Russia, Chemulpo Medal 1904, silver, with ribbon, good very fine £300-400

On 8 February 1904, at the beginning of the Russo-Japanese War, the Japanese cruiser squadron of Vice-Admiral Hikonojo Kamimura, consisting of six cruisers, escorted a convoy of transports carrying an expeditionary force into Chemulpo (Inchon) harbour in Korea and landed troops and supplies there. In contravention of maritime law, all neutral shipping in the port, including British, French and Italian warships, were ordered to leave - to which Captain Bayley of H.M.S. Talbot voiced a vigorous protest. In greater danger were the two Russian vessels in the harbour - the protected cruiser Variag and the gunboat Korietz; the latter having already been fired upon on the 6th as she attempted to make for Port Arthur, forcing her to return to Chemulpo. Bayley advised Captain Rudnev of the Variag to scuttle the slow Korietz and make a run for Port Arthur in the faster cruiser. Rudnev instead prepared for action against the more numerous and more heavily armed opposition. Taking both ships to sea, the Variag’s band played the national anthem as they sailed out to their likely doom. The action commenced at 11.45, at 7,500 yards and by 12.00, the Variag’s ability to either fight or run had come to an end. With only two of her twelve 6 inch guns able to fire, with a heavy list and on fire in several places, she struggled back to port. The Japanese ceased firing as she re-entered port and the foreign warships there immediately began to lower boats to take off the wounded and survivors before the ship foundered. The ship was finally scuttled by her crew. Out of a complement of 553, one officer and 30 men were killed and six officers and 185 men were wounded. The Korietz which had followed the Variag into battle, made it back to port relatively unscathed and was later blown up by her crew. Surviving officers and crew of both vessels were awarded the Chemulpo Medal.