Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-04
CHINESE BOAT BUILDERS.
Turn Out Ugly Craft, with Flimsy
Material, but Seaworthy.

From the London Mall
The main features of Chinese ship and
boat building are the light, and apparently
Trail, nature of the material with which
vessels of every size and shape are con-
structed: the clumsy form given to his
work by the celestial artihcer. and the
marvellous ease and safety with which craft.
both large and small, ride out the rough
est weather on sea and river.
This last Is no rash statement. the writer
we'll remembering witnessing when him.
self sailing the China sea in the teeth of
typhoon, the total wreckng OF more than
one European vessel, while the junks and
even small native boats within sight Simply
reeIed or struck their mat sails. and tri-
umphantly passed with the British ship
through the Ly-ee-moon pass, into the
sheltered harbor of Hong Kong
me reason for all this is not far to seek
Inc beam of the junks is usually broad:
tney slI upon the water like fiat Moorish
arch Their storms are round. and by conse-
quence. resistive OF any tendency to take
aback."
"A peculiar and noticeable thing about
them is the Brobdingnagian EYE" which
giares out from each side of the PROV
Thls is an ancient superstition.
me ships bamboo planks. II such term
be allowable. are in many parts put togeth-
er with vegetable rope nails. 1 believe.
being used only in the hull proper. Right
arr large cabin is appropriated to re-
image of the god of waters before which
me aromatic joss stick is forever burning
Inc Chlnese sailor Is nothing II not a slave
TO his faith in omens. and all and sundry
'iS supernatural beliefs of his countrymen
he ls. when he likes, a fairly good hand
on board ship. but. being by nature and
educatiVe example a coward he more often
than not seeks to save his skin at the ex-
pense of his duty. There is very little dif
ference In form and fitment between tho
"ar JUNK and the commercial variety.
me weapons are not of the same de-
scrlptlon as are those in the few European
pulit steam warships possessed by the Chi
nese government. OF long obsolete pat
I'm Ill tiey are not very formidable except to
Themselves, nneinseIVes China has not assimilated
western Ideas with the eagerness and
rapidity OF the Japanese at any rate In the
matter OF naval progress, whatever she
nay nave Done or late, We are told in
the acquisition and mighty laving-un of al
Nanced types of land armament
ffimluVeness Is still writ large upon her
marine, warlike and domestic, and although
me IA present Widespread revolution may tend
turvydom,' the Chinaman may nerbanSp ~
compish that "upside-down," which in his
norman position he has for centuries failed
10 appreciate and even attempt.
me fang-tse-kian river boats. the
- sanpdh. seen by the new arrival
itoehlhs on the gentle swell In Hong Kong
gay, .he oarbaric gorgeousness of the man.
u.'i III paTge-each and all are dear 10 the
native soul, and will be improved away only
aJ e1 tiiipl 9Vement can no longer be resist
ed That John Chinaman can Iearn ,,,,,nt
OF his western brother in this con,a.; u, 't a.
Oh course, beyond question or argument
NY NY that the occfdent may not find same
tinhs interesting and Instructive in tba
ni iJt,us OF me orient as exemplified by its
oiue.9' ana VaSteSt community on,y the
most b:goted devotee of Euronean ciI;,.za
tlon VIII venture to deny