光緒十四年(nian)(1888)北(bei)洋(yang)艦(jian)(jian)(jian)隊正(zheng)式編成(cheng),設北(bei)洋(yang)海(hai)(hai)(hai)軍(jun)提(ti)督署于劉(liu)(liu)公島(dao),丁汝昌任(ren)提(ti)督,擁有大小近50艘艦(jian)(jian)(jian)艇。光緒二十年(nian)(1894)中日(ri)(ri)(ri)甲午戰(zhan)爭(zheng)爆發。9月17日(ri)(ri)(ri),北(bei)洋(yang)艦(jian)(jian)(jian)隊與(yu)日(ri)(ri)(ri)本聯(lian)合(he)艦(jian)(jian)(jian)隊在(zai)鴨綠(lv)江口外(wai)(wai)黃海(hai)(hai)(hai)海(hai)(hai)(hai)面進行主力決戰(zhan),致遠艦(jian)(jian)(jian)管(guan)帶鄧(deng)世昌壯烈犧(xi)牲。1895年(nian)1月20日(ri)(ri)(ri),日(ri)(ri)(ri)軍(jun)分水(shui)陸兩路圍攻(gong)威海(hai)(hai)(hai)衛,北(bei)洋(yang)艦(jian)(jian)(jian)隊在(zai)劉(liu)(liu)公島(dao)外(wai)(wai)海(hai)(hai)(hai)面與(yu)日(ri)(ri)(ri)軍(jun)激戰(zhan)數日(ri)(ri)(ri),力戰(zhan)不敵,全軍(jun)覆沒,丁汝昌殉國。1988年(nian)中華人民(min)共和國國務院公布(bu)為全國重(zhong)點文物(wu)保(bao)護(hu)單位。
北洋海軍(jun)提督署亦(yi)稱水(shui)師提督衙門(men),在劉公(gong)島中部偏西,依山(shan)臨海,坐北朝南(nan)(nan)。建(jian)筑為(wei)(wei)清式(shi)單(dan)層(ceng)舉架(jia),磚木(mu)結構。沿中軸線建(jian)廳堂三進,兩側(ce)為(wei)(wei)配房和(he)廂(xiang)(xiang)房,共68間,房前(qian)(qian)有(you)廊(lang)相通。周筑圍墻(qiang),占地約1.39萬平方米,大(da)門(men)額題“海軍(jun)公(gong)所”,為(wei)(wei)李鴻章手書。門(men)前(qian)(qian)構筑左右角樓(lou)和(he)東西轅門(men),為(wei)(wei)大(da)典會操場所。西南(nan)(nan)建(jian)二(er)層(ceng)樓(lou)式(shi)□望臺。正(zheng)廳自南(nan)(nan)向北分別(bie)為(wei)(wei)禮儀廳、提督廳和(he)祭(ji)祀廳,配房廂(xiang)(xiang)房分別(bie)為(wei)(wei)總(zong)兵(bing)、副(fu)將(jiang)、洋員教(jiao)習辦公(gong)室(shi)及提調室(shi)、文(wen)武值(zhi)班室(shi)等。二(er)進院內建(jian)有(you)地下(xia)儲水(shui)池,容積約300立方米。設兩個明井(jing)口,上覆鐵蓋。
甲午戰(zhan)爭紀念地尚(shang)有(you)丁公祠(ci)、水師學堂、鐵碼頭、島上炮臺和(he)日島炮臺等(deng)遺址、遺跡。