HISTORY OF MARINE ARCHITECTURE.

293

to tvVo thirds of that of the junk. Their sails, which are formed of mats, madeof bamboo, or of some cane plentiful in China, are so constructed as todivide into leaves, and shut up not unlike a fan ; each section being governed by a- rod of bamboo. These canes serve to augment the general strength of the sail,and the Chinese sailors run up them when they find it necessary to go aloft, asEuropeans do up the shrowds; though the former generally carry on the manoeuvresnecessary to work the vessel, upon deck *. The upper part of the sail is attachedto a yard, which is brought in contact with the mast, not at the centre, but nearthe end; on the deck is a bar or beam, more than a foot in breadth, and fouror five inches thick, supported by a post at a sufficient height to admit a passageunder it, for the men ; on this the main sail rests, when lowered, and is keptsteady by it, when drawn up. These sails, owing to their stiffness, hold a considerableproportion of wind ; but, however well fitted and appropriated the rigging and sailsmay be, their excellence is greatly overbalanced by the defects in the hull; inso-much that, upon the whole, the vessel makes but little way, and appears extremelyill calculated for extensive, or even safe navigation. The natives, however, whompractice and long habit have taught to overcome the disadvantages their marinearchitects have subjected them to, perform the short voyages to which they areaccustomed, with, in all probability, as much security as the more artificial andscientific forms of European vessels afford to the seamen who navigate them. Theyhave neither pilot nor master on board, but are solely managed by the mariners,who steer them, and who are, in every respect, sufficiently skilful in their dif-ferent occupations. But it is to be remembered, that their voyages are short,easy, and performed in calm weather ; for they have little notion of pilotage inthe open sea, where they lay the head of the ship upon the rhumb, or line, onwhich they propose to sail, and hold on their track without giving themselvesany concern respecting the deviation of the vessel from its course, or what is morecorrectly called, its lee-way.

A soma, or vessel, of which a Jesuit missionary has given the particulars, writtenabout the year 1687, was, in burden, nearly one hundred and twenty tons. Thegeneral mould, with the exception of the prow, had a pleasing appearance. Itsmain-mast stood considerably forwarder than it is placed by Europeans; and thetwo masts were very close to each other. The stays and shrowds were of simple

* Authentic Accounts of an Embassy from the King of Great Britain to the Emperor of China,by Sir George Staunton, Baronet; vol. 1 . p. 435.

Vol. III. T t cordage,