The Chinese Junk

[j.sabourn]

Quite contrary to the scathing attitude of western foreigners through history, looking down their noses as what they regarded as inferior boats , if had bothered been more respectful of another people’s culture and abilities , would have found that the humble junk was anything but. The word junk appears to be a corruption formed in the Malay , Portuguese and Dutch who were very active in the 19th. Century. The Chinese themselves call it a Zhongguo Fanchuan which means Chinese sailboat, or Rongelap Chiang . Rongke chuan . Rong is the Chinese word for military affairs and chuan means boat, so loosely translated as Battleship. Whilst not a particularly attractive vessel its construction deserves a look. Sizes varied considerably, and the largest measured 120 metres and could carry up to 1000 people. The hull is constructed compartments which acted as reserve buoyancy , its rudders were large with holes in them to reduce the force of water pressure on them when utilizing their function. Their sails were made of matting and not canvas and had bamboo supports. Very interesting vessel and again too much to put on here. Cheers JS

[John Arton]

Bit like the traditional Arab dhows that a slowed the Arab traders to trade down the east African coast as far as Zanzibar and even further south and also across the Indian ocean.
Rgds
J.A

[Tony Taylor]

Bit like the traditional Arab dhows that a slowed the Arab traders to trade down the east African coast as far as Zanzibar and even further south and also across the Indian ocean.
Rgds
J.A

there are similarities in basic design

[Bill Morrison]

From book, Mast And Sail in Europe And Asia. H. Warington Smyth. 1905.
One of the best books I have found on smaller sailing craft.
This from Chapter XII CHINA
In no region of Art and Crafts have the Chinese shown greater independence of thought than in ship and boat building. The striking originality which pre-vades their architecture, their painting, and their life on shore, is even more characteristically displayed by them afloat.

At the hands of the Western travellers the Chinese junk has received little but mockery and thinly veiled contempt; the writer treats it with his smartest ridicule, the artist in glaring caricature. Yet, examined fairly, the only excuse for such treatment seems to lie in the wide gulf which separates the thoughts and ideas of the white and the yellow races, and makes it apparently almost impossible for the one to come to any true understanding of the other.

As an engine (sic) for carrying man and his commerce upon the high and stormy seas, it is doubtful if any class of vessel is more suited or better adapted to its purpose; and it is certain that for flatness of sail and for handiness the Chinese rig is unsurpassed. A most capable authority gives it as his unhesitating opinion that the smaller South China junks are ' the handiest vessels in the world.'

He goes on to describe different types of junks and there rigs.

Bill.

[Des Taff Jenkins]

HI Bill
If you can get hold of a book called 1421 th year China discovered the World a brilliant read. China in that year sent one of the biggest fleets ever seen around the world, not to fight but to trade, they had massive ships that could carry hundreds of horses and a huge crew. Crafty though all the skippers had been turned into u nicks, to mke sure they came back, the fleet covered the world.
Cheers Des

[j.sabourn]

#4 my info. Bill comes from a resident of the retirement village where I reside. Him and his wife recently did a far eastern tour and he was mesmerised by the Chinese junk. So decided to find out all about it. Amazing what some old people will do to keep them occupied. Cheers JS

[happy daze john in oz]

In Chinese history there is mention of some ships reaching Australia.
This was about the 1300's or so, claims of pygmy style people there being chased by normal size ones.
Went there looking to trade but no recorded evidence of any trade taking place.
Doubt though they would have found much at that time.

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi John
According to this book they reached Australia and New Zealand, I think part of a wreck of a big Chinese Junk was found around Dunedin many years ago, they went right round the Arabian Gulf area and around the African coast to Europe, Many Countries sent ambassidors back on the ships, but after a few years one of the Emperors closed China down again to foreigners.
Des