Battle of Chumonchin Chan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Chumonchin Chan
Part of the Korean War
Torpedo boat No.21 on display at the Museum of Victory of the Fatherland Liberation War, Pyongyang. North Korean propaganda mistaking a United Nations forces ship for USS Baltimore (CA-68) which was never deployed to the Korean War. It also claims the heavy cruiser was sunk by North Korean torpedo boats during the battle.
Date July 2, 1950 Location off Chumonchin Chan, Sea of Japan Result United Nations victory
Belligerents
United Nations:  United Kingdom  United States	North Korea
Commanders and leaders
Jesse D. Sowell	unknown
Strength
2 cruisers 1 frigate	4 motor torpedo boats 2 gunboats 10 ammunition ships
Casualties and losses
None	Unknown human casualties, 3 torpedo boats sunk

The Battle of Chumonchin Chan was an important naval battle during the Korean War. It happened on July 2, 1950. This battle involved warships from the United Nations (UN) and North Korea. It started when UN ships found a group of North Korean supply ships.

What Happened at Chumonchin Chan?

On July 2, 1950, three UN warships were sailing near the coast of the Sea of Japan. These ships were the American cruiser USS Juneau, and the British ships HMS Black Swan and HMS Jamaica.

They came across four North Korean torpedo boats and gunboats. These North Korean boats had just finished helping ten ammunition ships move along the coast.

The Naval Clash

The North Korean torpedo boats tried to attack the UN ships. But before they could fire their torpedoes, the UN ships opened fire. Their powerful guns quickly hit and destroyed three of the North Korean torpedo boats. The one remaining North Korean boat quickly sailed away.

Later in July, the USS Juneau found the same ten North Korean ammunition ships. The Juneau then destroyed all of them. This battle was a clear victory for the United Nations forces.

The USS Baltimore Story

In Pyongyang, North Korea, there is a place called the Victorious War Museum. This museum has exhibits that claim the American warship USS Baltimore was sunk by North Korean torpedo boats. They even show a boat that they say sank the Baltimore.

However, this story is not true. The USS Baltimore was not in Korea during the war. From 1946 to 1951, it was stored away in the United States. It was not used in any battles in 1950.

Where Was the USS Baltimore?

The USS Baltimore was brought back into service in 1951. But it was sent to the Atlantic Ocean, not the Pacific where the Korean War was happening. It finally moved to the Pacific Fleet in 1955. This was two years after the Korean War ended. The ship was later taken apart in 1972. So, it could not have been sunk by North Korea in 1950.