Chinese cruiser Nan Shui
Nan Shui (Chinese: 南瑞; pinyin: Nánruì; lit. 'Blessing of the South') was an unprotected cruiser built for the Imperial Chinese Navy. She was built by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft, Kiel, Germany, while her armament was installed by Armstrong Whitworth, Elswick, England. She, alongside her sister vessel Nan Chen, which was based on the design of the cruiser Kai Chi. Nan Shui was considered to be obsolete by the Western Powers even at the time of her construction.
Nan Shui | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Imperial China | |
| Name | Nan Shui |
| Ordered | Early 1883 |
| Builder | Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft, Kiel, Germany |
| Launched | 8 January 1884 |
| Decommissioned | 1903 |
| Fate | Sold as scrap, 1906 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Nan Chen-class unprotected cruiser |
| Displacement | 2,200 long tons (2,200 t) |
| Length | 275.5 ft (84.0 m) |
| Beam | 37.5 ft (11.4 m) |
| Draft | 15 ft (4.6 m) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph) |
| Capacity | 600 tons of coal |
| Complement | 250 |
| Armament |
|
| Armor | Cork belt at waterline |
She was active during the Sino-French War of 1884–1885, first as part of a defensive squadron based at Nanking (now Nanjing). Nan Shui then formed part of the cruiser force of the Chinese squadron sent to engage the French blockade of Formosa (now Taiwan) which resulted in the Battle of Shipu. Following the battle, Nan Shui was blockaded into the port of Ningpo (now Ningbo) until the end of the war. She was eventually decommissioned in 1903, and was sold as scrap in 1906.