Bayan was not hit by the initial torpedo-boat incursion and sortied the following morning when the Combined Fleet, commanded by Vice Admiral Tōgō Heihachirō, attacked. Tōgō had expected the surprise night attack by his ships to be much more successful than it was, anticipating that the Russians would be badly disorganized and weakened, but they had recovered from their surprise and were ready for his assault. The Japanese vessels had been spotted by the protected cruiser , which was patrolling offshore, and alerted the Russian defences.
Bayan escaped an initial torpedo-boat raid and sailed the next morning when the Combined Fleet, under Vice Admiral Tōgō Heihachirō, launched a surprise attack. Tōgō had expected his nighttime assault to be more effective than it was, anticipating that the Russians would be in disarray and weakened, but they had regained their composure and were ready for his assault.