Great Ming Military

Note:  This blog post was originally part of my Sha Chuan (沙船) article. However, after updating that article with additional information, I...

Illustration of a Qing period Feng Zhou, from 'Zhong Shan Chuan Xin Lu (《中山傳信錄》)'. It should be noted that Ming period Feng Zhou, ab...

Artistic impression of the epic spectacle of Battle of Red Cliff, erroneous...

A replica Zhejiang Niao Chuan built in 2003. Although seaworthy, the replica's sails appear much smaller than historical ships. The last...

UPDATED AUGUST 17, 2025 Drawing of a Fu Chuan with full bamboo palisade, from 'Jing Guo Xiong Lue (《經國雄略》)'. Note its rolled, rat...

UPDATED AUGUST 8, 2025 Drawing of a Guang Chu...

UPDATED JULY 23, 2025 Drawing of a Sha Chuan, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'. Originating from  Chongming Island  at the mouth of the Y...

UPDATED SEPTEMBER 17, 2022 Drawing of a Ba La Hu Chuan with a curved bow, from 'Jing Guo Xiong Lue (《經國雄略》)'.

Drawing of a European sailing ship, probably a Portuguese East Indiaman, from 'Jing Guo Xiong Lue (《經國雄略》)'.

Drawing of a Wu Gong Chuan, from 'Chou Hai Tu Bian (《籌海圖編》)'.