Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms

original: "三才圖會" (Sancai Tuhui). A comprehensive encyclopedia compiled by Wang Qi and Wang Siyi during the Ming Dynasty.

Implements and Utensils, Volume 4

Combat Ship (鬪艦) original: "Doujian" A heavy warship built for direct engagement. These vessels were typically reinforced along the sides to protect the crew from projectiles and to facilitate boarding maneuvers.

Leather Boat (皮船) original: "Pichuan" A lightweight vessel constructed from animal hides stretched over a wooden or bamboo frame. These were highly portable and used by scouts or for rapid river crossings in areas where timber was scarce.

Fire Ship (火船) original: "Huochuan" A tactical vessel filled with dry reeds, oil, sulfur, and other combustibles. They were set ablaze and drifted or steered into an enemy fleet to spread fire among wooden hulls.

Sea Falcon (海鶻) original: "Haihu" Named for its speed and ability to ride high on the waves like a predatory bird, this warship featured a narrow prow and a broad stern. Its design allowed it to remain stable in rough coastal waters while maintaining the agility needed for pursuit.

Wooden Jar-Float (木罌) original: "Muying" An ancient buoyancy device. It originally referred to large clay jars tied together to support a person or a small platform, but later evolved into specialized wooden vessels shaped like jars used for crossing water silently.

Bulrush Raft (蒲筏) original: "Pufa" A simple raft made from bundles of woven reeds or bulrushes. These were common in marshy areas and among civilian populations for basic transport.

Framed Raft (械筏) original: "Xiefa" A raft constructed with a more complex internal frame or "mechanisms." In a military context, these were often used as stable platforms for moving heavy equipment or as part of temporary pontoon bridges.