2-979-621 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The War in China - Chinese Modern Junk of War: Second Class, 1857. Opium Wars. '...the progress of naval architecture in China has advanced far beyond what the people of that country might have been given credit for; and, though still carrying out their eccentric tastes in the more prominent features of their vessels, the shipping of the present day is of excellent and seaworthy character. In the place of the deep-waisted craft of former times, with head and stern forming nearly a half-circle, they have now vessels in which this peculiarity is greatly modified, and in some vessels entirely dispensed with. In the lorchas, snake-boats, smuggling craft, pirate junks, and other boats peculiar to the China Seas, the lines of the vessels are of the most beautiful character, and they exhibit the greatest speed in all their movements and performances'. From "Illustrated London News", 1857.