The Kaiten succeeded in attaching itself to the side of the Kotetsu, but the Enomoto forces hesitated in boarding because of a big gap in the height of the gunwale of both ships; as a result they received heavy gunfire from Gatling guns, failed in the operation and fled, incurring great damage including the death of Captain Koga.
しかし接舷には成功したものの我彼の舷高に大いに開きがあり、突入を躊躇した榎本軍はガトリング砲の砲火を浴び、突入作戦に失敗、甲賀艦長も戦死するなど大打撃を受け敗走した。