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Hong Kong Junks

  • 24 Oct 2013 12:07
    Quote
    Reply # 1420310 on 1419539
    Deleted user
    The holes in the rudder are deliberate - apparently they were a design feature in this part of China but no-one seems to know why.

    What about this picture starting a new 'caption competition' feature for the magazine?

    My contribution is:
    "Ethel! come see this piece of junk someone left in our backyard!"
    Last modified: 24 Oct 2013 12:10 | Deleted user
  • 24 Oct 2013 11:26
    Quote
    Reply # 1420299 on 1419539
    Anonymous member

    Chris, You get sail cloth like that by the rice sack load. More to the point, look at the rudder. It has more holes than the sail. We have so much to learn!

    Cheers,  Slieve.

    Last modified: 24 Oct 2013 11:27 | Anonymous member
  • 24 Oct 2013 10:08
    Quote
    Reply # 1420272 on 1419539
    Deleted user
    Hmm.. found some more, not so very uncommon, perhaps, but still quite rare in tems of google image search, and seemingly restricted to Hong Kong. I love this one... where can I get some sailcloth like that?

    Slieve, you're right - all six seem to have at least 25% balance.

    Also, compare the sail profile in 17th century painting to that in the shrimp fishers around the turn of the 20th century. Not much changes in nearly 300 years.....
    Last modified: 24 Oct 2013 10:11 | Deleted user
  • 24 Oct 2013 09:54
    Quote
    Reply # 1420265 on 1419539
    Anonymous member

    Perhaps the main characteristic of these sails is the larger than normal balance, at about 25% or more. This means that the yard can be at a relatively low angle and that the rig will hang ‘easily’ from the yard. With this set up then it is easy to make the top panel a simple one-panel storm sail.

    There is a lot to be said for increased balance in a rig as it produces low stress and easy handling. The van Loan rig and the split rig both enjoy these advantages.

    Cheers,  Slieve.
  • 23 Oct 2013 19:04
    Quote
    Reply # 1419828 on 1419539
    Deleted user
    Hi Gary
    Yes, I assumed it was something to do with providing a particular shape to a fully-reefed sail, but it seems quite rare. Haven't seen anything like it in any of the books I've looked at.
  • 23 Oct 2013 13:38
    Quote
    Reply # 1419572 on 1419539
    Deleted user
    Considering China had hundreds different rig designs, depending on the location, part of the river and tributary, you are going to see all kinds of shapes. Those guys built them to suit some very local conditions and purpose. That Worcester chap describes a 100 or so, and he was on one river.
    Looks like the larger top panel of the linked boat is the storm sail.
    Last modified: 23 Oct 2013 13:47 | Deleted user
  • 23 Oct 2013 12:21
    Quote
    Message # 1419539
    Deleted user
    A few months ago I came across this junk, taken from a film of Hong Kong harbour in 1958. It has a top panel which is much wider (vertically) than the other panels. I found it interesting, but dismissed it as a one-off. Maybe he ran out of bamboo?

    Today I came across this junk, also from Honk Kong where it was built in 1962, also having the same characteristic top panel shape.

    Can anyone shed any light on this? I assume it is a characteristic local to Hong Kong, but maybe not. Why this particular shape for the top panel?

    Informative or entertaining guesswork also welcome.
       " ...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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