Salutations, fellow players and naval enthusiasts.
We are finally proposing a Chinese Bluewater Tech Tree. It consists of ships used between 1885 and 1971. This time period engulfs the navies of Qing Empire, Republic of China before and after the Northern expedition, People’s Republic of China, modern Republic of China and Taiwan. We tried to keep the Tech Tree fresh, unique and functional but we also included ships that played an important part in Chinese naval history.
For most of its history the Chinese Navy battled with inadequate equipment and lack of funding due to China historically being a land power with a focus on the infantry and Army. During late Qing dynasty some royal naval officials lobbied to modernise their navy to no avail. Similarly the early years of the Republic of China produced little progress in modernising the Navy as all such efforts were halted due to the First World War since most of the contractors were from the beligerent countries. What followed was the Warlord Era and the Chinese Civil War combined with the Second World War when the Navy was left in ever growing disrepair with very few positive moments in the early 1930s when Ping Hai and Ning Hai got constructed. After 1949, after the end of the Civil War, both People’s Republic of China and the Republic of China in Taiwan gained new momentum and help from Soviet Union and USA respectively. Today both Navies are considered modern and well equipped with domestic equipment.
The Tech Tree notably lacks V Rank due to China never acquiring proper battleships. Due to the lack of proper industrial capabilities, the vessels in the Tech Tree bear the equipment from many different nations: Germany, UK, Austria-Hungary, USA, Soviet Union, Italy, Japan and China itself. The Tech Tree in its current form includes 2 copy-paste ships (Chongquing and Anshan) because the mark they left on Chinese naval history.
There are multiple variations of spelling of chinese character in the latin alphabet and we chose according to the ones in the sources used. If yout think there are better alternatives to those, please let us know.
We are open to and welcome any constructive criticism and debate the Tech Tree we proposed.
Republican line
I Rank
Dan Yang (1956)
Dan Yang, riginally named Yukikaze was launched on March 24th, 1938 as part of Kagerō-class destroyers. She was comissioned in 1940 and used by Imperial Japanese Navy throughout whole Second World War. Yukikaze measured 118,5 meters in length, with a beam of 10,8 meters and a draft of 3,76 meters. Powered by two geared steam turbines, each powering their own shafts with output of 52000 horse powers, than enabled speed of 35,5 knots. She saw action during battle of Guadacanal and afterwards conducted a successful evacuation during Operation Ke. She later survived the Battle of the Bismarck Sea undamaged and helped rescuing survivors. During battle of Kolombangara she was a flotilla leader of destroyers where they succesfully damaging USS Honolulu. during 1944 she escorted tankers to Singapore from Moji, light aircraft carrier with convoy back to Moji and later to Saipan and Yokosuka. Afterwards she escorted another light aircraft carrier to Guam. Between April 20th and May 1st she was escorting warships from Kure to Lingga. She was was assigned to help protecting Phillippines. She was again assigned to escort oil tankers. By October 1940 Yukikaze arrived to Brunei where Japanese Navy regrouped and decided to attack Allied vessels at Leyte Gulf. She again remained undamaged during the battle. After the battle she was stuck at Brunei where US pilot killed one of their anti-air machine gunners. Latee they sailed to Kure, Japan and then escorted a battleship Nagato to Yokosuka. She then unsuccesfully tried to safely escort Shinano to Kure but the aircraft carrier got sunk. For the battle of Okinawa destroyer was assigned to help Yamato reach her destination. Operation was unsuccesfully since fleet was intercelted by planes which bombarded and sunk many Japanese warships, Yamato included. After the battle she again took part in rescuing survivors and set sail to Sasebo. There she stayed until getting enough fuel to evacuate to Ōjima. Yukikaze was the only surviving ship of her class and while participating in one of the most major naval battles for Japan she was able to never get hit by torpedo or naval shell. After the war all of her armaments got removed and partook in transporting Japanese prisoners of war back home. As part of war reparatikns, Yukikaze was given to China. In 1947 it set course to Shanghai. By May 1st, 1948 it was renamed to Dan Yang and numbered DD-12, becoming flagship of Republican navy. It was unarmed and was kept in port, used as a training vessel and without proper maintanance. As a result of military failures of Nationalist forces and approachment of Communists it was decided to tow Dan Yang from Shangai to Keelung, Taiwan to avoid capture. After repair in Keelung, it was transferred to Zuoying military port, where rearmament plan was put into practice. The refit lasted until 1952. The new weaponry consisted of one dual turret with Type 89 127 mm cannons in the front, and two dual turrets at the back with dual Type 98 100 mm cannons. It had eight type 96 25 mm cannons. It lacked torpedos but had depth chargers. In August of 1953 the destroyer visited Manila in Philippines for a diplomatic visit and training of the crew. By 1954 Dan Yang saw action by capturing Polish and Soviet tankers which were confiscated and put under service of Republic of China. Due to exhaustion of maintanance parts and lack of proper ammunition, it was decided to remove all the Japanese made armament after the ship came to home port from a shelling of communist positions in 1956. Three single Mark 12 5"/38-caliber guns were installed in open mounts, one at the front and two at back. Additinal armament consisted of two Mark 22, eight and later ten Bofors 40 mm L/60 cannons, two Mark 6 depth bomb delivery rails, 24 Mark 9 depth bombs. Dan Yang saw no action during Second Taiwan Strait Crisis in 1958. But she did Tuojiang ship commit a rescue operation of Tiuojiang ship after bombardment of Kinmen. During May, 1964 she participated in was support in infiltration operation to islands in South China Sea. While she was still presented in ship viewing ceremony in December of 1964 signs of aging became present. By 1966 her flag was lowered and used as a training ship until being damaged in typhoon in 1969. She was officially comissioned in 1971 and fully dismantled by the very end of the year. Some of dismantled parts like anchor and steering wheel were gifted back to Japan.
Length: 118,5 m
Beam: 10,8 m
Draught: 3,76 m
Maximum speed:
Armament: 1 × 2 Type 89 127 mm cannons, 2 × 2 type 98 100 mm cannons, 8 type 96 25 mm cannons, depth charges
Individual suggestion:
https://forum.warthunder.com/t/from-exile-to-exile-the-rocs-flagship-kagero-class-destroyer-tan-yang-dd-12-refits-1952-1954-1959/152521
Dan Yang (1953)
Dan Yang, originally known as Yukikaze. Rearmed version after 1951-1952 refit with Japanese weaponry consisting of one dual turret with Type 89 127 mm cannons in the front, and two dual turrets at the back with dual Type 98 100 mm cannons. It had eight type 96 25 mm cannons and depth charges.
Length: 118,5 m
Beam: 10,8 m
Draught: 3,76 m
Maximum speed:
Armament: 1 × 2 Type 89 127 mm cannons, 2 × 2 type 98 100 mm cannons, 8 type 96 25 mm cannons, depth charges
II Rank
An Yang (1976)
An Yang was a destroyer built by the Betlehem Mariners Harbour in New York under the name USS Kimberly and was later refitted at the No. 1 Naval Shipyard. She measured at a length of 114.7 m with abeam of 12.1 m and a draft of 5.4 m. The complement carried was 336 sailors. After the refit she was armed with two single 5-inch guns, one OTO 76 mm gun, two twin Bofors 40 mm guns, CR 201 trainable chaff rockets, a Mark 10 Hedgehog, two triple Mark 32 torpedo tubes and depth charges. In 1981 the Hsiung Feng I and the Haishu missiles were added. An Yang started out as USS Kimberly, a Fletcher-class destroyer which served with the United States Navy until 1967. She saw her first action in the Gilbert Islands campaign where she served in the ASW screen and supported the Marines with naval gunfire support. After that she sailed to San Francisco for repairs. She returned to the Aleutian Islands where she enacted shore bombardment, ASW patrols and some training exercises before returning to an Francisco. Later USS Kimberly joined the Philippines campaign where she mostly served as an escort for convoys in preparations for the invasion of Luzon during which she claimed 4 aircraft kills. In February 1945, during preparations for the Okinawa campaign, she was serving as a radar picket and was attacked by two aircraft, of which one managed to crash into the aft gun mounts, which forced Kimberly to sail to Mare Island Naval Shipyard for repairs. After repairs she sailed to join the 3rd Fleet and entered Tokyo Bay after the surrender before returning to the USA and being placed in reserve. When hostilities broke out in Korea she was recommissioned and used for fire support operations after a shakedown. She served also as a ASW and aircraft screen for carriers. After that Kimberly operated in training exercises along the Atlantic coast. On June 1, 1967 she was loaned to the Republic of China and was commissioned as ROCS An Yang the same day. In 1976 she underwent an overhaul and Liulong project at the No. 1 Naval Shipyard. An Yang was decommissioned in 1999 and later sunk as a target in 2003 by ROCS Hai Lung.
III Rank
Number 64, series II
Number 64 was a planned light cruiser ordered by the Republic of China Navy, which was to be built by Cantiere Navale Triestino in Monfalcone, Austria-Hungary. The class was also known as the Monfalcone type light cruisers. Her length was 106 m, her beam was 10.9 m and draught was 4 m. She displaced 1800 tons. Ship’s armament consisted of eight Škoda 7 cm K10 guns, four QF 3-pounder Hotchkiss and two single tube 450 mm. The design was later amended due to concerns of Chinese officials with the 15 cm gun turrets and hull strength, consequently twin mounted 12 cm/50 guns in turrets were used.
Length: 106 m
Beam: 10,9 m
Draught: 4 m
Max. speed: 24,5 kn
Armament: 4 × Škoda 120 mm/50 guns, 8 × 66 mm/50 guns, 4 × 47 mm/ 44 guns, 2 × 450 mm torpedo tubes
Individual suggestion:
https://forum.warthunder.com/t/liushisi-hao-monfalcone-light-cruiser-class-no-64/104355
Ping Hai
Ping Hai was a light cruiser built by Kiangnan Dock and Engineering in Shanghai, China. She laid down in 1931 and completed in 1936. Her length was 110 m with a beam of 12 m and draught of 4 m. She displaced 2448 tons. Her armament consisted of six 14 cm/ 50 naval guns in double gun turrets, three 76 mm AA guns, four 57 mm AA guns, four machine guns, four 533 mm torpedo tubes in double mounts and nine depth charges. After she was commissioned in 1937 she served as the flagship of the ROCN. After being targeted by aerial attacks since the Battle of Shanghai, she was sunk during the assault on Kiangyin Fortress as did her sister ship Ning Hai. Due to having sunk in river water and consequently being less corroded Ping Hai was refloated by the Japanese in 1938. Despite originally meant for the Collaborationist navy under Wang Jing-Wei she was towed to Sasebo. At first she was outfitted as a barracks hulk Mishima and later as escort ship Yasoshima. Afterwards she received the rating of coastal defence ship and later of escort vessel. Because of this she last her cruiser armaments and received dual-purpose and AA weapons and radar sets. Ping Hai participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf and was later sunk west of Luzon in 1944 by aircraft from Langley and USS Ticonderoga.
Length: 110 m
Beam: 12 m
Draught: 4 m
Max. speed: 21 kn
Armament: 6 × 140 mm/ 50 guns, 3 × 76 mm AA guns, 4 × 57 mm AA guns, 4 × machine guns, 4 × 533 mm torpedo tubes, 9 × depth charges
Individual suggestion:
https://forum.warthunder.com/t/ning-hai-class-cruiser-ping-hai-peaceful-seas/104354
Ning Hai
Ning Hai was a light cruiser that was constructed at the Harima shipyards in 1931 and commissioned in 1932. She measured at 110 m with a beam of 12 m and draught of 4 m and displaced 2526 tons. Her armament consisted of six 14 cm/50 3rd year type naval guns mounted in double gun turrets, six 8 cm/40 3rd year type guns, eight Vickers 2-pounder AA guns, four 533 mm torpedo tubes in double mounts as well as 9 depth charges which was comparable to ships with a larger displacement of the time. She also was equipped with a small hangar two Aichi AB-3 biplanes. After her commissioning, she served as the flagship of the Chinese navy until Ping Hai was commissioned. She was also used in the funeral of Japanese Fleet Admiral Togo Heihachiro. Being the among the largest vessels of the ROCN she was targeted by the Japanese during the Second Sino-Japanese war and was sunk two days after the assault on Kiangyin Fortress during which she also sustained damage from bombs. A year after the Japanese captured her wreck in April, 1938 an unsuccessful attempt was made at refloating. She was successfully refloated in May of the same year and was towed to Shanghai and later to Sasebo Naval District where she was reclassified as a training and coastal defence ship Mikura. Despite this the ship remained moored and was used as barracks until December 1943. Due to the increasing pressure from allied submarine presence she was towed to the Harima shipyards and reconstructed into a Kaibokan, an escort ship. The works concluded in June 1944 and the ship was commissioned as Ioshima into the Imperial Japanese Navy. After training she escorted a convoy of escorts to Iwo Jima when she narrowly escaped a submarine attack but was subsequently sunk by USS Shad south of Cape Omaezaki.
Length: 110 m
Beam: 12 m
Draught: 4 m
Max. speed: 23.2 kn
Armament: 6 × 14 cm/50 3rd Year Type naval guns, 6 × 8 cm/40 3rd Year Type naval guns, 8 × Vickers 2-pounder AA guns, 10 × Vickers machine guns, 4 × 533 mm torpedo tubes, 9 × depth charges
Individual suggestion:
IV Rank
Chongquing
Built by Portsmouth Dockyard as HMS Aurora, the last of the 4 Arethusa-class cruisers to be built. The keel was laid down on 27th of July 1936, she was launched on 20 August 1936, and finally commissioned on 12th of November 1937. During Second World War she served at first Home Fleet until the Fall of 1941 after which cruiser fought in Mediterranean. Aurora meausured about 154 meters in length, around 15,50 meters in width and had a draft of around 5 meters. Her Four Parsons geared steam turbines and four Admiralry 3-drum oil-fired boilers powered 4 shafts with the output if 64000 horse powers. Maximum speed was around 32 knots. HMS Aurora, the renames to Chongquing set course to China by May of 1948. She was given to Kuomintang government to compensate for Chinese ships United Kingdom seized at Hong Kong and were later destroyed. At the time of the arrival to China Chongquing’s main armament consisted of three 50-calibre 6-inch twin turrets, two at front and one in the rear, four QF 4-inch twin dual-purpose secondary turrets, distributed on both sides in the rear of the chimney and the rear mast. Anti aircraft weaponry was two quadruple mounts of QF-2 pounders quad guns with additional three dual and two single 20 mm Oerlikon Autocannons were installed There were two groups of triple-mounted 533 mm torpedo tubes on the port and starboard behind the midship. Two sets depth charge launchers and minesweepers. It was equipped with a high-angle director control tower and 284/286 air search radars, 273 and 271 sea search radars, and 285 and 282 air fire control radars. These radars and fire control directors on the cruiser made for an advanced fire control system at the time. At the time of the arrival to China she was the largest warship under control of Republic of China. Problems on warship appeared almost immideatly after its arrival to China. Following the arrival to Hong Kong up to one third of the crew escaped from the ship never to be seen again nevertheless naval leadership under leadership of Gui Yongquing remained confident. With the continuation of the Chinese civil war, specifically launch of Liaoshen campaign the Chongquing was dispatched Northeast to gulf of Bohai. She provided fire from sea for Kuomintang forces against the communist Northeast Field Army over October and November of 1948. Chiang Kai-Shek himself commanded the cruiser when staying aboard during communist offensice. While nearing the end of campaign she helped in evacuation of Nationalist troops and vessels. After failed Nationalist defensive efforts Chongquing set sail to Shanghai. There disconent of the crew grew which resulted in formation of secret revoltuonary cells. Additionally there was a huge sum of silver silver dollars on board while payment of sailors was low and uncertainty grew due to rumours of ship’s captain Deng Zhaoxiang being replaced. While anchored at Wusongkou part of the crew organised »Liberation Committee« and began an organised revolt in the early hours of February 25. They cut means of communication with outside world and armed themselves and even preleared to blow up the ship is their demands were not met. After rounding up officers and convincing their captain Denc Zhaoxiang, the largest warship of Natioalist forces set course to Yantai which was under control of PLA. After the arrival to the Yantai Port communist forces and later mayor of the city boarded the ship with goal of preventing anti revolitionary uprising. While stationed at the port Kuomintang foves located the cruiser and unsuccesfuly conducted first bombing raid against Chongquing. Afterwards they set sail to Huludao where she stayed for few weeks. She was again bombarded unsuccsefully at Huludao again on March 19, 1949. After more initially unsuccessful raids, three bombs finally scored a direct hit and sank it. Some of the equipment and weaponry was safely put ashore. In 1951 the salvage operation began with Soviet help. After being raised up and inspected Soviet experts concluded that repairing the cruiser was too costly and of little value and decision was made to scrap it. On October 27, 1959, the Navy handed over the ship’s hull to the Salvage Engineering Bureau of the Ministry of Transport. There was additional project in 1959 reuse the hull as rescue and salvage ship but the idea was abandoned. Between 1965 and 1990s she was reused as offshore accommodation ship. Afterwards she was finally dismantled.
Length: 154 m
Beam: 15,5 m
Draught: 5 m
Maximum speed: 32 knots
Armament: 3 × 2 50-calibre 6-inch cannons, 4 × 2 QF 4-pounders, 2 × 4 QF 2-pounders, 3 × 2 20 mm Oerlikon, 2 20 mm Oerlikon, 2 × 3 533 mm torpedo tubes, 2 depth charge launchers
Number 68
Number 68 cruiser also known as Monfalcone-class cruiser was an armoured cruiser being built by the Cantiere Navale Triestino in Monfalcone, Austria-Hungary. The ship was 137 m long, had a beam of 14.7 m and a draught of 4.9 m. Her displacement was 4800 tons. She was armed with four twin mounted 203 mm/L50 guns, twelve single 120 mm/45 guns, ten single 47 mm/50 AA guns, four single 37 mm/42 AA guns, sixteen single 13.2 mm/42 machineguns, eight single 7.9 mm/80 machineguns and two single 450 mm torpedo tubes. At the end of WWI Škoda, who was the company contracted to build the artillery and was currently in ownership of Cantiere Navale Triestino, contacted the Chinese government regarding the sale of the cruiser. The talks shifted to building a new heavy cruiser design with existing materials but any further negotiations were halted due to the death of Yuan Shikai and fracture of the Republican government.
Length: 137 m
Beam: 14,7 m
Draught: 4,9 m
Max. speed: 24.3 m
Armament: 4 × twin 203 mm/L50 guns, 12 × single 120 mm/45 guns, 10 × single 47 mm/50 AA guns, 4 × single 37 mm/42 AA guns, 16 × 13.2 mm/42 machineguns, 8 × 7.9 mm/80 machine guns, 2 × 450 mm torpedo tubes
Individual suggestion:
https://forum.warthunder.com/t/no-68-cnt-monfalcone-shipyard-4900-ton-heavy-cruiser-for-the-chinese-navy/106887
Imperial line
I Rank
Chao Ho
As plan to reorganise Chinese navy within 7 year modernisation plan a fact-finding trip was sent to Europe, USA and Japan in the years 1909 and 1910. It resulted in ordering three new cruisers as part of Chao Ho-class. All three were ordered at different companies with all three cruisers being slightly different. The Chao Ho was built by Armstrong Whithworth at Elswick. Cruiser was laid down on the 7th of November, 1910 and launched on the 23rd of October, 1911. She was 105,5 meters long and beam of around 13 meters. Her draught was around 4,5 meters deep. Her trials done in early 1912. Propulsion consisted of Parsons Marine steam turbines and 4 Yarrow boilers propelling three shafts while producing 6000 horse powers. Her delivery to Chinese navy was postponed due to the overthrow of Qing dynasty and the newly established Republic of China had to renegotiate the loans and payments. After successful negotiations Chao Ho together with Ying Rui arrived to China in early 1913. Chao Ho saw no major action during the Great War. An incident occured in 1915 while stationed at Shanghai when southern insurgents loyal to Kuomintang boarded the Chao Ho and tried to unsuccessfully force the crew to open fire on friendly vessels. She was stationed in by 1923 Qingdao becoming part of Northeastern Fleet. She commited against Manchurian forces and later retreating back to Qingdao. Due to unstable allegiances Chao Ho together with destroyer Tung An threatened to bombard the city if their demands for food, ammunition and coal were not met changing the allegiance to Zhang Zongchang for short time. She remained loyal to Beiyang government during Northern Expedition of Kuomintang. During March, 1927 she was sent to cover a retreat of forces loyal to Beijing on Yangtze. Leter on 18th of May, 1927, Hai Qi and Chao Ho aattacked Wusong for the first time but causing only minor damage with the attack being quickly repelled. In August a short lived mutiny errupted on the cruiser but was suppressed by interference from other vessels. Chao Ho bombarded Wusong thrice more in August and once in September. During May, 1928 Hai Qi, Chao Ho, Hai Chen with two transport boats appeared off Amoy and temporarily occupy the island of Quemoy for a few days. After reorganisation of Northeastern Squadron sailors took new commander as a hostage. Situation was later resolved by Zhang Zongchang apprehending the sailors and dismissed them. After final collapse of Beiyang regime and Northeast Flag Replacement in December of 1928 Ho came under control of Nationalist government. Due to the North-East squadron with port in Qingdao remained sidelined since 1929, another mutiny appeared in July, 1933 when Chao Ho with other vessels defected to the Guangdong becoming a part of Southern Fleet. 2 years later in June, 1935 another rebellion occured when Chao Ho together with sister ships Hai Qi and Hai Tien mutinied and set sail from Guangzdong to Hong Kong. Chao Ho was left behind due to her turbine having been dismantled and being stuck. She remained there all the way up to 1937 when Japan attacked China after July 7th Incident. Her duty was to reinforce the forts at Humen, also named Bocca Tigris. First Japanese attack on Humen commerced on the 14th of September. There Chinese forces successfully repelled the attackers from sea with subsequent attacks coming from air through boming raids. Chao Ho was succesfully sunk by Japanese at the end of September 1937.
Length: 105,5 m
Beam: 12,8 m
Draught: 4,5 m
Max. speed: 22 knots
Armament: 2 x 6-inch/50, 4 x 4-inch/50, 2 x 3-inch/50, 6 x 3-pounder, 2 x 37 mm Maxim, 2 x 18-inch torpedo tubes
Individual suggestion:
Chao Ho Class Protected Cruiser, Chao Ho
II Rank
Hai Yung
During the First Sino-Japanese war the bulk of the Beiyang Fleet got destroyed. By the end 1996 orders to build newer, more modern reinforcements for the damaged fleet were already placed. One of the newly ordered ships was Hai Yung-class protected cruisers ordered at Vulcan in Germany. One of these was Hai Yung launched in 1897 set sail to China by 1898 with German reserve crew onboard. During trials Hai Yung reached the speed of 20,7 knots. Engines were able to produce 8000 indicated horse powers which powered shafts. She measured 100 meters in length, 12,5 meters in width and a draught of 5,8 meters. The ship was armed with three 15 cm L/40 quick firing cannons, eight 10.5 cm L/40 cannons, six 37 mm single mounted Hotchkiss guns, six Maxim machine guns and three torpedo tubes. Hai Yung was detained by the Europeans during Boxer rebellion and did not participate in combat. During Russo-Japanese war Hai Yung with other cruisers tried to protect Chinese waters and even detained Russian warships. From 1906 to 1907 after some setbacks Hai Yung with Hai Qi sailed across South East Asia to inquire about overseas Chinese and as means of propaganda. She also partook in the reception of American fleet at Xiamen on October 30, 1908. In 1910 she arrived in Macau during a border dispute with Portuguese. During the Xinhai revolution Hai Yung sided with Qing dynasty and took action in bombarding revolutionary army but majority of mid level officers were sympathisers of revolutionaries and in turn she switched sides and on 15th of November, 1911 she officialy joined revolutionary force. In the following month she took part in bombaring the Qing forces along the banks of Yangtze. In 1912 Hai Yung took part in an expedition aimed at securing the authority of the provisional government. During 1913 she was sent south to help in surpressing a rebellion against the regime of Beiyang government. Hai Yung collided in an accident with Hsin Yu in 1916 which caused the latter to sink. After China declared war on Central Powers she also helped to confiscate Austro-Hungarian and German equipment in China. During The First Zhili-Fengtian war she sailed on the side of Zhili Clique. During The Northern Expedition which lasted from 1926 to 1928 Hai Yung passed to the Kuomintang government. In 1928 she was rearmed. The following year Ying Rui with other ships escorted troop transport ships during the Chang-Gui War. By the 1937 Ying Rui was found obsolete and as the tentions rose between China and Japan they decided to sink her with other old ships to create a blockade. In 1956 the Shanghai Salvage Engineering Bereau dismantled her for metal.
Length: 100 m
Beam: 12,5 m
Draught: 5,8 m
Max. speed: 20,7 kn
Armament: 3 15 cm SK L/40 cannons, 10,5 cm SK L/40 cannons, 6 37 mm Hotchkiss gun, 6 Maxim machine guns, 3 355 mm torpedo tubes
Individual suggestion:
https://forum.warthunder.com/t/h-irong-class-protected-cruiser-hai-yung/104352
III Rank
Hai Qi
After the First Sino-Japanese War Beiyang Fleet found itself in need of new warships. By the end of 1966 orders were already in place. The biggest of new ships was Hai Qi-class of two cruisers built by Armstrong. Hai Qi was laid down in November, 1896 and was commissioned into the Chinese navy by August of 1899. Hai Qi-class cruisers were last two to arrive of the newly ordered ships. Having an overall length of 129,2 meters, width of 14,2 meters and draught of around 6 meters she was able to achieve maximum speed of 24 knots with boilers producing maximum of 17000 indicated horse powers and powering 2 shafts. Armament consisted of two 203 mm 45 caluber cannons, ten 120 mm 45 caliber cannons and sixteen 47 mm 40 caliber Hotckiss cannons. She had five above water torpedo tubes, one at a bow and four on the broadside. During the Boxer Rebellion Hai Qi did not engage in combat but was stationed in the Gulf of Pechihli also helping missionaries with humanitarian aid and helped a ship who ran aground due to fog. She later sailed south perhaps due to fear of being handed to Russians as a prize. In 1906 Hai Qi together with Hai Yung set sail for Southeast Asia to inquire about overseas Chinese and for propaganda. During October 1908 Hai Qi together with other ships welcomed the visit of one divisin of American »Great White Fleet« during their visit of China. In 1911 after the coronation of King George V Hai Qi took part in coronation fleet review in Solent. In the meantime revolution of Qing dynasty began. After completing her journey she was stationed in Wusong. Crew of Hai Chi later aligned themselves with the rebels. Hai Qi took part in bombardment of rebels during The Second Revolution in 1913 together with ships whose allegiance lied with Beijing and Yuan Shikai. By 1917 as political stage changed so did the loyalty of the crews and Hai Qi left Shanghai together with some other ships which picked up Sun Yat Sen en route. Later in 1923 she changed sides again and joined the Beiyang government. During the Warlord Era Chinese navy faced problems with paying the crews and acquiring fuel for the ships. On January 5, 1924 she sailed with other ships to Tsingtao. Hai Qi was later noted for shelling Manchurian munition trains and aeroplane. But later down the line by 1926 Hai Qi joined Fengtian clique under the Zhang Zuolin and participated into a fight against Taku fortress and by 1927 she was tasked to protect the entrance of Yangtze to assist the troops at crossing it. She remained in the hands of Fengtian clique, helping to bombard ports and protect Manchurian waters until 1928 when Nationalists completed their Northern Expedition and defeated the Beiyang govoernment. Hai Qi together with certain ships mutinied and became part of Guangdong fleet in 1933 because after Nationalist takeover North-East also named Third Fleet lacked funds and crews were underpaid. Under the new command things were not much better and there was another mutiny by 1935 of which in the aftermath they engaged against Guangdong airceaft and sailed to Hong Kong. They sailed back to Guangdong and after negotiations they were put nd in Nanjing. The cruiser already in poor condition finished her service as a blockship on Yangtze river on September 25, 1937. She was finally cut and dismantled in on May 27, 1960.
Length: 129,2 m
Beam: 14,2 m
Draught: 6 m
Maximum speed: 24 kn
Armament: 2 203 mm 45 calibre cannons, 10 120 mm 45 caliber cannons, QF 3-pounder Hotchkiss, 5 450 mm torpedo tubes
Premium/Event
I Rank
Ying Rui
As part of 7 year modernisation plan, between 1909 and 1910 a fact-finding trip was dispatched to Europe, USA and Japan. As a result Chinese navy ordered three new cruisers as part of the same Chao Ho-class but to be built by different companies, consequence of that decision was that all three cruisers were slightly different. Vickers Limited was ordered to build Ying Rui also spelled Ying Swei. She was laid down in late 1910 and launched in June, 1911. Eventough her trials were succesfuly completed by December of the same year but she arrived in China only in April, 1913 since in 1911 Qing dynasty has been overthrown and loans had to be renegotiated with newly formed regime. Her 6 boilerd produced 6000 horse powers and propelled 3 shafts. Her maximum speed was 20 knots. She measured around 100 meters in length, around 12 meters in width and had a draught of approximately 4 meters. Ying Rui was armed with two 152 mm Vickers cannons, four 100 mm cannons, two QF 14-pounders, six QF 3-pounders and two QF 1-pounders. Her two 457 mm torpedo tubes were mounted above water. Despite turbolent times between 1911 and 1917 she did not take action in skirmishes or muitines, siding with Beiyang government. By 1917 she was under command of Admiral Sa Zhenbing which declined to take action in the south and prevented Ying Rui from escorting Sun Yat-Sen south. She became part of Central Fleet. During First Zhil-Fengtian War Ying Rui took part in unsueccessfully attacking the garisson of the Anhui clique. In July of 1923 Ying Rui, together with Central Fleet, set sail south to city of Amoy to help to successfully retake control of the Fujian province and prevent more defections to the southern forces. By the 1926 Central Fleet stationed in Fujian was under command of Anhui clique who helped the Nanjing government who began thr Northern expedition. In March of 1927 Ying Rui while in port escaped a confrontation after surprise attack by Northeastern fleet, during April of the she confronted an enemy inflicting minor damage to the ship near Zhenjiang and during May she came as a reinforcement to bombadring Wusongkou when the ships of Norther Fleet fled. After the end of Northern Expedition she recieved Vicker anti-air cannons. Cruiser was also active during Chiang-Gui War, escorting transport and supply ships southwards to Humen and Shantou. After the July 7 incident, marking the beginning of Second Sino-Japanese War, six ships with one of them being Ying Rui helped setting a blockade on the Yangtze river near Jiangyin, preventing direct access to Nanjing from sea. On September 20 Ying Rui opened fire on two Japanese aircrafts losing 2 men and getting lightly damaged by bombs who fell in the nearby in the process. Two days later on Septmber 22 large air raid was launched. While none of the bombs hit the Ying Rui directly, damage from shrapnels caused a waker leakage in the boiler room. On 23rd aircraft focused more on the others ships leaving Ying Rui unharmed. Later in September she helped build additional blockade. On October 1937 having her main guns already damaged what was usable was removed at port to be used as coastal artillery leaving only two anti air cannons. Japanese finally sunk Ying Rui on October 23 succumbing to successul Japanese dive bombing attacks hitting her directly. Survey shop allegedly tried to still rescue her to no avail. In 1938 Japanese inspected the wreck deeming it not worthy of repair and finally salvaging it.
Length: 100 m
Beam: 12 m
Draught: 4 m
Max. speed: 20 kn
Armament: 2 152 mm cannons, 4 100 mm cannons, 2 QF 14-pounders, 6 QF 3-pounders, 2 QF 1-pounders, 2 457 mm torpedo tubes
II Rank
Anshan
Built under Project 7 or also Gnevny-class destroyers. Rekordny’s Major components for the ship at Shipyard no. 198 in
Nikolayev in 1936 and were then railed to
Vladivostok for completion at
Shipyard No. 202 where the ship was finaly laid down in July 1937 and
launched on April 6, 1939 and
commissioned on January 9, 1941. She served under Soviet Pacific Fleet and saw no major action during Second World War. It was acquired by People’s Liberation Army Navy by October 1954 together with 3 other destroyers of same class. At the time of its arrival it was the largest vessel of PLAN. It was offically commissioned into the navy the following year and renamed to Anshan. She measured 112,8 meters in length and was 10,2 meters wide with draft depending on sources being between 3,2 and 4,8 depending on a source. Propulsion consisted of two GTZA-24 geared steam turbines with 3 boilers producting 48000 hp propelling 2 shafts. Her top speed was around 38 knots. At the time of being commissioned she retained Soviet armament compromised of four single 130 mm/50 B-13 cannons, two single 76 mm/55 34-K, two single
45 mm 21-K cannons or four double 37 mm 61-K cannons, and four single
12.7 mm DShK, two triple 533 torpedo mounts with 58-53 torpedos and around 60 naval mines. By early 1970s Anshan destroyer had torpedo tubes removed in exchange for two twin SY-1 anti-ship missile mounts and new electronics. Throughout its career until being retired on April 24, 1992 Anshan participated in multiple military elercises, actions protecting sovereignity of PRC’s waters and military parades. While never participating in open combat, Anshan with destroyers of her class were important for Chinese sailors to accumulate experience of operating more modern military vessels for the future. Today she is an exhibit in the Chinese Naval Museum in Quingdao and still being maintained by military personnel.
Length: 112,8 m
Beam: 10,2 m
Draught: 4 m
Max. speed: 32 kn
Armament: 4 × 2 130 mm/50 B-13, 2 × 76 mm/55 34-K, 2 × 45 mm 21-K or 4 × 2 37 mm 61-K, 4 12,5 mm, 2 × 3 533 mm torpeso tubes, approximately 60 naval mines.
Individual suggestion:
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III Rank
Number 64, series I
Version of the Number 64 with two twin 15 cm turrets and one more funnel before the ammendment by Chinese officials.
Length: 106 m
Beam: 10,9 m
Draught: 4 m
Max. speed: 24,5 kn
Armament: 4 × Škoda 150 mm/50 guns, 8 × 66 mm/50 guns, 4 × 47 mm/ 44 guns, 2 × 450 mm torpedo tubes
Zhiyuan
Zhiyuan was protected cruiser built in 1887 by Armstrong Whitworth in Elswick, England. She was 82 m long, had a beam of 12 m and a draught of 4.6 m. Her displacement was 2300 tons and she carried a complement of 204 to 260 personnel. The armament consisted of three 8 in Krupp guns, two of them mounted on a platform at the front and one at the back, two 6 in Armstrong guns, eight OF 6-pounder Hotchkiss guns, two QF 3-pounder Hotchkiss, eight 1-pounder guns, six gatling guns and four torpedo tubes. After commissioning she was assigned to the Beiyang fleet. In 1894 Zhiyuan fought at the Battle of the Yalu River where she was sunk by Japanese forces.
Length: 82 m
Beam: 12 m
Draught: 4.6 m
Max. speed: 18 kn
Armament: 3 × 8 in Krupp guns, 2 × 6 in Armstrong guns, 8 × QF 6-pounder Hotchkiss guns, 2 × QF 3-pounder Hotchkiss guns, 8 × 1-pounder guns, 6 × gatling guns, 4 × torpedo tubes
Individual suggestion:
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We hope you enjoyed the presentation and please let us know your opinion below in the comments.
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