The Chinese junk, distinguished by its battened sails and flat bottom, was the dominant vessel of East Asian waters for over a thousand years, used for everything from trade to warfare. Junks formed the backbone of the massive pirate confederation led by Zheng Yi and later his widow Zheng Yi Sao in the early 19th-century South China Sea.
Quick Facts
| Ship Class | Merchant/Warship |
|---|---|
| Era Used | Song Dynasty-19th century |
| Typical Crew | 20-400 depending on size |
| Guns / Cannons | 0-40 depending on role |
| Speed / Handling | Moderate, stable in heavy seas, shallow draft with retractable rudder |
| Notable Use | Mainstay of Zheng Yi Sao's Red Flag Fleet, the largest pirate confederation in history |
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