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'), was an interesting weapon that was more of a trap than a true warship. It was 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 was heavily protected by bamboo palisade and raw cowhides, and its main deck was fitted with numerous gun and arrow loops allowing combatants on the ship to engage their enemy without exposing themselves to return fire. The ship was also possibly equipped with a naval ram, hence its "Single-horned" moniker. 

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