One account places Tōgō in an acting command during late 1883, while others date his first ship command to 1884. He soon returned to Amagi, where he had previously served during the Imo Incident. An unwell captain may have left the first lieutenant temporarily running the ship. The available wording does not securely distinguish acting responsibility from a formal appointment.
Notable Point · 34:05-35:12
Why Tōgō's first command is difficult to date
Sources disagree over whether Tōgō briefly exercised acting command in 1883 or received his first formal command in 1884.