THE LAST DAYS OF JUNK

Much debate surrounds the origins of the word ‘junk’. Some believe it was derived from ‘chuan’, a Chinese word for ship. Others say it evolved from the ancient Javanese word ‘djong’, while some argue it’s a corruption of the Portuguese word ‘junco’.

But there’s no questioning the fact that these handmade wooden ships born in second-century China boast one of the most successful designs in maritime history. Junks’ half-watermelon shape engenders stability in the region’s cyclone-prone seas, while keelless hulls give them access to rivers and shallow inlets and bays. Bulkheads create watertight compartments to repair leaks at sea, while curved sails reinforced with bamboo spines that redirect wind into each other make junks fast.

These ingenious and versatile boats are still used for fishing in China and Japan today. Junks are also used for sightseeing in Hong Kong and live-aboard cruising in Cambodia and Vietnam. Following a series of fires and sinkings, however, including a 2011 tragedy that killed 11 tourists and a guide