Who invented the Chinese junk boat?

Who invented the Chinese junk boat?

Originally developed in China during the Han Dynasty (220 B.C.E. –200 C.E.), junks were advanced and adapted vessels used for both military combat and trade; traveling far distances across the sea as well as through inland rivers. The junk eventually came to represent one of the most successful ship designs in history.

Who used junk ships?

Boats were an important way of getting around in Ancient China. Wooden sailing ships, called junks, were used by merchants to carry goods along rivers and canals or by sea. They were also used by pirates, who stole from the merchant ships.

What was the largest Chinese junk ever built?

An Oriental armada The largest of the junks were said to be over 400 feet long and 150 feet wide. (The Santa Maria, Columbus’s largest ship, was a mere 90 by 30 feet and his crew numbered only 90.)

Why is a Chinese ship called a junk?

The origin of the word “junk” in the English language can be traced to the Portuguese word junco, which is rendered from the Arabic word j-n-k (جنك). The word was used to denote both the Javanese/Malay ship (jong or djong) and the Chinese ship (chuán), even though the two were markedly different vessels.

What were Chinese junk ships made of?

bamboo
junk, classic Chinese sailing vessel of ancient unknown origin, still in wide use. High-sterned, with projecting bow, the junk carries up to five masts on which are set square sails consisting of panels of linen or matting flattened by bamboo strips.

What were Zheng He’s ships like?

If recorded accounts are taken as factual, Zheng He’s treasure ships were mammoth in size with nine masts and four decks, capable of accommodating more than 500 passengers, as well as a massive amount of cargo. Some sources claim the ships were even longer — 180 meters (600 feet).

What was the largest ship in Zheng He’s fleet?

2000-liao ships
The largest ships of Zheng He’s fleet were the 6 masted 2000-liao ships. This would give burthen of 500 tons and a displacement tonnage of about 800 tons.

Why are junk boats called junk boats?

Where did the name Chinese junk come from?

A junk is a Chinese sailing vessel. The English name comes from Javanese djong (Malay: adjong), meaning ‘ship’ or ‘large vessel’. Junks were originally developed during the Han Dynasty (220 B.C.E.

Why are junk sails red?

The reddish-brown color of the traditional junk sail is a result of an additive, what’s known as “tanbark.” The woven grass (then later canvas) sails were “tanned” to protect them from the elements—dipped in tannins extracted from the bark of oak trees.

What kind of ship is a junk ship?

See Article History. Alternative Title: Chinese junk. Junk, classic Chinese sailing vessel of ancient unknown origin, still in wide use. High-sterned, with projecting bow, the junk carries up to five masts on which are set square sails consisting of panels of linen or matting flattened by bamboo strips.

How big was Zheng He’s nine masted junk ship?

The dimensions of Zheng He’s ships according to ancient Chinese chronicles are disputed by modern scholars (see below): Treasure ships, used by the commander of the fleet and his deputies (Nine-masted junks, claimed by the Ming Shi to be about 420 feet long and 180 feet wide).

What was the purpose of a Chinese junk ship?

…an ungainly figure, the Chinese junk was an excellent hull for seaworthiness as well as for beaching in shoal (shallow) water. The principal advantage, however, not apparent from an external view, was great structural rigidity. In order to support the side and the bow planking, the Chinese used solid planked….

How many masts does a junk ship have?

Junk, classic Chinese sailing vessel of ancient unknown origin, still in wide use. High-sterned, with projecting bow, the junk carries up to five masts on which are set square sails consisting of panels of linen or matting flattened by bamboo strips.