Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-01-31
THE CHINESE JUNK.
Curious Craft II Is. With Eyes Paint
ed on Its Masts.


junk like all things Chinese. is involv-
ed in some obscurity, but it's first mod
el seems to have been q Chinese con-
ception of some huge marine monster
The teeth which are usually shown
in ali the terrorS Of fcrocity on the
bow denote the mouth. Long boards
running aft from the bow both to
port and to starboard. represent the
awe inspiring jaws. The sails are
fins. while the tail waving aloft. an
appendix which all properly c6nsti-
tuted dragons of the sea must Ger
tainly have, is denoted in the high
stern. But most of these characteris-
tics have lost much of their signiff-
cance in recent years, with the one
exception of the eyes, which are al
ways painted on the masts. Captain
John is loath to part with them, for,
as he warily eXclaims
no have eye, no can see; no can
see, no can 60"
John Cinnamon, shipbuilder, when
he takes a notion to build ono of his
junks does not bother himself much
about plans and specifications. Give
him The model. Then he will lay his
lines off on the floor or on an open
space of ground and build his ship as
he goes along by the simple rule of
thumb. Considering the result he has
attained, he is no doubt convinced of
the superiority of his method over ev-
cry other Fir, teak and pine are the
woods he used in his construction.
The seams of the bull are caulked
with rattan shaninga and paved"
With cement of oil aRd gypsum. The
Whole of the hull Is well tarTed. while
the upper works are sIneared with
wood oil. Then comes a final coat of
paint-green, blue white red-in fact.
any color but yellow, which must be
reserved for the many flags the COM
pieted ship will carry to proclaim her
nationality.
When it comes to equipments. they
seem antiquated compared with the
ones we employ. The windlass is an
elongated, barrel shaped roller ex-
tending across the broad bow. on
either side of which is arranged a
series of fixed spokes bearing a strong
resemblance to a wheel without q tire.
From this is huge great Lakewood an
chors with iron bound hukes and ca
bles of coir of bamboo rope. ingenius
contrivance is capable of being operat-
ed by either hand or foot.
In the way of sail the style depends
on whether YOU are in north or south
China. Among the northern Chinese
a long mainm&st carrying short lug
sails is found. In the southern coun-
try the sails are generally of woven
mat strips aewed into a single sheet
and provided with yards at the ton
and bottom The bamboo ribs cross
ing il serve to keep the hoops on the
mast IN place and enable the boatmen
to haul The sail close on the wind
This maihsail is the chief dependence.
though sometimes a driver" is plac-
ed on the traffrail and a small sail
near the bow. But bowsprits are not
considered at all necessary by John
Chinaman.
In the matter Of rigging we find
John quite familiar with everything
he requires Hayards, sheets and
braces are used as with us His blocks.
though larger, are not as shapely and
are fewer in number Clumsy as the
rudder appears it is so contrived as
it. for willy John has understood the
principles Of balanced rudder and
centerboard for centuries. The in
board end resembles just what it is
intended to representa- huge oar
handle-and is SO cunningly rugged
with guys and whips that it makes
our own stiff jointed wheel and short
helm poor alternative.
His compass card is stationary. The
needle swings on its pivot and points
contrarily to the south pole. With
twenty-four divisions and some 1000
minor points or degrees on this faith
full guide john insists on referring to
his course as T. S. or the wind blow
ing from w. n How he would dis
arrange such complex compass bear
ings as E. by n. 3-4 f. or N w. by
\. IA n. can be left to an imagina-
ton sufficiently vivid to embrace such
a calamity
In the arrangement of his ship John
again exhibits his consistency by be-
ginning wrong end foremost-that is.
considering the matter from our view
point His provisions are carried
above deck and aft instead of for
ward and below. The crew eat and
sleep near the stern. The passengers
are accommodated in the forward end.
In China there is no Plimsoll mark
and no government inspector ready to
check off the number of passengers
as they go aboard. Neither is there
any instance upon such requirements
as life belts, fire appliances and life
| boats being mentioned. The traveller
starts forth on his voyage feeling safe
in the happy possession of his pratt
que or clearance papers, whereby he