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 avoided an initial torpedo-boat raid and sailed the following morning when the Combined Fleet, commanded by Vice Admiral Tōgō Heihachirō, launched a surprise attack. Tōgō had anticipated that his nighttime assault would be more successful than it was, expecting the Russians to be disorganized and weakened, but they had recovered from their initial shock and were prepared for his assault.