The retired Destroyer Zhuhai (Hull 166) safely arrived at a wharf in southwestern China's Chongqing Municipality on June 26, after a 302-day voyage of more than 4,000 km.

The Destroyer Zhuhai (Hull 166) safely arrived at Jianshe Wharf in Jiulongpo District of Chongqing on June 26, after a 302-day voyage of more than 4,000 km. (Photo/ Zheng Yu)

After renovation, Hull 166, which has made brilliant contributions to the Chinese navy, opened its doors to the public on June 27 as a patriotism education base located at the Jianshe Wharf in Jiulongpo District.

Tickets for the 166 ship exhibition must be purchased online. Citizens are encouraged to purchase tickets through major online ticketing platforms such as Trip.com and Travelgo.com.

Made-in China missile destroyer

As one of China's self-developed Type 051 second-generation guided-missile destroyers, Hull 166 is more than 130 meters long, with a displacement of more than 3,600 tons and a speed of 59.264 km/h. It was built at Dalian Shipyard on October 31, 1987.

On November 21, 1991, it was completed and delivered to the South Sea Fleet of the People's Liberation Army Navy.

In 1997, Hull 166 crossed the Pacific Ocean and visited five ports in the US, Mexico, Peru, and Chile. It served as the first main warship of the Chinese navy crossing the Pacific Ocean and set new records such as the longest visiting time, the longest voyage, the most countries and ports visited, and the most visitors.

The retired Hull 166 was donated to Chongqing Jianchuan Museum and hence would be towed from Zhanjiang to Jianshe Wharf in Jiulongpo District.

On August 28, 2020, Hull 166 departed from Zhanjiang, crossed the Yellow Sea, and entered an anchorage in Jiangsu for a short break.

On September 27, 2020, towed by Chongqing Zhanhongtu Rescue and Salvage Co., Ltd., Hull 166 formally entered the Yangtze River from Nanjing henceforth went upstream.

On October 17, 2020, Hull 166 entered Chongqing through the Three Gorges Dam. On October 23, 2020, it temporarily docked at the Mingyuetuo Wharf of Donggang in Nanan District of Chongqing for renovation and restoration.

During its 246-day stay at Mingyuetuo Wharf, Chongqing Donggang Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd. carried out the overall repair and appropriate renovation and improvement of the hull, including repairing the propeller, engine and other cabins, retrofitting the deck weapons and equipment, and gangway, as well as installing guardrails and decorative night lighting.

At 6:30 a.m. on June 26, Hull 166, with full flag, set off again with the help of two tugboats, heading towards Jianshe Wharf in Jiulongpo District.

At 6:30 a.m. on June 26, Hull 166, with full flag, set off again with the help of two tugboats, heading towards Jianshe Wharf in Jiulongpo District. (Photo/ Xie Zhiqiang)

Transport Hull 166 to Chongqing

From the estuary of the Yangtze River to Mingyuetuo Wharf and then to Jianshe Wharf in Jiulongpo District, it is an extremely tough task to transport Hull 166 to Chongqing, which is located in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River.

The Hull 166, with a displacement of more than 3,600 tons and a speed of 59.264 km/h, is designed for deep-sea use. The channel of the Yangtze River is too narrow to allow the warship to sail at high speed. Therefore, high-horsepower tugboats that adapt to local conditions must be used to ensure low-speed and safe sailing.

In the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, where ships crowd together, the pilot needs to give prompt warnings to avoid sand carriers in blind spots; while in the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River, where the twisting and narrow channel and shallow water level make the sailing dangerous and difficult, only experienced sailors and pilots can ensure the safety.

"Two rescue and salvage tugboats No. 113 and No. 2006 are used to guarantee the hull's safety," said Yang Jianming, the senior captain and technical director of this tug.

He continued, the flow rate in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River is generally 0.5-1 m/s, while the upstream flow rate is generally 2 m/s, with a maximum of 4 m/s. This puts forward higher requirements for the maneuverability of the tugboat and the operating skills of the navigator.

The Hull 166 passed Cuntan Yangtze River Bridge, Dafosi Yangtze River Bridge, Chaotianmen Yangtze River Bridge, and other famous bridges in Chongqing. (Photo/ Zhengyu)