Famous Ships and Boats

In history, movies, books, on exhibit

War ships, ship tragedies, steam ships, yachts, and more

with Images and Information

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Chinese Ships and Boats

Jiaolong — Chinese research vessel, submersible
World's first manned research submersible designed to reach a depth of 7,000 meters below sea level. Named after a mythical river dragon, spiritually akin to the crocodile. LAUNCHED: 2010, July → FATE: Still in operation.

Keying, Junk — Chinese junk, three-masted (trading ship)
The first ship from China to visit New York where it was visited by 4,000 tourists a day paying 25 cents to board the ship and meet its crew. She was manned by 30 Chinese and 12 Englishmen, and commanded by the British Captain Charles Alfred Kellett during her travel. LAUNCHED: 1846, circa → FATE: Neglected and rotted in England in 1855.

Kiangya, SS — Chinese steamship, passenger
Blew up, probably after hitting a World War II Japanese mine, resulting in over 3000 killed. She was packed with refugees from the Chinese Civil War fleeing the advancing Communist army when she sank. LAUNCHED: 1939 → FATE: Sank December 4, 1948 in the mouth of the Huangpu River 50 miles south of Shanghai.

Kin Lung, SS — Chinese tramp steamer
The ship setting in the 1935 movie China Seas starring Clark Gable and Jean Harlow. (The ship exterior is rarely seen in the movie; image here is from an opening scene). The special effects during the typhoon with huge waves washing over everyone are dramatic and effective. LAUNCHED: 1935, for the movie; the existence of the actual ship is unknown → FATE: Inconclusive.

Ning Po — Chinese 3-masted, 291 ton junk
Spent 159 years in the Yellow Sea engaging in crimes such as smuggling, slave trading, mutiny, and piracy. During the 1920s and 1930s she sat in Catalina Harbor, Santa Catalina Island, California and was used as a backdrop for movies filmed there. LAUNCHED: 1753 → FATE: Burned in Catalina Harbor in 1938.

Taiping — Chinese steamship
Tragically collided with another vessel killing over 1,500 people. A memorial to the ship and those who died aboard her was established at Port Keeling naval base on Taiwan. The 2014 movie The Crossing is based on the sinking. LAUNCHED: 1920, probably → FATE: Sank January 27, 1949.

Tek Sin — Chinese ocean-going junk
Called the "Titanic of the East" when it sank taking with it over 1,600 people. Only about 200 people survived, being rescued by another ship the next day. LAUNCHED: 1820, circa → FATE: Grounded on a reef, then sank on February 6, 1822.

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Zheng He's fleet — Chinese treasure ship
The fleet's voyages came before most of the famous European voyages of discovery. Zheng He's seven expeditions were designed to establish a Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean and control trade. The ships dwarfed European ships of that century. LAUNCHED: 1405, first voyage → FATE: Last voyage, 1430.

The number of Chinese Ships and Boats listed is 8

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For a full list of all ships, select HERE

First Ship on each page
Page	Ship Name (Country and Type)
1.	Keying, Junk (Chinese junk)

Chinese Ships and Boats
1.	Keying, Junk Chinese junk
2.	Kiangya, SS Chinese steamship
3.	Kin Lung, SS Chinese tramp steamer
4.	Ning Po Chinese junk
5.	Taiping Chinese steamship
6.	Tek Sin Chinese ocean-going junk
7.	Zheng He's fleet Chinese treasure ship