The Imperial fleet reaches the harbor of…
March 1869 CE
The Imperial fleet reaches the harbor of Miyako on March 20.
The rebels, anticipating the fleet's arrival, organize a daring plan to seize the powerful new warship Kōtetsu.
Three warships are dispatched for a surprise attack, in what is known as the Naval Battle of Miyako: the Kaiten, on which are riding the elite Shinsengumi as well as the ex-French Navy officer Henri Nicol, the warship Banryu, with the ex-French officer Clateau, and the warship Takao, with ex-French Navy officer Eugène Collache on board.
To create surprise, the Kaiten enters Miyako harbor with an American flag.
They raise the Ezo Republic flag seconds before boarding the Kōtetsu.
The crew of Kōtetsu manages to repel the attack with a Gatling gun, with huge losses to the attackers.
The two Ezo warships escape back to Hokkaidō, but the Takao is pursued and self-wrecked.