China wanted to buy British battleship HMS Iron Duke according to the Dutch newspaper Java-bode dated 18 July 1874

According to tidings sent the Chinese cabinet telegrams to England asking for two armoured frigates and even offering 2.000.000 dollars for selling the HMS Iron Duke to them. Rumours also claimed that they were negotiating with Germany for buying a warship.(1)

Note
1. Battleship of 6,010 tons and with dimensions 280 x 45 feet, 14 guns, launched on 1 March 1870 at Pembroke Dock.