The Fire Dragon Issuing from the Water

The Invention of the Multi-Stage Rocket

The Fire Dragon Issuing from the Water (Huolong Chushui)This is one of the world's earliest known examples of a two-stage rocket. It was designed to fly just above the surface of the water to strike enemy ships. is a sophisticated weapon of the Compendium of Military Assets (Junzi Cheng)The specific division of the Wubei Zhi, a massive Ming-dynasty military encyclopedia, that details the logistics and specifications of weaponry..

The device is constructed from a wooden tube approximately five feet long, carved and painted to resemble a Dragon (Long)The dragon was not merely decorative; its hollow body served as the aerodynamic housing for the second stage of the weapon.. This "dragon" serves as the primary missile body.

Technical Components

• Propulsion System: Four large rocket boosters are attached to the outside of the dragon's body—two near the head and two near the tail. These are synchronized to ignite simultaneously, providing the initial thrust to carry the dragon across the water.
• The Second Stage: Inside the hollow belly of the dragon are hidden numerous Rocket-Arrows (Jian)Small incendiary arrows propelled by their own individual gunpowder charges..
• The Ignition Mechanism: As the four exterior boosters reach the end of their flight, they ignite a secondary fuse. This internal fuse then triggers the rocket-arrows, which are discharged from the dragon’s mouth to strike the target.

Tactical Use in Naval Combat

This weapon is specifically designed for use at sea. When enemy ships are several li A traditional Chinese unit of distance; at the time, approximately 500 meters. away, the Fire Dragon is launched from a friendly vessel. It skims the surface of the waves, propelled by its boosters. Just as it reaches the enemy, the internal "arrows" fly out in a concentrated burst, incinerating the enemy's sails and decks.