| The 2,344 ton, 79-meter ''Ertuğrul'' was already an old ship in 1889. Though some in the Ottoman government or navy reportedly expressed concerns about the viability of the journey, the ''Ertuğrul'' was selected, and set sail on July 14, 1889, with a crew of 609 under the command of Commodore Osman Bey. | | The 2,344 ton, 79-meter ''Ertuğrul'' was already an old ship in 1889. Though some in the Ottoman government or navy reportedly expressed concerns about the viability of the journey, the ''Ertuğrul'' was selected, and set sail on July 14, 1889, with a crew of 609 under the command of Commodore Osman Bey. |
− | The journey from Turkey to Japan was expected to take three months, but lasted eleven, due to various setbacks and difficulties. However, after the mission finally arrived safely in [[Yokohama]], the official diplomatic events and interactions went smoothly. The heads of the mission were received in audience by the Meiji Emperor, and various formal greetings, gifts, and honors were exchanged. The mission remained in Yokohama for three months, and then departed for home. | + | The journey from Turkey to Japan was expected to take three months, but lasted eleven, due to various setbacks and difficulties. However, after the mission finally arrived safely in [[Yokohama]], the official diplomatic events and interactions went smoothly. The heads of the mission were received in audience by the Meiji Emperor, and various formal greetings, gifts, and honors were exchanged. The mission remained in Yokohama for three months. Some of the ship's officers expressed concerns about the makeshift repairs made on the journey to Japan, and suggested they stay longer in Yokohama to perform proper repairs; meanwhile, Japanese officials advised the Ottomans to delay their departure in order to avoid typhoon season. Nevertheless, despite these warnings and concerns, the ''Ertuğrul'' departed for home on September 15, 1890. |
− | On September 16, 1890, the ship encountered a typhoon, and after the crew struggled against the winds and waves for some time, around 9:30pm the ship was dashed up against the rocks just off the coast of the island of Kii Ôshima, and broke apart. Roughly 500 sailors died, either in the storm, or by drowning, exposure, or injuries following the shipwreck. However, 69 men were rescued by the villagers of the island, and were provided food, clothes, shelter, and medical attention for some time.
| + | The following day, the ship encountered a typhoon, and after the crew struggled against the winds and waves for some time, around 9:30pm the ship was dashed up against the rocks just off the coast of the island of Kii Ôshima, and broke apart. Roughly 500 sailors died, either in the storm, or by drowning, exposure, or injuries following the shipwreck. However, 69 men were rescued by the villagers of the island, and were provided food, clothes, shelter, and medical attention for some time. |
| In the end, the men were returned to Constantinople aboard the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] ships ''Hiyei'' and ''[[Kongo (ship)|Kongô]]''. | | In the end, the men were returned to Constantinople aboard the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] ships ''Hiyei'' and ''[[Kongo (ship)|Kongô]]''. |