Found on the Internet

I’ve been doing a bit of web surfing during the last few wet winter weeks here, and among a lot of interesting stuff, here is a link which might be technical of interest.

http://myweb.ncku.edu.tw/~chenjh/mypaper/ISBSA12.pdf

It is an academic dissertation, translated from Chinese, describing the design, computer analysis and building of a replica Ming dynasty armed commercial junk,  just a few years ago in Taiwan. I believe it has been named “Taiwan Cheng Kung” (In pinyin, Zheng Chenggong (Cheng Kung) being Chinese for “Koxinga”).

The paper includes a lines drawing – it is rare to see the lines drawing of a proper junk. There is a also a computer analysis of some theoretical differences between three different types of junk hull, and I believe the intention is to continue the research with some field trials on the actual vessel.

I would be interested to hear if anyone knows more of this project.