Download Volume 2 of Worcester's Junks and Sampans of the Yangtze

Miao-Ch'uan boat, from Junks and Sampans of the Yangtze, Vol. 2, G.R.G. Worcester

Now available for free download is Volume 2 of G.R.G. Worcester's huge and detailed work, Junks and Sampans of the Yangtze: The Craft of the Lower and Middle Yangtze and Tributaries. It joins Volume 1 and other books on Asian watercraft on our page of free downloads. 

Among the hundreds of craft included are the lovely Miao-Ch'uan or Miao boat (above). The one shown, at 47' LOA, beam ~5', and depth 2', is a typical size for the type. Although slender and graceful, they are heavily built on eight bulkheads, for use in rapids. During downstream travel, control is maintained with the long bow sweep; to move upstream, the craft is tracked with a line fixed to the short mast. They were used to carry cargoes of beans, cotton, yarn, and gypsum, and by hog farmers to carry pigs, meat, manure and feed.

The tiny double sampan below, a little more than 5' long and 5' broad, was used by fishermen on calm waters, using a long-handled net to scoop up fish between the twin hulls. It was light enough to pick up and carry home at the end of the day.

Ichang "Water Shoes", from Junks and Sampans of the Yangtze, Vol. 2, G.R.G. Worcester

Download G.R.G. Worcester's "Junks and Sampans of the Yangtze, Vol. 1"

A skiff propelled by a yulow, or stern sculling oar. From Worcester, G.R.G., The Junks and Sampans of the Yangtze, Vol.1 (1947).

Now available for free download is G.R.G.Worcester's monumental study The Junks and Sampans of the Yangtze (1947), Volume 1: Introduction: and Craft of the Estuary and Shanghai Area. It contains lengthy descriptions of an amazing number of boat and ship types and dozens of plates of very clean construction plans similar to the one above, although most are of larger vessels. The Introduction details propulsion methods, rigging arrangements (like the image below), rudder configurations, anchors and other fittings.  

Details of spritsail rigging. From Worcester, G.R.G., The Junks and Sampans of the Yangtze, Vol.1 (1947).

Download Farrère and Fouqueray's Rare "Jonques et Sampans" Free

"Le Port de Saigon", from Jonques et Sampans, p.28 (of PDF)

 

Now available for free download is Jonques et Sampans by Claude Farrère and Charles Fouqueray. The valuable, hand-painted limited edition (500 copies) book, published in 1945, was scanned and made available to us by a generous enthusiast who wishes to remain anonymous. 

The text of Jonques et Sampans is in French and is less technical than the other books on our free downloads page. It describes watercraft in China, Indochina, and Singapore and is illustrated with dozens of beautiful watercolors.

 

Small craft in Hue, from Jonques et Sampans, p.75 (of PDF)