What made the Dingyuan-class ironclads a poor design for China?
Short answerThe answer criticises the offset turrets, speed, seakeeping, and a design judged better suited to its German suppliers than to Chinese needs.
NotesThe criticism begins with the offset wing turrets and the difficulty of using their theoretical broadside arcs. The ships are also described as slow and uncomfortable, with their stated top speed rarely attained. Unsteady hulls and disappointing machinery add to the criticism of their fighting value. The broader procurement argument is that the design reflected what German builders could supply better than what China needed.