Tomb of the Patriotic General Shen Shouchang

Tomb of the Patriotic General Shen Shouchang

The Tomb of the Patriotic General Shen Shouchang is a cultural tourism site and a base for patriotic education.

Shen Shouchang, a patriotic general of the late Qing Dynasty's Beiyang Navy. In the thirteenth year of the Tongzhi reign (1874), he studied at the Shanghai Foreign Affairs Bureau, then went to the United States with Yung Wing, becoming one of China’s first officially sponsored students abroad along with 120 others including Zhan Tianyou. In the seventh year of the Guangxu reign (1881), Shen Shouchang was recalled to China, entered the Beiyang Naval Academy, and after graduation served in the Beiyang Navy. In the fifteenth year of the Guangxu reign (1889), he was promoted to acting commander of the Left Battalion of the Central Army and served as executive officer (vice-captain) of the cruiser Jiyuan, concurrently holding the position of first lieutenant. On the 27th day of the sixth month in the twentieth year of the Guangxu reign (July 25, 1894), while returning from a mission, the Jiyuan was ambushed by the Japanese fleet in the waters off Fengdao Island outside Asan Bay in Korea, marking the outbreak of the First Sino-Japanese War. Shen Shouchang remained at his post, standing bravely on the observation deck under heavy fire to direct the ship’s guns, damaging two Japanese vessels. During the fierce battle, the observation deck was hit, and Shen Shouchang was fatally wounded by shrapnel to the head. He died on the spot at the age of 32. Shen Shouchang was the first naval officer to sacrifice his life for his country in the First Sino-Japanese War. His heroic dedication and fearless spirit are forever remembered in history.

Address: No. 500 Zhennan Road, Putuo District (Huaxi Campus of Tongji University)

Postal Code: 200331

Tel: 51030010

Fax: 62506812

Opening Hours: 8:00–16:00

Public Transport: Bus Route 838

Shen Shouchang (1863–1894), courtesy name Qinghe, was a native of Yangjing Town. Exceptionally bright and ambitious from a young age, at the age of twelve (the twelfth year of the Tongzhi reign, 1873), he was selected to be among the first group of Chinese children sent abroad to study. He studied at the Shanghai Foreign Affairs Bureau and, with outstanding performance, continued his studies in the United States, majoring in physics and chemistry at a Norwegian university. At the time, the Qing court was establishing its navy and urgently needed talent. In the seventh year of the Guangxu reign (1881), he was ordered to return to China and was assigned by Li Hongzhang, Viceroy of Zhili, to train aboard the cruiser Weiyuan, later serving as second lieutenant. In the twelfth year of the Guangxu reign, he became the first lieutenant of the Jiyuan. In the fifteenth year of the Guangxu reign, he was promoted to acting commander of the Left Battalion of the Central Army of the Beiyang Navy, and subsequently took on the role of executive officer of the Jiyuan... More details about Shen Shouchang ++