Photos of traditional junk being built

  • 27 Nov 2016 01:43
    Reply # 4412954 on 4411620

    I think the intention of the UNESCO project is twofold; preserve the technology and a record of the skills used.  Unfortunately there are not many traditional shipwrights left in China.  

    Interestingly there is/was a member, Dr Wayne Moran, building a 30m junk in China.  It now appears to be finished.  Perhaps he could be persuaded to write about the experience.

    I've also just been re-reading Moitessier 'The Long Way', I'd forgotten that in it he provides a wonderful description of the making of a junk sail.  

    Peter

  • 26 Nov 2016 22:35
    Reply # 4412823 on 4411620

    I remember seeing something on this a few years ago. Thanks for bringing it to our attention Annie.

  • 26 Nov 2016 21:04
    Reply # 4412785 on 4411620
    Deleted user
    I enjoyed the pictures, especially being able to view the boat's lines from different perspectives and before and after planking was completed. Among the things I find interesting is that the edges on the outside of the those heavy hull planks are rounded.
  • 25 Nov 2016 23:47
    Message # 4411620
    Member John Kwong, has told me about a UNESCO heritage project taking place in China at present.  It comes under the heading of 'Watertight-bulkhead technology of Chinese junks'.  While, it would appear, that the focus of the project is on this invention, the end result is the  building of, what looks to me, like a traditional Foochow trading junk.  (No doubt there will be plenty of people to set me right on this.)   There is a video and a series of photos, most of which are stills from the video.  All very interesting.

    The 'exquisite work' looks much as you'd expect from a builder of work boats, but I certainly enjoyed seeing the different processes.  The narrator (and project) are concentrating on the watertight bulkhead and I suspect don't truly appreciate all the other wonderful concepts incorporated in a full-sized, traditional junk-rigged vessel.  No worries - other people can and it would appear that there are strenuous efforts being made to preserve and revitalise the necessary skills and knowledge.

       " ...there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in junk-rigged boats" 
                                                               - the Chinese Water Rat

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