Junks and sampans of the Yangtze. A study in Chinese nautical research
Shanghai: Statistical Department of the Inspectorate General of Customs, 1947-48. First edition, China. The Maritime Customs. III.--Miscellaneous Series: Nos. 53 & 54. 2 volumes, 4to, pp. xxviii, 245, [1]; xv, [1], [247]-506; 199 plates plus illustrations and tables in the text; original green cloth stamped in gilt on upper cover and spine; generally fine and bright. Containing the author's personal Epilogue and a 4-page glossary at the back of volume II. "In the prefatory note to Mr. Worcester's earlier book - Junks and Sampans of the Upper Yangtze - Sir Frederick Maze, former Inspector General of Customs, pointed out that the Chinese have probably shown more originality than any other people in connection with shipbuilding, and commented on their ingenuity in designing vessels to suit special requirements and different conditions. Mr. Worcester's present book, which deals with the craft of the Yangtze Estuary, provides further striking evidence of the high degree of specialization in design and function achieved by Chinese shipbuilders. Steam and internal combustion engines, with their superior speed and economy, have already supplanted the sail and the oar on certain routes and in certain types of vessels, and these developments must inevitably continue, but even to-day an immense tonnage of cargo, and uncounted thousands of passengers, are carried by the junks and sampans described in this book" (Prefatory note). Worcester was for 30 years employed in the Chinese Maritime Customs, and produced a total of four volumes on the watercraft of the Yangtze. The present work covers the craft of the estuary and Shanghai area, and the Lower and Middle Yangtze. The standard and much esteemed work on the subject. Item #62527
Price: $850.00
