Lin Baoyi (admiral)

Lin Baoyi (林葆懌) (fl. late 19th century) was a Qing Dynasty Chinese admiral who served during the Sino-French War (1884-1885). He is primarily known for his command of the Qing fleet during the Battle of Fuzhou in August 1884.

As commander of the Fujian Fleet, Lin Baoyi was responsible for defending the Fuzhou Arsenal and the Min River estuary from a potential French attack. Despite being aware of the impending assault by Admiral Amédée Courbet's squadron, Lin's fleet was significantly outmatched in terms of both technology and training. The Qing ships were largely outdated and lacked the firepower and maneuverability of their French counterparts.

During the Battle of Fuzhou, Lin Baoyi's fleet was decisively defeated. The battle, which took place on August 23, 1884, resulted in the destruction of most of the Fujian Fleet and heavy casualties on the Chinese side. Lin Baoyi's leadership during the battle has been a subject of historical debate, with some accounts criticizing his strategy and preparedness. Following the defeat, he was subjected to official censure, although the specific details of his subsequent career and fate remain unclear.