Deng Shichang, formerly known as Yongchang, is also known as Zhengqing. Patriotic navy generals and national heroes in the late Qing Dynasty. Han nationality, originally from Panyu, Guangdong, was born in Huaide Town, Dongguan, Guangdong. 1868, with the desire to save the country, he entered Fuzhou Ship Administration School to study navigation, and achieved excellent results in all subjects, becoming the first graduate of the driving school class. 187 1 year, after graduating from Fuzhou ship administration school, he was sent to "Jianwei" to train ships and traveled all over the islands in Nanyang. 1874 was appointed as the first mate of the warship "Chen Hai", 1880 was transferred to Beiyang navy. He has served as the harness of Feiting, Zhennan mosquito gunboat, Yangwei and Zhiyuan boat. 1September, 894 17, died heroically in the Yellow Sea naval battle between China and Japan.
Since ancient times, sacrifice on the battlefield has always been the proud ambition of patriotic soldiers. Especially those who bravely went to the scene of the disaster but knew they were dead, they were more respected. Deng Shichang, who died in the Sino-Japanese War, was such a person.
Deng Shichang was one of the earliest naval officers in China, and the captain of beiyang fleet Zhiyuan Ship in Qing Dynasty. He has a strong patriotism and often says to soldiers, "Who died? I hope we die well and die well! " 1894, the Sino-Japanese Sino-Japanese War of 1894 broke out. Deng Shichang has said many times: If I meet a Japanese ship at sea and encounter danger, I will sink into the sea with it!
One day in September this year, the Japanese fleet suddenly attacked the Chinese fleet, and a naval battle began, that is, the Yellow Sea War. During the war, China's flagship was injured and its national flag was shot down. Deng Shichang immediately ordered to fly the national flag on his ship to attract enemy ships. His command is the most heroic in this battle. Guns fired back and forth, hitting Japanese ships again and again. Surrounded by Japanese ships, Zhiyuan ship was seriously injured and began to tilt, and the shells were exhausted. Deng Shichang felt that the last moment had come, so he said to his men, "When we die, we should also strengthen the prestige of the China navy. It's time to serve the country! " He ordered to rush to the Japanese ship "Yoshino" and make every effort to die with it. This fearless spirit frightened the Japanese.
Unfortunately, Zhiyuan ship was hit by a torpedo when it was advancing, and its hull exploded and sank to the bottom of the sea. Most of the more than 200 officers and men died. Deng Shichang was rescued by his men with a life buoy and his dog "Sun". But when he saw that none of his men were spared, he resolutely quit the lifebuoy, pushed his dog into the water and sank into the sea together, giving his precious life.
After Deng Shichang's death, the whole country was shocked. Emperor Guangxu wrote a couplet with tears in his eyes: "On this day, the world shed tears and there was a powerful navy." He posthumously awarded Deng Shichang titles such as "Gong" and "Prince Shao Bao", and went to a temple in Beijing to write a eulogy and inscription with Yu Biqin. In the year of "Serving the Dadonggou Navy who died in battle", Li Hongzhang showed his political achievements. He said, Deng Shichang, Liu, etc. It is also indispensable. The Qing court also presented Deng with a large gold plaque weighing 1.5 Jin and 65438+2000 silver coins to show his support for the elderly. Deng used the money to erect a monument for Deng Shichang in Panyu, Guangdong, and built the Down's Ancestral Hall. 1899, Weihai people felt loyal and built a shrine for the statue of Deng Shichang in Chengshan, hoping to enjoy it forever. 199665438+On February 28th, the PLA Navy named the new ocean-going comprehensive training ship "Shichang" as a memorial.