Updated:June 5, 2023

Memorial Monument for Warship Kaimon Fallen Sailors

 

 

As a result of the first Sino-Japanese War, Japan gained possession of Taiwan. The Japanese government established the Government-General of Taiwan and started to govern and develop Taiwan under Japanese rule, but armed rebellions against the Japanese rule took place often. In 1897, the Kaimon, a coastal defense ship belonging to Sasebo Naval Station, was dispatched to Taiwan to crush a rebellion. A Naval landing force tried to land in a stormy weather, but its boat overturned and 8 sailors lost their lives. This stone monument was erected with donations to honor the spirits of these fallen sailors. The names of donors were engraved on the pedestal, but now they can hardly be read because of deterioration over the years. This monument shows a part of the era when modern Japan rushed into imperialism to catch up with the Western Powers.