Junks are Chinese vessels that have been used since AD 200 and are still used extensively in Southeast Asia. They have a flexible and versatile junk rig, compartmentalized hulls, and are designed to carry a large assortment of goods. Junks have helped China dominate maritime trade in Asia for centuries and continue to be useful for transportation. They are often depicted in paintings and covered in red flags to protect crew and cargo from demons.
A junk is a type of vessel closely associated with China, its nation of origin. Contrary to the name’s implications, a junk is anything but. Indeed, the junks were quite new for their time, and were superior to anything produced in Europe for centuries; Chinese junk also integrated a number of innovations that continue to be used in shipbuilding to this day. Despite the fact that junks were developed around AD 200 and are therefore quite old, these vessels continue to be used extensively throughout Southeast Asia today, and you can see many fine examples under full sail in this part of the world.
Like other early vessels, the junk is a sailing vessel. However, the junk rig is extremely flexible and versatile, allowing people to sail junks into the wind and steer the ship with minimal crew. The vessel is controlled with a rudder, another innovation, and the hull of a junk is divided into compartments. While the thought of a compartmented hull may seem obvious to you, it was a strictly Chinese invention and didn’t appear widely in European ships until the late 1700s, when numerous people including Benjamin Franklin recommended building compartmentalized ships “Chinese-style . ”
A junk is designed to carry a large assortment of goods in compartments that can be easily inventoried and organized. The compartmentalized design allowed captains to divide cargo easily, sorting them by type, owner, and other categorizations. The design also helped prevent the junks from sinking, and in the event the hull was breached, reduced the damage to the breached compartments, rather than allowing it to spread throughout the ship.
In addition to being used successfully in and around Southeast Asia, evidence suggests that trash has also historically been used for long sea voyages. These durable, sturdy, and versatile vessels have helped China dominate maritime trade in Asia for centuries, and continue to be extremely useful methods of transportation for people and goods.
If you find yourself traveling along the coast of Asia, chances are high you’ll see a junk or two. Junks can also be seen in a number of paintings; the Chinese often depicted odds and ends in their art, as did intrigued European visitors. You may notice that many trinkets are covered in flags, especially red flags. These flags are said to protect crew and cargo from demons, ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey.
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