Boats in China name. Construction of a Chinese junk. Features of the Chinese junk

China is a country with a thousand years of civilization, and we have information about its ships, although not very detailed, gleaned from Marco Polo's Milione. However, due to the fact that sailboats - military and commercial - in the West were more or less similar, we can assume that the situation was the same in the Far East. The Chinese junk, which continued in use until the end of World War II, was approximately 164 feet (50 m) long, 46-49 feet (14-15 m) wide, and had five masts with rectangular mat sails. The forward masts and the second mast from the stern could be retracted to reduce windage, while the other sails had their own reefing system. The hull was shaped like a flat-bottomed vessel (a non-self-propelled flat-bottomed vessel with simplified contours for transporting goods on the upper deck) and had a rectangular outline (almost not pointed at all to the bow or stern, and both ends had transoms (i.e. ended flat, as if the junk had a long quarterdeck and one large rudder. For maneuvering with sails, a special platform was provided on the rear mast, protruding beyond the transom stern edge. Judging by the engravings of the 16th century, combat junks of that time had only two masts with sails attached to two spars (luger, or sailing sail), high bulwarks, covered poop and something like a battering ram on the bow.

Unlike the Chinese junk, the Japanese hull was more compact and with a much more pronounced curvature of the sides, although it had a straight, steeply inclined stem and a stern raised high above the water. She hung over the rudder, being a structural part of the ship's hull, and not like a small balcony on the Chinese

junk. The ship had only one deck without a forecastle and poop, like modern European ships. The spars and rigging were very simple and did not inherit the five masts of the Chinese junk. In the middle of the ship there was only one high mast, armed with a narrow rectangular sail and reinforced with one strong stay (stretch) in front and two behind. Further on, there was another small mast tilted forward, which, like on the galleys, did not rest against the nest on the keel, but was attached only to the deck; this circumstance suggests that it could have been omitted. Note that the beams (beams of the transverse set of the ship, connecting the side branches of the frames and forming the basis of the deck flooring) of the main deck protrude from both sides overboard, increasing the width of the deck and thus providing more space for cargo. The junk has only one fairly large rudder, driven by a long tiller (lever to control the steering wheel). The sails were woven, not woven mats.

In Korea, there were mixed sailing and rowing vessels, the descriptions of which, at our disposal, are detailed enough to restore them in all details. They were known as the "shell ships" or "turtles" of Admiral Yi Sun Chin, who used them in the war of 1592-1598. against Japan.

These vessels had a hull in the form of a raft with a transom bow and stern and an unusual superstructure located at the rear, protruding from both sides overboard. The ship had two sails of the same type as on the junks. In addition to this, she had from nine to ten oars on each side, arranged almost vertically and did not have oarlocks of the Western type, so that they were controlled in a completely different way than the oars on the Mediterranean galleys. A remarkable feature of these ships, thanks to which they got their name, was the presence of a protective tortoise shell above the main deck, which stretched along the entire hull, with the exception of the aft ledge. This shell was covered with metal plates with iron spikes, so it was absolutely impossible to board the ship. The armament consisted of four-inch (19 cm) bronze side guns and four small cannons, two in front and two in the rear above the transom cut. These vessels were 116.4 feet (33.5 m) long and 27.8 feet (8.5 m) wide on deck.

Not everyone has heard the word "junk". But those who heard it for the first time are probably wondering what it means. Few people know that a junk is a traditional Chinese ship that has a number of significant differences from representatives of European shipbuilding. The difference is noticeable both at first glance and upon further study of this unusual ship.

Characteristic appearance

Due to such a large number of characteristic features, the junk is probably the most recognizable ship in the world and at the same time unique, since it has very little in common with traditional European ships used in most countries. Nevertheless, there were many varieties of this ship - according to some sources, more than 300.

Story

This name, reminiscent of a traditional American name, comes from the Malay word djong, which is a corruption of the Southern Min word for "ship". In other words, a junk is a ship, which, in fact, it is.

An old legend says that the first ship of this type was created by the Celestial Chinese Emperor Fu Hsi. He lived in the distant 29th century BC and was known for giving the inhabitants of the country secret knowledge that contributed to the development of civilization. It is not surprising that the Chinese junk is revered by the peoples of the Far East and Southeast Asia as some kind of living creature with a temper, character and charm. However, some historians are inclined to believe that the first junks appeared around 1000 BC.

Despite the fact that China was less interested in exploring remote parts of the ocean than many other countries, the first sea vessel appeared here. And it was a junk. Its stability made it possible to maneuver in open waters of any scale, but the speed remained rather low.

Fancy sails

For some, the most remarkable feature of a junk is its unusual hull, while others primarily pay attention to the sails. Masts on such a ship, as a rule, from three to five. They are placed horizontal bamboo poles, which serve as holders of unusual sails. Their general appearance resembles a fan - both externally and according to the folding system.

At first, the sails were made of reed mats, which made them very heavy, so the junk at that time was not suitable for fast sailing. But there was no need for that either. But the strength of the material allowed the sails to withstand gusts of even the strongest wind. Later, the mat was replaced with cloth, which increased the speed and maneuverability of the ship.

At the end of the 13th century, the Venetian merchant and traveler Marco Polo visited China. He drew up a detailed description of the original Asiatic vessel and was simply amazed that some junks, in addition to the existing four masts, could be equipped with spare masts, allowing them to set a few more sails.

military junks

What is a junk for the Chinese? Often this is a transport or merchant ship. Much less often it was used for military purposes. Historians note such an interesting fact: in the 16-17th centuries, Portuguese, Dutch and Japanese pirates appeared off the Chinese coast. Instead of mobilizing troops and driving them away, the Chinese turned to ancient treatises that give recommendations for this case. Not finding an answer to their question, the people of China decided to leave everything as it is.

However, what is a junk if not a ship ideal for military operations? The stability of the vessel made it possible to install on it from 5 to 7 12-pounder guns and a special bulwark that protected from bullets and arrows. At the same time, the crew number reached 200 people, and the displacement - 200 tons.

Japanese junks

The junks, created in the Land of the Rising Sun, were somewhat different from the Chinese, including externally. First of all, the curvature of the sides and the stern raised high above the water, hanging over the rudder, stood out.

Unlike the Chinese, the Japanese junk is a ship with only one central mast, on which a narrow rectangular sail is located. Another small, tilted mast was located at the bow of the ship and could probably be retracted if necessary. Another feature of the Japanese junk is that the beams - the beams that form the base of the deck - protrude beyond the vessel, thereby increasing the usable space for cargo.

Modernity

Despite the fact that the junk was invented more than 3 thousand years ago, it is still relevant. The main reason is the perfect design that provides stability, spaciousness and maneuverability in shallow water. For many years, the old ship has not changed much, even now it is still the same medieval junk. The photo clearly shows how few differences there are between an old and a modern ship.

Currently, the poor in some areas of China are forced to live on junks, which is much cheaper than buying a home. The ship provides fishermen with food and shelter, so it is quite a popular place to stay. The owners of junk houses prefer to settle on rivers near large cities. The population in such floating villages can reach up to 80 thousand people, as, for example, in the city of Canton. In Hong Kong, there are also quite a lot of Chinese living on junks - about 12 thousand. In addition, junks are now used to attract tourists.

The first all-wooden Chinese ships are called by a word that has entered almost all languages ​​of the world. The word is sampan. It consists of two roots: "san" - three and "pan" - board. Apparently, sampans originated from rafts with three longitudinal frame boards. To improve the seaworthiness of the raft, over time, a bow and stern were added to it. The first depiction of a Chinese sampan dates back to 147 AD. e. Sampan is shown leading a naval battle. The boats in the figure have a characteristic shape. The soldiers on the boats are armed with swords and shields, one of them has a bow with arrows. A rower sits at the stern of the boat, which sets the sampan in motion.

The most common type of Chinese ship is the junk. In the European written source, the first mention of the junk dates back to 1555. Apparently, the word "junk" comes from the Chinese chuan, meaning "boat". Although the word "junk" has taken on disparaging connotations in modern European languages, at one time Chinese junks were far superior to European ships. For comparison, such design features of Chinese junks as a waterproof hull, balanced rudder blade and foxes appeared on junks long before they were invented in Europe.

A low-chuan warship from the Ujin Dzon Ya o edition of 1520. The original is dated 1044. The ship has a characteristic open structure, the rowers are protected only by the gunwale. The ship is armed with a trebuchet with a counterweight.

Chinese wheeled warship of the Song Dynasty. Drawing from an 1842 book on coastal defense issues.

If a respected reader is going to build a junk, he will not have any technical problems. The fact is that over the centuries the design of the junk has been honed to perfection and raised to the canon. Minimal deviations from the canon are allowed, but they should not contradict the basic principles of construction. Construction methods varied depending on the site of construction, the type and size of the junk, but in general the construction process was stereotyped.

At the first stage of construction, bottom boards were laid over the keel. The boards were connected with the help of forged iron brackets, forming an integral shield. Then, along the entire length of the bottom, transverse ribs were installed at the necessary intervals, which were fixed on the bottom. Carpenters worked without rulers. The bottom boards were cut along a stretched rope. Then the boards of the side sheathing were laid, attracted with ropes and nailed. Deck beams, usually hardwood, cut into the top board of the side. Next, frames were installed, consisting of two or three parts, connected to the lock and secured with thick nails. The bow and stern were built in a similar way, their design varied somewhat in different parts of the country. After the hull was ready, the deck was laid. The gaps between the cladding boards were caulked. For this purpose, a mixture of lime and wood oil was used. The resulting mixture hardened within 48 hours, forming a waterproof layer.

Four-wheeled warship, tiger muzzles are depicted on the sides. The sides recline before the start of the boarding battle.

The drawing of the five-masted transport gives a good idea of ​​what the Ming Dynasty ships carrying treasure looked like. Ships of this type participated in Zheng He's campaign in Africa at the beginning of the 15th century.

Khmers (Cambodians) and Chams (Vietnamese) are fighting on the river, the period of the uprising led by Jayavarman VII, 11 81

In 1177 the Cham king Jaya Indravarman invaded Cambodia. The Vietnamese fleet moved along the sea coast, and then went up the river to the Cambodian capital of Angkor. The city was sacked and the Chams occupied Cambodia. Four years later, the future Cambodian king Jayavarman VII revolted against the invaders. He defeated the tyams in a decisive battle in 1181. This epic river battle is depicted in bas-reliefs carved on the walls of Barteai Chmar and Bayon in Cambodia. It depicts the moment when the Tyam and Khmer warboats clashed in a boarding battle in the middle of the river. The prows of the boats are adorned with grotesque monster faces. On board the boats are archers and spearmen. The soldiers of the opposing sides can be distinguished, as the Khmer walk with uncovered heads, and the Tyams wear characteristic headdresses. All rowers sit facing the stern, only on the longboat of the Khmer king, the rowers are turned to face the bow and row with yulo oars. The royal rowers have no protection, so they demonstrate personal courage. On ordinary longboats, the rowers are covered with long shields through which the oars are threaded. The longboats, approaching, showered each other with arrows, and then threw grappling hooks tied to rattan ropes. In the center of the Khmer longboat, under an umbrella, is an officer who directs the actions of the crew. Soldiers on both sides are armed with long spears and shields. A soldier who falls into the water immediately becomes the prey of crocodiles.

An ordinary transport junk used to navigate rivers and coastal areas of the sea. Details of sailing armament and rigging are visible. As usual, the stern is above the bow, where the capstan and anchor are. The ship resembles Kublai's junks depicted on the Japanese Scroll of the Mongol Invasion.

A Yuan Dynasty naval battle junk attacked by Vietnamese warboats at the mouth of the Red River, 1288

Khmer (Cambodian) and Cham (Vietnamese) fighting on the river, period of the uprising led by Jayavarman VII, 1181

A Song Dynasty 23-wheeled ship bombarding a Jin Dynasty ship with lime bombs, Battle of Kaishi, 1161

Western Han Dynasty river fleet attacked by rebel fireships, 200 BC e.

Sea trading junks were built in large numbers during the Song and Yuan dynasties. A Chinese junk is depicted in a bas-relief at Angkor Thom in Cambodia dated 1185. Ships of similar design were used by the Mongols as warships during their overseas campaigns. The image of the Mongolian junks we find on the Scroll of the Mongol invasion, dedicated to the campaigns of the Mongols in Japan in 1274 and 1281. Additional information about junks is provided by Marco Polo, who was in China between 1275 and 1292. Among other things, Marco Polo notes that junks have one deck with small superstructures, a large rudder blade and four masts. Marco Polo also notes that the Chinese junks had watertight bulkheads, a thing completely unknown in Europe. “Therefore, if by chance the side is broken in one place, for example, if the ship stumbles upon a rock or a whale hits it ... water will not penetrate from one hold to another.”

A typical Chinese boat, mostly used in the eastern seas as a cargo ship. This prefabricated ship model differs from the trading junk by the presence of armament (10 guns) and the hull reinforced with very strong watertight bulkheads. The large and efficient rudder, together with the standard set of sails, is typical of all junks.

Junk blueprint

Drawing of this Chinese junk made on a sheet of approximately 90x70 cm format. It includes full-scale views from the side, from above, aft, blueprints frame parts and a couple of photos of the finished model. The scale of the drawing is 1:100, which gives the length of the finished model 40 cm. In addition to drawing Comes with 8 page assembly instructions. Instruction in English. The main materials needed to build a model for this drawing: plywood 4 and 1 mm thick; lime slats 1x5 mm, walnut slats 1x3 mm, light threads 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 mm, guns 20 mm long (article AM4167, quantity 10 pieces).

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Distinctive features of the junk are sails made of bamboo yards and square mats, as well as raised bow and stern. The sails can be rolled up like blinds. A massive rudder replaces the keel. The number of masts reaches five.

The exact time of the invention of the junk is unknown, during the Han Dynasty they were already widespread. In the early Middle Ages, junks were used for military purposes, even then sailing into the waters of Indonesia and even India.

Over time, junks came into use throughout East Asia and were used for long sea passages. In 1846-1848, the 800-ton Hong Kong junk Kheyin rounded the Cape of Good Hope and became the first Chinese ship to anchor in the New York roadstead. In England, this curiosity was visited by Queen Victoria herself.

With the transfer of the navy to the steam basis, the junk retained its importance as a highly maneuverable cargo ship. In some parts of Vietnam, junks are used as floating accommodation.

Junk Halong Bay Vietnam.jpg

Modern Vietnamese junk.

see also

• Kheiying is a Chinese three-masted junk that traveled from Hong Kong to New York, Boston and London between 1846 and 1848.

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