Cyclopædia of Political Science, Political Economy, and the
Political History of the United States SHIMONOSÉKI INDEMNITY.
The town of Shimonoséki commands the narrow straits leading into
the Inland sea from the sea of Japan, which, at this point, are
about a half-mile wide. On June 25, 1863, in obedience to orders
from the mikado to close the straits, the clansmen of Chõshiu
fired on the American steamer Pembroke, but without injury to
the vessel. On July 16, by order of the minister of the United
States, Capt. McDougall, of the United States steamship Wyoming,
attacked the batteries, and sunk two vessels moored under them.
French and Dutch vessels, being fired on, also shelled the
batteries, the French with a landing force destroying one of the
redoubts. On Sept. 5, 1864, a combined squadron of one American,
nine British, three French and four Dutch ships of war, with 208
guns and 7,590 men, attacked the forts and destroyed them. The
American portion of this force consisted of the chartered
steamer Takiang,