[KS] Re: Request

[Kirk Larsen]

Dear Robert,

I am hardly an expert on military affairs. However, I do know of several
endeavors, both official and private, to purchase and operate steamships
for non-military uses: primarily to transport government rice from the
southern provinces to Seoul and to transport goods from Inch'on up the Han
River to Map'o. Such efforts began in 1886. Over the next few years.
steamers were acquired from Germany, Japan, and Norway. The coastal
transport proved relatively successful but the Han River lines were
plagued by accident, mismanagement, and a failure to acquire the type of
ships that could successfully ply the shallow sand-bar filled river. As
far as I know, there was no (successful) attempt to construct steamships
in Korea during this period.

As for the General Sherman and turtle boats, I believe it is generally
accepted that the General Sherman was destroyed at least in part by Korean
ships that were set aflame and rammed into the foreign schooner. I have
never read that these boats were actually turtle boats. My understanding
is that most of the turtle boats of Yi Sun-shin's era were sent to the
bottom in the early days of the Imjin (Hideyoshi) invasions and that
Admiral Yi's victories were due more to superior tactics than to the
superiority of turtle boats. Of course, the Choson government could have
constructed more turtle boats in the ensuing two and a half centuries.

Hope this helps,

Kirk W. Larsen


On Sat, 8 May 1999, Robert Armstrong wrote:

> Hello everyone,
> 
> I must apologize as this is my first message and already I am asking for 
> some help, please excuse me.
> 
> I am studying and doing research in Seoul and was wondering if some of you 
> might help me.  I am trying to get information on the Korean military, 
> especially the navy, from 1860-1905.  I am aware of the Yang Hu Ho, which 
> was bought from Japan in 1903, but I am more interested in Korea's early 
> attempts at building their own steam powered ships, especially after the 
> French attack of Kangwha Island.
> 
> I am also curious about the attack on the General Sherman.  I have read one 
> account where the "Turtle Ship" was used on it, firing once and obviously 
> being no match for it.  It then went on to say that some old turtleships 
> were loaded down with brush and wood and set afire and floated down to the 
> General Sherman.  I think it said over nine were used before the ship was 
> finally set on fire.
> 
> I would appreciate any assistance and am thanking you in advance.
> 
> Sincerely Robert
> 
> 
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