Zhiyuan-class cruiser
![]() Zhiyuan circa 1894
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Class overview | |
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Name | Zhiyuan class |
Builders | Armstrong Whitworth, Elswick, England |
Operators | ![]() |
In service | 29 September 1886 - 9 February 1895 |
Planned | 2 |
Completed | 2 |
Lost | 2 |
General characteristics | |
Type | Protected cruiser |
Displacement | 2,300 long tons (2,300 t) |
Length | 268 ft (82 m) |
Beam | 38 ft (12 m) |
Draft | 15 ft (4.6 m) |
Propulsion |
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Speed | 18 kn (33 km/h; 21 mph) |
Capacity | 510 tons of coal |
Complement | 204–260 officers and men |
Armament |
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Armour |
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The Zhiyuan class (Chinese: 致远级; pinyin: Zhiyuanji; Wade–Giles: Chih-yuan-chi) were two protected cruisers built during the late stages of the Qing dynasty. Both were sunk during the during the First Sino-Japanese War.
Context and build
[edit]In the late 19th century, the ships were built as part of Li Hongzhang's effort to modernize the Imperial Chinese Fleet.[1] Zhiyuan was built first and Jingyuan followed.
Both ships were built by Armstrong Whitworth in Elswick.
The main armament of the class consisted of three Krupp 21 cm MRK L/30 breechloaders. Secondary armament consisted of two 15 cm MRK L/35 breechloaders and 8 6-pdr L/40 Hotchkiss quick firing guns. There were installations to launch four torpedoes.[2]
Service of this class
[edit]Both cruisers took part in the Battle of Yalu River during the First Sino-Japanese War, with Zhiyuan being sunk in battle and Jingyuan damaged. Jingyuan was later sunk during the Battle of Weihaiwei in January 1895.[citation needed]
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- "CHN Chih Yuen". navalhistory.flixco.info.
- Jones, Marcus O. (2016). New Interpretations in Naval History: Selected Papers from the Seventeenth McMullen Naval History Symposium Held at the United States Naval Academy 15-16 September 2011. Government Printing Office. pp. 182–183.