30-meter-long Ming Dynasty replica ship restored

(ECNS) -- A large Fu replica ship of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) era was recently restored in Quangang District, Quanzhou City.

About 30 meters long and 2.15 meters deep, the ship cost a dozen experienced shipbuilders over five months to finish.

An ancient "Ba luo" order ceremony affirmed the ship's seaworthiness.

Fu ships are also called Fujian ships, featuring a broad hull. The bow of the ship is tilted at both ends.

As one of the four ancient Chinese ships, Fu ships feature watertight-bulkhead technology, which once helped Chinese mariner and explorer Zheng He travel across the ocean to the west.

This technology is still widely used in modern ship building.

The previous "Ba luo" order relies on manual labor, but technology has shortened the duration, said Huang Jiahui, head of Quangang District Cultural Center.

"This ship is moored at our fishing port. It can sail at sea. Students can visit the vessel and learn ancient Fu shipbuilding techniques. A Fu ship museum is also on the cards," said Lin Peizong, Secretary of Chengping Village party branch in Quangang.