Not everyone has ever 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 further study of this unusual ship.
Characteristic appearance
The main difference between a junk and other ships is that the stern of this ship is quite wide and raised high. At the same time, the nose, which has an almost rectangular shape, is located quite low. Regardless of the purpose, the traditional Chinese vessel had a flat bottom. All this created a completely unusual appearance of the junk, which was effectively complemented by original sails and traditional patterns on the sides and stern. As a rule, mountains and clouds were depicted there, as well as dragons and other mythical creatures.
Thanks to so many characteristic features, the junk is probably the most recognizable ship in the world and at the same time unique, because with traditional Europeanships used in most countries, it has very little in common. However, there were many variations of this ship - according to some sources, more than 300.
History
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 vessel 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 than many other countries in exploring remote parts of the ocean, 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 onhorizontal bamboo poles, which serve as holders of unusual sails. Their general appearance resembles a fan - both externally and in terms of the folding system.
At first, 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 ship's speed and maneuverability.
At the end of the 13th century, Venetian merchant and traveler Marco Polo visited China. He drew up a detailed description of the original Asiatic vessel and was amazed that some junks could be equipped with spare masts in addition to the four masts, allowing for 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 ideally suited 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,protected from bullets and arrows. At the same time, the crew number reached 200 people, and the displacement - 200 tons.
Japanese junks
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 steering wheel, 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 little difference there is 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. Ownersjunk 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 currently being used to attract tourists.
