Zhiyuan-class cruiser

For cruisers in the Beiyang Fleet, see Beiyang Fleet.

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 First Sino-Japanese War.

Zhiyuan circa 1894
Class overview
Name	Zhiyuan class
Builders	Armstrong Whitworth, Elswick, England
Operators	Qing dynasty, Beiyang Fleet
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	Compound-expansion steam engine, two screws 4 x boilers
Speed	18 kn (33 km/h; 21 mph)
Capacity	510 tons of coal
Complement	204–260 officers and men
Armament	3 × 8 in (20 cm) Krupp guns 2 × 15 cm MRK L/35 (6 in) 8 × QF 6-pounder Hotchkiss guns 2 x QF 3-pounder Hotchkiss guns 8 x 1-pounder guns 6 x gatling guns 4 × above water torpedo tubes
Armour	Deck armour: 4 in (10 cm) (flat), 3 in (7.6 cm) (slope) Gun shields: 2 in (5.1 cm)

Context and build

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

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]}