The Japanese force consisted of the flagship 'Matsushima' led by Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet Lieutenant General Yuko ITO and another eight warships as well as the flagship 'Yoshino' led by the commander of the first commando unit Major General Kozo TSUBOI and other four warships, while the Qing consisted of the'Dingyuan' and the 'Chen Yuen' led by Adminaral Jyosho TEI and other 14 torpedo boats.
日本側は連合艦隊司令長官伊東祐亨中将率いる旗艦「松島(巡洋艦)」以下8隻と第一遊撃隊司令長官坪井航三少将率いる旗艦「吉野(防護巡洋艦)」以下4隻であるのに対して、清国艦隊は丁汝昌提督率いる「定遠」「鎮遠」等14隻と水雷艇4隻であった。