Chinese Junk ‘Racing’

Sailors interested in the days of old should make plans to go out this Sunday and see a bit of history on the move. Princess Tai Ping, the Chinese junk that arrived in the Bay last week, will be ‘racing’ to China Camp on Sunday with the Bay’s own Chinese-inspired Grace Quan. Following the sail, a celebration will be held ashore at China Camp, and the public is invited to meet the captain and crew of Princess Tai Ping.

As you read in last Friday’s ‘Lectronic Latitude, the 54-ft Princess Tai Ping is a historically accurate replica of a 15th century cargo ship. It was built in the traditional manner in Jinjiang and launched earlier this year. Last Thursday, the boat — powered only by wind or oars — arrived in the Bay after a 65-day passage from Hong Kong. The 42-ft Grace Quan, an equally-accurate representation of a local 19th century shrimping junk, was built at China Camp by San Francisco Maritime Museum crew and volunteers in 2003.

The two craft will sail on the flood on Sunday, which means they will depart San Francisco about 11 and arrive at China Camp around 2 p.m.