Far East Junks

Navigation and Ships in China

Far East Junks Medieval Piracy Sail 6 Min Read

This picture of a medieval Chinese war junk distorts many of the key features to give a dramatic effect, but it does illustrate the multiple decks, the highly responsive rigging and steering systems, including a stern rudder controlled by a tiller and a lateral auxiliary steering oar. It was the increasing number of guns on the European warships of the…

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British China Far East Junks Piracy 9 Min Read

THE DEMISE OF JOLLY ROGER II

Once a gunboat had been sent to the Far East it was Admiralty policy that she should end her days there, with any necessary repairs being carried out at Hong Kong. Commissions lasted between three and four years, with replacement crews being sent out aboard transports or troopships. Service aboard…

Far East Junks Sail 8 Min Read

SHIPBUILDING IN SE ASIA

During the past 5,000 years the expansion of the Austronesians from Taiwan into Southeast Asia, and from there into the Pacific and to Madagascar, has always been carried out, out of necessity, across the seas and upstream along the rivers of the major islands. At the turn of the first…

Far East Junks Sail 3 Min Read

The Chinese junk

During the period that the sailing ship was developing in the Mediterranean world, China, with its vast land areas and poor road communications, was turning to water for transportation. Starting with a dugout canoe, the Chinese joined two canoes with planking, forming a square punt, or raft. Next, the side,…

Far East Junks Medieval Piracy Sail 6 Min Read

Navigation and Ships in China

This picture of a medieval Chinese war junk distorts many of the key features to give a dramatic effect, but it does illustrate the multiple decks, the highly responsive rigging and steering systems, including a stern rudder controlled by a tiller and a lateral auxiliary steering oar. It was the…

Far East Junks 3 Min Read

13th Century Mongol Multi-masted Oceanic Junk.

Japanese Junk Japanese junks differed somewhat from the junks of China, since it was necessary to sail among the islands of Japanese archipelago where the large flat-bottomed Chinese vessels would find it difficult to maneuver in the rough seas. Similar ships to this one were equipped as warships and composed…

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13th Century Mongol Multi-masted Oceanic Junk.

Japanese Junk Japanese junks differed somewhat from the junks of China, since it was necessary…

THE DEMISE OF JOLLY ROGER II

Once a gunboat had been sent to the Far East it was Admiralty policy that…

Navigation and Ships in China

This picture of a medieval Chinese war junk distorts many of the key features to…

The Chinese junk

During the period that the sailing ship was developing in the Mediterranean world, China, with…