The famous junk ‘Ning Po’, Catalina Harbour, South Catalina Island, California, USA

Collection

Identifier

JC-s459

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Notes

University of Bristol - Historical Photographs of China reference number: JC-s459. This three-masted ship was built of ironwood and camphor in Fuzhou (Foochow) in 1753 and named ‘Kin Tai Foong’ (The Golden Typhoon). Over many years, the fast, strong and well-equipped junk was used as a smuggler, slave trader, prison ship and for martial purposes. W.M. Milne of Pasadena purchased the notorious junk and it sailed to USA, arriving in San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, in 1913. The junk was used as a restaurant and for tourism, eventually mooring in Catalina Harbour, South Catalina Island, where it was burned in 1935. See ‘Gum Saan Journal, December 1979 (https://gumsaanjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/scanned_volumes/gsj-1979.pdf) and http://www.cawreckdivers.org/Wrecks/Ningpo.htm. See JC-s455, JC-s457 and JC-s461 (which is a detail/extract of JC-s459).

Caption on photograph

The ‘Ning Po’ – An old Chinese pirate junk anchored at the ‘Isthmus’ Catalina Island. I was on it when I spent a week at Catalina two years ago. / The fishes, crabs and small octopus play in her cock pit. / She is still here – Only 140 years old. Love Nina / Mrs M. Pirkins.