The Imperial Japanese Navy Sinks the Russian Fleet: Manchuria 1904/05

The Russian Fleet sinking — Port Arthur, Manchuria, February 1904. Image: Pinterest

In 1897, to gain a warm water port on the Pacific Coast Russia took control of an undefended area at the tip of the Chinese Peninsular of Liaotung in southern Manchuria, which included Port Arthur. The Chinese were in no fit state to oppose Russia, and in the end leased the area to the Russians. It would become, by 1904, a bad move.