Ship model image done by Kotaro Yamafune.
Ship model image done by Kotaro Yamafune.

Asian Ship Models - Spencer Collection

Filipe Castro

Asian Ship Models – The Spencer Collection

Filipe Castro

 

The Department of Anthropology at Texas A&M University has two exceptional collections of Asian ship models that need to be studied and published.

The Spencer Collection (29 models) was built in China between 1934 and 1940 and offered to Texas A&M University in 1974.  It was made by a professional model builder from the port of Yichang, on the Yangtze River and encompasses a variety of boats from the Yangtze River Basin.  Dr. Spencer published a book with the entire collection of models, which constitutes a unique snapshot of the watercraft types sailing on that section of the Yangtze River in the 1930s and 1940s.

 

Figure 1. Junks of Central China. The Spencer Collection of Models at Texas A&M University book cover.
Figure 1. Junks of Central China. The Spencer Collection of Models at Texas A&M University book cover.

 

In 2015, then ShipLAB student Kotaro Yamafune made an experiment with 3D recording, which revealed itself time consuming and difficult with the software we had available (Agisoft).

 

The Models

01. Kan-Ch'uan

Figure 2.1. Model 1.
Figure 2.1. Model 1.
Figure 2.2. Model 1.
Figure 2.2. Model 1.

 

02. P'ing-T'iao-Tzu

Figure 3.1. Model 2.
Figure 3.1. Model 2.
Figure 3.2. Model 2.
Figure 3.2. Model 2.

 

03. Wu-Chiang-Tzu

Figure 4.1. Model 3.
Figure 4.1. Model 3.
Figure 4.2. Model 3.
Figure 4.2. Model 3.

 

04. Ma-Yang Pa-Kan

Figure 5.1. Model 4.
Figure 5.1. Model 4.
Figure 5.2. Model 4.
Figure 5.2. Model 4.

 

05. Chunk-Yen-Pan

Figure 6. Model 5.
Figure 6. Model 5.

 

06. Ch'an-Tzu

Figure 7. Model 6.
Figure 7. Model 6.

 

07. Lao-Ho-K'ou Ch'iu-Tzu

Figure 8.1. Model 7.
Figure 8.1. Model 7.
Figure 8.2. Model 7.
Figure 8.2. Model 7.

 

08. Hsiang-yang Pien-Tzu

Figure 9.1. Model 8.
Figure 9.1. Model 8.
Figure 9.2. Model 8.
Figure 9.2. Model 8.

 

09. Ching-Pan Hua-Tzu

Figure 10.1. Model 9.
Figure 10.1. Model 9.
Figure 10.2. Model 9.
Figure 10.2. Model 9.

 

10. Ching-Pan Hua-Tzu

Figure 11.1. Model 10.
Figure 11.1. Model 10.
Figure 11.2. Model 10.
Figure 11.2. Model 10.

 

11. Ching-Pang-Ch'uan

Figure 12.1. Model 11.
Figure 12.1. Model 11.
Figure 12.2. Model 11.
Figure 12.2. Model 11.

 

12. Pien-Ho Hua-Tzu

Figure 13.1. Model 12.
Figure 13.1. Model 12.
Figure 13.2. Model 12.
Figure 13.2. Model 12.

 

13. T'o-Pien-Tzu

Figure 14.1. Model 13.
Figure 14.1. Model 13.
Figure 14.2. Model 13.
Figure 14.2. Model 13.

 

14. Shui-Pao-Chia Fei-Hsieh

Figure 15.1. Model 14.
Figure 15.1. Model 14.
Figure 15.2. Model 14.
Figure 15.2. Model 14.

 

15. Fan-Kuan-Ch'uan

Figure 16.1. Model 15.
Figure 16.1. Model 15.
Figure 16.2. Model 15.
Figure 16.2. Model 15.

 

16. I-Chang Po-Ch'uan

Figure 17.1. Model 16.
Figure 17.1. Model 16.
Figure 17.2. Model 16.
Figure 17.2. Model 16.

 

17. I-Chang Hua-Tzu

Figure 18.1. Model 17.
Figure 18.1. Model 17.
Figure 18.2. Model 17.
Figure 18.2. Model 17.

 

18. I-Chang Lung-Ch'uan

Figure 19. Model 18.
Figure 19. Model 18.

 

19. Wu-Pan

Figure 20.1. Model 19.
Figure 20.1. Model 19.
Figure 20.2. Model 19.
Figure 20.2. Model 19.

 

20. Yu-Cheng-Ch'uan

Figure 21.1. Model 20.
Figure 21.1. Model 20.
Figure 21.2. Model 20.
Figure 21.2. Model 20.

 

21. Shou-K'ou Ma-Yang-Tzu

Figure 22.1. Model 21.
Figure 22.1. Model 21.
Figure 22.2. Model 21.
Figure 22.2. Model 21.

 

22. Shou-K'ou Ma-Yang-Tzu

Figure 23.1. Model 22.
Figure 23.1. Model 22.
Figure 23.2. Model 22.
Figure 23.2. Model 22.

 

23. I-Chang Ma-Yang-Tzu

Figure 24.1. Model 23.
Figure 24.1. Model 23.
Figure 24.2. Model 23.
Figure 24.2. Model 23.

 

24. Ma-Yang Kua-Tzu-Ch'uan

Figure 25.1. Model 24.
Figure 25.1. Model 24.
Figure 25.2. Model 24.
Figure 25.2. Model 24.

 

25. Pa-Tung Hsiao-Ho-Hua-Tzu

Figure 26.1. Model 25.
Figure 26.1. Model 25.
Figure 26.2. Model 25.
Figure 26.2. Model 25.

 

26. Hsiang-Chi Tou-K'ou

Figure 27.1. Model 26.
Figure 27.1. Model 26.
Figure 27.2. Model 26.
Figure 27.2. Model 26.

 

27. Wu-Shan Shen-Po-Tzu

Figure 28.1. Model 27.
Figure 28.1. Model 27.
Figure 28.2. Model 27.
Figure 28.2. Model 27.

 

28. Wai-Pi-Ku

Figure 29.1. Model 28.
Figure 29.1. Model 28.
Figure 29.2. Model 28.
Figure 29.2. Model 28.

 

29. Lao-Hua-Ch'iu

Figure 30.1. Model 29.
Figure 30.1. Model 29.
Figure 30.2. Model 29.
Figure 30.2. Model 29.

 

References

Herron, R., 1995. “Spencer’s Junks of Central China: Understanding Five Models,” The Nautical Research Journal, 40.3:  148-158.

Spencer, J., 1976. Junks of Central China. The Spencer Collection of Models at Texas A&M University. College Station: Texas A&M University Press.

 

 

 

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