The Decisive Battles of World History

x Each panokson had a variety

of cannons of different sizes

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and iron cannonballs, as well

as incendiary bombs. The

Koreans also used them to

propel enormous wooden

arrows equipped with iron tips

and leather vanes, said to cause

massive destruction when they

struck their target.

x Admiral Yi’s famed turtle

ships were propelled by the

usual mixture of oars and a

mast carrying a square sail, but

because of their shape, they

were especially maneuverable.

They mounted about six cannon

on each side, with several more

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x Because of its especially sturdy

design and thick protection, the

turtle ship was capable of ramming its opponents, but the preferred

method of combat was to sink enemy vessels with shots from its

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The Battle of Hansan Island
x Recognizing the danger Yi posed, Hideyoshi ordered his generals to
destroy Yi and his ships, leading to Yi’s greatest victory, the Battle
of Hansan Island.

x Yi again used a false retreat by to lure the Japanese into a stretch

of open water near Hansan Island. The Japanese raced after the

Korean ships and found themselves confronting the main Korean

The turtle ships designed by

Admiral Yi would play a key role

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establish him as one of the

greatest admirals of all time.

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