Referring to the portfolio of designs:
John seems to have been the only entrant who has drawn on Chinese culture in his design. He says that his entry, Boxer, is based on two similar Chinese sampans recorded by Worcester in "The Junks and Sampans of the Yangtze" and for interest sake, for those who don't have a copy, here are the two I assume John was thinking of.
(Sorry for the rough photography and distortion, didn’t have time to do a better job. I think the book can be downloaded from the JRA library).
Fangtou (方頭 or 方头 ) literally means “square head”
![](/resources/MemberAlbums/38026503/JRA%20Design%20Competition/preview/yulohboat.jpg)
It is between 12’ and 18’ in length, propelled by yuloh (or sometimes a sprit sail) and (Howard will be interested to see) it features a false bow, incorporating a tiny floodable bow compartment.
The other I assume to be this one:
![](/resources/MemberAlbums/38026503/JRA%20Design%20Competition/preview/fangtou.jpg)
Yaolu Huazi (摇橹 划子 or 搖櫓划子) which Worcester somewhat puzzlingly translates as “Oar Boat”. Puzzling, because the first two characters (yaolu) mean “yuloh”, which is obviously its manner of propulsion. The second two characters chosen by Worcester (huazi) can be translated as “rowboat” since one of the meanings of "hua" is "to row" or "to paddle".
This simple vessel is 23’ x 7’ and decked over, designed for cargo not passengers.
The Chinese seem not to have bothered with boats as small as 8' - apart from the Wuhu Tub (which is small enough to meet at least that one of the JRA committee's requirements) - and which was literally a re-purposed wash tub. Worcester has somewhat pedantically provided us with a full drawing, and a few paragraphs of information, including: that it could be anywhere between 3' and 8'6" and that its form of propulsion is hand-paddling.
Fortunately there appears to be no sailing version.
![](/resources/MemberAlbums/38026503/JRA%20Design%20Competition/preview/wuhu%20tub.jpg)
By the way, the Chinese made paper models too, but more elaborate than Slieve's and for a different purpose.
![](/resources/MemberAlbums/38026503/JRA%20Design%20Competition/preview/paper%20model.png)
Worcester tells us that this "spirit boat" was found in a shop specialising in paper models, made to be burned at funerals - destined for the use and pleasure of its far-sighted owner after arrival in the next world.
Slieve - don't throw that model out! You might be able to continue enjoying the occasional sail and if by chance anything goes wrong during the transmigration, you might at least expect, for eternity, the benefit of cereal for breakfast.