漫话中国古船

An Opinion of Ancient Chinese Ship

不同的水域环境和造船材料的差别,形成了中国古船的不同船型。跨湖桥遗址中独木舟的发现,使中国成为世界上最早制造和使用独木舟的国家;秦汉以来,先后出现过楼船、八槽舰、舫、车轮船、两头船等类型,各具特色;明代出现了世界上最大的木帆船——郑和宝船,助力郑和下西洋成为世界航海史上的壮举;明清时期,形成沙船、福船、广船、鸟船四大海船船型;明清以后,由于海禁政策和造船材料的匮乏,以至于落后于世界,令人深思;进入现代,木帆船逐渐退出历史,但中国古船仍是值得铭记的优秀文化遗产。

Chinese ancient ship originated from the canoe excavated in Kuahuqiao Site,which has more than 8,000 years of history.Different water environment and shipbuilding materials formed different types of ancient ships.The excavation of Kuahuqiao canoe made China the first country in the world to manufacture and use canoes.Since the Qin and Han dynasties,there have appeared multi-board warships,eight-compartment warships,fang ships,wheel ships,double-ended vessels,etc.,each with its own characteristics.In the Ming dynasty,the world's largest wooden sailing boat,Zheng He treasure ship appeared,together with Zheng He’s treasure voyages became a feat in the world’s maritime history.During the Ming and Qing Dynasties,there were mainly four sea ship types,Shachuan,Fuchuan,Guangchuan and Niaochuan.China has a large variety of ancient ships and advanced shipbuilding technologies.However,due to the lack of shipbuilding materials and Sea Ban,after the Ming and Qing Dynasties,China lagged behind the world.In modern times,wooden sailboats gradually fade out of history,but the Chinese ancient ship is still a memorable cultural heritage.