In October 1888, Beiyang Navy was officially set up. Li Hongzhang was approved by the Qing government to appoint Ding Ruchang admiral of the Navy in charge of over forty battleships a commparatively large Navy in the world then.
In 1890 Ding Ruchang set up a school on Liugong Island.
On February 4th, 1895, a Japanese torpedo boat sneaked into the bay and sank DingRuchang by bombing.
With no hope reinforcement, made proper arrangements for the soldiers and local residents and killed himself by taking poison.
ON February 17th, 1895, the Japeness army occupied Liugong Island and Beiyang Navy was totally lost.
