Archeologists measure the length of a cannonball of "Dandong No.1" under the Yellow Sea. [Photo/People's Daily Online]

The State Administration of Cultural Heritage launched investigation and salvage work on the 1600-tonne ship in August. So far over 100 items, including pieces of ship parts and belongings of the sailors have been successfully salvaged from the wreck.

According to archeological workers, the vessel, which was shipwrecked some 120 years ago after it was hit by the Japanese navy, suffered severe damage to the inside tanks but the 50-meter ship remained intact. It is likely one of four of the Qing Dynasty's imperial navy warships that belonged to the Beiyang Fleet.