The Translation of Torpedoes and Torpedo Warfare and the Introduction of Western Naval Technologies to China in the Late Qing Dynasty

The Chinese translation of Torpedoes and Torpedo Warfare was the first specialized military publication that fully introduced knowledge about torpedoes and fish torpedoes to China. This translation was done during the 1880s, a period when Chinese supporters of westernization were trying to introduce western naval technologies and equipment. This paper is focused on analyzing the content of the original copy, arrangement of the translators, quality of translation, etc. The article further traces and discusses the connections between the translated Chinese version of Torpedoes and other publications, the specific social factors driving and influencing such translation activities, and the translation's influences on Western Learning and introduction of naval technology and equipment.