The sixteen-gun Dutch warship Medusa cruises into Shimonoseki Strait on July 11 despite warnings from the crew of the Kien Chan.

Her skipper, Captain François de Casembroot, is convinced that Lord Mori will not dare fire on his vessel due to the strength of his ship and longstanding relations between the Netherlands and Japan.

But Takachika does just that, pounding Medusa with more than thirty shells and killing or wounding nine seamen.

De Casembroot returns fire and runs the rebel gauntlet at full speed, fearful of endangering the life of the Dutch Consul General, who is on board.

Within a short time, the Japanese warlord has managed to fire on the flags of most of the nations with consulates in Japan.