The Chinese Junk was a vessel used long ago and stlll today in asian seas. I believe The Junk originated from the 15th century and was a commonly used asian pirate vessel. Many famed chinese pirates gathered up tens and hundreds of converted merchant junks into a entire pirate fleet. In battle each captain was determined to win not only for glory, or goods but since his wife and children lived aboard his junk and knowing if he lost they would suffer harshly. Many chinese pirate cheifs were paid protection money by house junks or passing merchant junks so they would not be intercepted. Some junks were small and some were large carrying around 10 to 14 guns and maybe 50 or 100 men.
Junks were agile and were used in Large fleets and together they were able to take down Chinese goverment vessels, many merchantman. Some pirate leaders commaned around 1,000 junks and over 1,500 men. Some could be rowed by oars. The sail plan of Junks is different compared to The european merchantman, Junks had around 3 masts with lug sails and bamboo, a raked formast in the bow,and a small aftermost mast in the stern.
On the sides in the bow "Eyes" were painted to scare away what they believed - Sea Monsters and bad luck. In the bow there was a square shaped opening were the anchor was held. 19th century war junks usually did not have a aftermost mast.
Most junks were beautifully painted black, white, green, red, yellow etc. Overall these were probally the best pirate ship a chinese corsair could use to form his own floating kingdom of junks. Here are pictures-
Junks were agile and were used in Large fleets and together they were able to take down Chinese goverment vessels, many merchantman. Some pirate leaders commaned around 1,000 junks and over 1,500 men. Some could be rowed by oars. The sail plan of Junks is different compared to The european merchantman, Junks had around 3 masts with lug sails and bamboo, a raked formast in the bow,and a small aftermost mast in the stern.
On the sides in the bow "Eyes" were painted to scare away what they believed - Sea Monsters and bad luck. In the bow there was a square shaped opening were the anchor was held. 19th century war junks usually did not have a aftermost mast.
Most junks were beautifully painted black, white, green, red, yellow etc. Overall these were probally the best pirate ship a chinese corsair could use to form his own floating kingdom of junks. Here are pictures-
