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Illustrated Description of Foreign Ships

Illustrated Treatise on the Maritime Kingdoms, Volume 100

Regarding the cannon positions 礮位 (paowei): the designated ports or stations for artillery on a ship located above the waterline: the largest ships have seventy-two guns, while the next tier varies from fifty to sixty. These cannon positions are arranged along both sides of the hull. Because the bow and stern of these ships are both high and upturned, cannons cannot be mounted there; this is a distinct difference from domestic referring to Qing Dynasty Chinese warships.

At the bow of the ship, there is a large diagonal timber several zhang 丈 (zhang): a traditional unit of length, approximately 3.3 meters or 11 feet long. All the intricate sails and rigging are tied to its end. This is called the "head-nose" this refers to the bowsprit. It serves as the primary control for the entire ship; it is so massive that it requires dozens of men to adjust it.

Conversely, the steering mechanism 柁機 (tuoji): the rudder and its associated mechanical linkages at the stern is remarkably flexible and ingenious. It requires only one or two people to turn it by hand. This is another point of difference from domestic ships, which require the full strength of many men at the tiller.

The mainmast 大桅 (dawei) is constructed from three sections of large timber joined and spliced together spliced construction; it is not a single, solid trunk standing alone. When catching the wind, these ships can sail in three directions likely a reference to the ability of Western square-rigged ships to "tack" or sail closer to the wind than traditional Chinese junks, though the author notes their limitations in a direct headwind. However, if they face a direct headwind, they appear particularly towering and sluggish compared to domestic seafaring vessels.

Although their masts are said to be sturdy, the cannon positions suspended from them likely referring to the "fighting tops" or platforms on the masts are very small. When an alarm is raised, they fire these small guns merely as a signal. During a battle, they might fire projectiles into the air to let them fall from above and intimidate the enemy, but in reality, these are not intended for direct offensive attacks.