Fujian junk also named Fukien trader. China East: The strong seaworthy trading vessel that worked out of the ports in the province (now spelled Fujian). Fine lines forward, with full beam running almost to the raked stern transom; narrow bow transom; bulwarks extended forward of the bow face. Flat floors; no keel; strong sheer; considerable tumblehome; low strengthening wales served also as bilge keels. Decked; cargo spaces divided into several watertight compartments; 15 full bulkheads; foremost compartment pierced to permit flooding to reduce pounding. Some had a spacious house for passengers; captain’s quarters in the high poop. Highly decorated oval transom. Deep balanced rudder, retractable; some fitted with sockets and secured by a rope that passed under the bottom to the bow; handled by a windlass; sampan hung from stern davits. At Xiamen (Amoy), bottom and lower sides whitened and protected with a coating of lime and oil, earning them the name pai-ti ch’uan or white-bottomed boat. Bulwarks generally black with green borders; the color of the bow piece indicated the home port. Oculus on each bow. Stepped 3 masts, the fore-and mizzenmasts being small. Set brown balance lugsails, of mating until the end of the 19th century, then cotton, and later canvas.
Crew 6-8, on the Amoy junks 25.
Reported lengths 18-27.5m, widths 3.7-10m.
Source: Aak to Zumbra a dictionary of the World’s Watercraft.
Singapore 1979 10c sg 366, scott? 1999 $1 sg 982, scott?