Battle of Okpo

The Joseon navy under Yi Sun-sin won its first major victory over the Japanese fleet at Okpo on Geoje Island.

In the first days of the war the fleet of Won Gyun, Right Naval Commander of Gyeongsang, all but collapsed. Answering his call for help, Yi Sun-sin, Left Naval Commander of Jeolla, sailed with 24 panokseon and other vessels and joined Won’s remaining ships. On the 7th of the fifth month they attacked Todo Takatora’s fleet anchored at Okpo and destroyed 26 ships without serious loss. They won again at Happo that day and at Jeokjinpo the next. The turtle ship was first used later, at the Battle of Sacheon.