Not everyone has heard the word "junka." But those who heard it for the first time, probably wondering what it means. Few people know that the Junka is a traditional Chinese ship, which has a number of significant differences from representatives of European shipbuilding. The difference is noticeable at first glance, and with further study of this unusual ship.
Characteristic appearance
The main difference between the Junks and other ships is that the stern of this ship is quite wide and high. At the same time, the nose, which has an almost rectangular shape, is located quite low. Regardless of destination, the traditional Chinese ship had a flat bottom. All this created a completely unusual appearance of the junks, which was effectively complemented by original sails and traditional drawings on the sides and stern. As a rule, mountains and clouds were depicted there, as well as dragons and other mythical creatures.
Due to such a large number of characteristic features, the john is probably the most recognizable vessel in the world and at the same time unique, since it has very little in common with the traditional European ships used in most countries. Nevertheless, there were many varieties of this ship - according to some reports, more than 300.
History
This name, reminiscent of the traditional American name, comes from the Malay word djong, which is a distortion of the word South Minh dialect, meaning "ship". In other words, the junk is a ship, which, in fact, it is.
An old legend says that the first ship of this type was created by Heavenly Chinese Emperor Fu Hsi. He lived in the distant 29th century BC and was known for giving the inhabitants of the country secret knowledge that contributed to the development of civilization. It is not surprising that the Chinese junky is revered by the peoples of the Far East and Southeast Asia as some kind of living creature that has disposition, character and charm. However, some historians are inclined to believe that the first Junks appeared around 1000 BC.
Despite the fact that China was less interested in exploring remote parts of the ocean than many other countries, the first marine vessel appeared here. And that was junka. Its stability made it possible to maneuver in open waters of any scale, but the speed remained rather low.
Fancy Sails
For some, the most remarkable feature of the junior is its unusual hull, while someone primarily draws attention to the sails. Masts on such a ship, as a rule, are from three to five. They placed horizontal bamboo poles, which serve as holders of unusual sails. Their general appearance resembles a fan - both externally and according to the folding system.
At first, the sails were made from reed mats, which made them very heavy, so the junk at that time was not adapted for fast sailing. But there was no need for this. But the strength of the material allowed the sails to withstand the gusts of even the strongest winds. Later, the mat was replaced with fabric, which increased the speed and maneuverability of the vessel.
At the end of the XIII century, China was visited by the Venetian merchant and traveler Marco Polo. He made a detailed description of the original Asian ship and was simply amazed that on some junks, in addition to the four masts, it was possible to install spare ones, allowing to deploy several more sails.
Military junks
What is junka for the Chinese? This is often a transport or merchant ship. Much less often it was used for military purposes. Historians note such an interesting fact: in the 16-17th centuries, Portuguese, Dutch and Japanese pirates appeared on the Chinese coast. Instead of mobilizing troops and driving them away, the Chinese turned to ancient treatises giving recommendations in this case. Not finding the answer to their question, the people of China decided to leave everything as it is.
Nevertheless, what is a junk, if not a ship, ideal for military operations? The stability of the vessel made it possible to install from 5 to 7 12-pound guns and a special bulwark, which protected from bullets and arrows. At the same time, the crew reached 200 people, and a displacement of 200 tons.
Japanese junks
The Jonks created in the Land of the Rising Sun were somewhat different from the Chinese, including externally. First of all, the curvature of the sides and the stern high above the water, hanging over the steering wheel, stood out.
Unlike the Chinese, the Japanese johnka is a ship with only one central mast, on which a narrow rectangular sail is located. Another small mast at an angle was located on the bow of the ship and probably could be retracted if necessary. Another feature of the Japanese junky is that the beams - beams that form the base of the deck - protruded outside the vessel, thereby increasing the usable space for cargo.
Modernity
Despite the fact that the junk was invented more than 3 thousand years ago, it still remains relevant. The main reason is the perfect design that provides stability, spaciousness and maneuverability in shallow water. For many years, the old ship has not changed much, even now it’s the same medieval junk. The photo clearly shows how few differences there are between an old and a modern ship.
Currently, the poor in some areas of China are forced to live on junks, which is much cheaper than buying a home. The vessel provides fishermen with food and shelter; therefore, it is a fairly popular place to stay. Owners of junior houses prefer to settle on rivers near major cities. The population in such floating villages can reach up to 80 thousand people, as, for example, in the city of Canton. In Hong Kong, the Chinese living on junks are also quite a lot - about 12 thousand. In addition, junks are currently used to attract tourists.