Ertuðrul Frigate: Greatest Turkish Naval Disaster in Japan


The rocks on the shores of Kushimoto in Japan witnessed the greatest disaster in Turkish naval history.
This site has an important place in Turkish-Japanese relations because it is a city that hosts the martyrs of the Ottoman frigate Ertuðrul.

The Ertuðrul, which departed from Ýstanbul on July 14, 1889, upon the decree of Abdülhamid II, continued its travel by visiting the ports along the route. The vessel was welcomed by the Muslims living in the visited places. Large groups head to the frigate to see what is inside. Eleven months after departure the frigate arrives in Japan. The date is June 7, 1890, when the vessel arrives in Yokohama port in Japan. This was also a sign of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Ottoman state.

In response to a visit of friendship paid by the uncle of the Japanese emperor to Ýstanbul in 1887, Sultan Abdülhamid II ordered a reciprocal visit. The Ertuðrul, constructed at the Ýstanbul shipyards, was able to move both by sail and by steam engine. The primary means of movement was, however, the sail. The engine was supplemental. It was a wooden vessel with a weight of 2,400 tons and was 25 years old. One year prior to its final journey, its wooden parts were repaired, but its machinery and boilers remained untouched. The delegation leader was Col. Osman Bey and the vessel’s commander was Lt. Col. Ali Bey. The vessel had a crew of 607, including 56 military officers. That year young lieutenants who graduated from the naval college were assigned to duty on the vessel. The frigate was charged with carrying valuable gifts from Abdülhamid II for the Japanese emperor while young graduates would also have the opportunity to further their experience on the open seas. At the same time, the power and strength of the Ottoman Empire would be displayed. It would also be stressed that Muslims living in different parts of the world were not alone. The caliph and sultan’s determination and will to protect Muslims throughout the world would be demonstrated. During the journey of the frigate, Col. Osman was promoted to the rank of admiral.

The Japanese emperor welcomed the Turkish admiral and the delegation in a glorious ceremony when the Ertuðrul arrived in Tokyo. The local people joyously and admiringly watched the Turkish admiral and the delegation during their tour on the royal vessel. The delegation was received by the queen after briefly meeting with the Japanese emperor.

After a three-month visit to Japan, the Ertuðrul departed from the port of Yokohama on Sept. 16, 1890. It left the city, but none of the crew had any idea of what was coming. The vessel was overcome by a strong storm near Kushimoto. It was dashed into the rocks. Nearly 600 crew members, including Adm. Osman, died in this tragic incident.
The local people took good care of the survivors. A donation campaign was launched by Torajiro Yamada for the martyrs’ relatives and the victims. The money that was raised was give to the sultan by this young man.

Even though the fate of the Ertuðrul was truly sad, it represented the start of Turkish-Japanese relations. Kushimoto is a town on the island of Honshu. Today Kushimoto is a sister city to the Turkish cities of Mersin and Yakakent.
Despite all the time that has passed since the wreck of the Ertuðrul, the people of the island never forgot the sad event; they still deeply love Turkey. The ship’s role is quite visible.

A memorial was built in the region for those who died in the wreck. The first part of the memorial was built by the Japanese in 1891 and it was further expanded in 1929. The Japanese emperor visited the memorial on June 3, 1929, and it was restored in 1937 -- this time by Turkey. The military attaches of the Turkish Embassy in Tokyo hold an annual ceremony at the memorial.

There is also a museum that was built to commemorate the incident. It was built in 1974 and contains a miniature version of the Ertuðrul, as well as photos and statues of the commanders and naval officers. Many tourists from Turkey, as well as Japanese citizens, visit this museum.
The Ertuðrul still has not been forgotten in the Japanese Navy and it is still under water. However, a three-year project will pull what remains of the vessel out of the ocean. The recovery of the Ertuðrul will be a joint Turkish-Japanese project and it will be broadcast live on Japanese TV stations and the Internet.


28 August 2008, Thursday
SAÝM ORHAN, TODAY'S ZAMAN