Huo Long Chuan (火龍船)

MINOR UPDATE MARCH 6, 2024

Drawing of a Huo Long Chuan, from 'Huo Long Jing (《火龍經》)'.

Huo Long Chuan (火龍船, lit. 'Fire dragon ship'), full name Shen Fei Du Jiao Huo Long Chuan (神飛獨角火龍船, lit. 'Divine flying single-horned fire dragon ship'), is an interesting weapon that is more of a trap than a true warship. It is a small three-decked warship with the hull of an ocean-going vessel but is propelled by oars or paddle-wheels. The hull of Huo Long Chuan is heavily protected by bamboo fencing and raw cowhides, and its main deck is fitted with numerous gun and arrow loops allowing combatants on the ship to engage their enemy without exposing themselves to return fire. The ship is also possibly equipped with a naval ram, hence the "horned" moniker. 

The combination of high speed and heavy protection turns Huo Long Chuan into a capable assault warship similar to Meng Chong (蒙衝) of old, as it can quickly dash into enemy fleet formation with gun and flamethrower blazing in every direction, sowing confusion and chaos. However, these are but secondary to Huo Long Chuan's true purpose, which is to serve as a deadly trap for enemy boarders. To this end, the weather deck of Huo Long Chuan is modified into a giant trapdoor that leads directly to its middle deck, which is disconnected from other decks and filled with all sort of sharp implements. Additionally, two secret compartments with ladders are installed at the bow and stern of the ship so that its crews can move between main and lower deck without having to pass through the trap-filled middle deck.