of action. Banryū managed to sink the Imperial forces' Chōyō, but Banryū later sank in turn because of heavy damage. The Imperial Japanese Navy won the engagement, ultimately leading to the surrender of the Republic of Ezo at the end of May 1869. Ships of foreign navies — the British HMS Pearl and the French Coetlogon — were standing by neutrally during the conflict. The French captain Jules Brunet who had trained the rebels and helped organize their defenses, surrendered on Coetlogon on 8 June. The future Admiral of the fleet Tōgō Heihachirō participated in the battle on the Imperial side as a young third-class officer, onboard Kasuga. References Bibliography Ballard C. B., Vice-Admiral G. A. The Influence of the Sea on the Political History of Japan. London: John Murray, 1921. Jentschura, Hansgeorg; Dieter Jung, Peter Mickel. Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869–1945. United States Naval Institute, Annapolis, Maryland, USA; 1977. . Onodera Eikō, Boshin Nanboku Senso to Tohoku Seiken''. Sendai: Kita no Sha, 2004. External links Bakumatsu navies Naval battles of the Boshin War 1869 in Japan Conflicts in 1869 May 1869 events