As to the sand ship's holding capacity, it varies according to historical records: 500 to 800 tons, or 250 to 400 tons, but the large oceangoing vessels of the Yuan Dynasty could hold as much as 1,200 tons.

During the reign of Emperor Daoguang of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), there were 5,000 sand ships in Shanghai alone, and over 100,000 in the whole country. Sand ships were widely used, serving both river and sea purposes. Historical records reveal that Chinese sand ships reached Java (Indonesia) as early as in the Song Dynasty (about the 10th century). Frescos depicting sand ships can still be found in India and Indonesia.

  The Fu-chuan Junk

Fu-chuan Junk

A type of sharp-bottom sea boat, the Fu-chuan Junk, was named after the producing place -- East China's Fujian Province -- and became known for sailing in the southern sea and high seas. During the Song Dynasty, sea boats produced in Fujian were seen as the best, and in the Ming Dynasty, Fu-chuan junks made up the navy's main force.

The ancient Fu-chuan junks were usually as high as a building, with each junk having a sharp bottom, a large deck, an up-curved bow and stern, and protection boards on both sides. The entire junk had four storeys. The first floor was filled with earth and stones for stabilizing the ship; the second floor served as the soldiers' resting place; and the third floor was for controlling the ship. Usually, the soldiers would occupy the fourth floor during battles, to shoot arrows. Installed with strong attacking equipment, the Fu-chuan junks, when pressed down, could sink the enemy's warships. With a draught (underwater cargo space) of four meters, the Fu-chuan was an excellent deep-sea warship.

The leading ship in Zheng He 's fleet, called treasure ship, adopted the Fu-chuan model.

  The Guang-chuan Junk

Manufactured in today's Guangdong Province in Southern China, the Guang-chuan Junks features a sharp bow and a long hull, with small beam arches and a low deck. The ship body, supported with a keel framework, was closely spaced with ribs and cabins. With a strong structure, Guang-chuan junks had sound navigability and continuity.

Editor: Maggie