The fiercely anti-Western Chōshū clan, based in Shimoneseki on the island of Honshu, had been fanatically enforcing Emperor Komei's order for the expulsion of westerners, attacking foreign shipping. The U.S. warship Wyoming, with two French ships, entered the Shimoneseki Straights, sunk two vessels, and shelled shore installations to punish the Chōshū for their treaty breaches. Four U.S. Navy men were killed in the attack. (By John Osborne)