Far East Junks - TheHistoryFiles.com

13th Century Mongol Multi-masted Oceanic Junk.

Japanese Junk Japanese junks differed somewhat from the junks of China, since it was necessary to sail among the islands of Japanese archipelago where the large flat-bottomed Chinese vessels would find it difficult to maneuver in the rough seas. Similar ships to this one were equipped as warships and composed the fleet of the Mongol […]

Far East Junks, Medieval, Piracy, Sail

Navigation and Ships in China

This picture of a medieval Chinese war junk distorts many of the key features to give a dramatic effect, but it does illustrate the multiple decks, the highly responsive rigging and steering systems, including a stern rudder controlled by a tiller and a lateral auxiliary steering oar. It was the increasing number of guns on […]

British, China, Far East Junks, Piracy

The Demise Of Jolly Roger II

Once a gunboat had been sent to the Far East it was Admiralty policy that she should end her days there, with any necessary repairs being carried out at Hong Kong. Commissions lasted between three and four years, with replacement crews being sent out aboard transports or troopships. Service aboard gunboats was uncomfortable and so […]