soldiers and people who died of the epidemic. Continued Calumny against Yi During his military career, Yi Sunsin was often falsely accused by people and dismissed from his positions. The first time was when he served as Dunjeongwan at Nokdundo in Hamgyeongdo. He asked his superior to send reinforcements, but Yi Il refused. With the invasion of the enemy, many civilians were taken hostage and several soldiers were killed. Yi Il reported Yi Sunsin was responsible for the case, and Yi Sunsin was discharged from the post. Later, when he was the chief commander of the navy, he was again falsely accused by Won Gyun. In spite of these accusations and libels, Yi Sunsin faithfully performed his duties. He Became the Chief Commander of the Navy In August 1593, at the age of 49, Yi Sunsin was appointed Chief Commander of the Navy of Three Provinces. The Great Victory at Myeongnyang The victory of Myeongnyang was notable in that his 12 warships fought against 330 warships of the Japanese navy. The Last Battle The Battle of Noryang was the last fight between the Joseon navy and the 500 Japanese ships retreating from Joseon to Japan. Also the battle was the last one in which Yi Sunsin fought. After an all night's fight, Yi was hit by a bullet and died. 2.Turtle Ships During the Imjin War, the turtle ship was always at the forefront of the Joseon navy, attacking and sinking the enemy ships with the guns. The turtle ship was built on the basis of the traditional shipbuilding technology derived from the Silla dynasty. Geomseon of the Goryeo dynasty, on which the spikes prevented the enemy from boarding the ship, Panokseon of Joseon dynasty, which had hard board to protect the oarsmen, and the excellent artillery contributed to the construction of the turtle ship. The turtle ship had a strong hull because it was constructed from hard pine trees and wooden nails resistant to salt water. 3.Naval Battles of the Imjin War The Imjin War lasted 7 years from 1592 till 1598, however, the battles centered on the first year of the war, 1592 and the last two years of 1597and 1598. Admiral Yi's fleet of Jeolla Left Navy played a key role in defending Joseon from Japanese forces especially in the battles of 1592. This section deals with the major naval battles fought by Admiral Yi. Okpo Battle Dates: May 7-8, 1592 The number of war ships: Joseon--91, Japan--44 Results: Joseon--1 soldier injured, Japan--44 ships sank Significance: The first victory by Joseon in the war, Joseon could block the advance of Japanese forces Landing at Busan on April 14, the Japanese army took the capital city on May 2, and then Pyeongyang on June 18. They also seized two princes of King Seonjo. Admiral Yi's fleet set sail from the naval base of Yeosu on May 4, and destroyed a total of 44 enemy ships, without losing even one ship. This sweeping victory gave enormous confidence to the Joseon navy, raising the morale as well as proving the excellent quality of Panokseon. Happo Battle After winning the first battle of his campaign, Yi received from a scout a report that 5 Japanese vessels were passing by. He pursued them to Happo, where the Japanese sailors discarded their ships and fled to land. Goseongpo Battle In the early morning, Yi received a report that Japanese ships were berthing at Jeokjinpo near Goseong. Though weary from the battles of the previous days, Yi's fleet went on to Jeokjinpo and found 11 enemy ships. The Japanese sailors were plundering houses and on discovering they found Yi's ships, they fled to the mountains. Yi's fleet burned all 11 enemy ships and returned to the naval base at Yeosu. He reported the result of the campaign to the court. The Battle of Sacheon Dates: Late May - Early June, 1592 The number of war ships: Joseon--26, Japan--13 Results: All 13 ships of the Japanese navy sank, one hostage was rescued. Significance: The turtle ship was first put to use in an actual battle to play a key role in the attack. Japanese ships were observed at Sacheon and Gonnyang, however, the tide would not allow the large-sized Panokseons to approach the shore. Yi decided to lure the enemy out to the open sea by pretending to retreat. By the evening, the enemy followed Yi's ships and the tide began to change, so Yi turned direction to charge at the enemy. The turtle ship played an important role in this battle by dodging about the enemy ships and firing guns. It is said that though Yi was shot in his left shoulder during the fierce battle, he waited till the battle was over and then had the bullet removed from the shoulder. Dangpo Battle Date: June 2, 1592 The number of war ships: Joseon--26, Japan--21 Results: 21 Japanese ships sank while none of Joseon ship were damaged. In the morning of June 2, Admiral Yi's fleet found 21 enemy ships berthing at Dangpo. The Japanese sailors landed and put up a resistance, shooting rifles, but with the turtle ship in front, Yi's fleet charged at the enemy ships at the pier. They first destroyed the commander's ship and then killed him. The surprised enemy soldiers scattered, but they were shot by rifles and with arrows. Yi's fleet, destroying all 21 enemy ships, hindered the ambitious progress of Japanese army toward the west coast of Joseon. Danghangpo Battle Dates: The first Danghangpo Battle--June 5, 1592; the second--March 4, 1594, The number of war ships: the first battle: Joseon--51, Japan--26; the second battle: Joseon-124, Japan--50 Results: The first battle: 26 Japanese ships sank, The second battle--31 Japanese ships sank Significance: The first battle--In order to protect civilians and to prevent the enemy from landing, the Joseon navy attacked in waves; the second battle--Admiral Yi was appointed as the chief commander of the navy With information of the enemy staying at Danghangpo, Admiral Yi's fleet headed to Danghangpo first, attacked the ships with the turtle ship in the offensive, which confused the enemy. Yi thought further attack would lead the enemy to discard their ships and flee to land, and retreated towards the open sea. When the Japanese ships followed them to the sea, Yi's fleet surrounded and destroyed all the enemy ships. Yulpo Battle Seven Japanese ships found at Yulpo were heading to Busanpo, and upon seeing Yi's ships, they all tried to flee. But seven ships were all burned during the attack with fire. The Battle of Hansando Dates: July 8-10, 1592, the number of war ships: Joseon--100, Japan--70 (40 at Angolpo) Results: 50 Japanese ships sank, (At Angolpo battle, 40 Japanese ships sank) Significance: The victory prevented the Japanese forces from advancing to Jeollanamdo. Admiral Yi pretended that the Joseon navy had only 13 ships, and gave the false command to retreat. The entrapped Japanese navy traced the Joseon navy to the open sea. With the formation of Hakikjin, all Joseon war ships charged against the enemy. The battle, in which Japanese navy lost 9,000 people, became a turning point in the war which turned in favor of Joseon afterwards. Hakikjin, the winged crane Angolpo Battle Date: July 10, 1592 The number of war ships: Joseon--160, Japan--470 Results: 30 Japanese ships were burned Significance: Japanese navy lost its will to fight The Joseon navy found about 42 Japanese ships anchored at Angolpo. However, once deceived by Joseon navy at Hansando, they would not leave the port and be tempted into the open sea. So Yi launched a series of attacks toward the enemy ships.