Fujian ICH: Watertight-bulkhead technology of Chinese junks

The watertight-bulkhead technology of Chinese junks is a traditional shipbuilding craft originating from Fujian province.

This ancient technique involves constructing ocean-going vessels with watertight compartments, significantly enhancing the safety and durability of the ships. Using horizontal bulkheads to create independent, non-leaking compartments ensures that if one or two sections are breached, the remaining compartments remain dry, allowing the vessel to stay afloat.

The construction of these junks primarily uses camphor, pine, and fir timber, assembled with traditional carpentry tools. Key techniques include rabbet-jointing the planks and caulking the seams with a mixture of ramie, lime, and tung oil to ensure watertightness. The process is overseen by a master craftsman who coordinates a team of skilled workers, and local communities often participate in ceremonies to pray for the vessel's safety.

This technology was introduced to the West by Marco Polo in the late 13th century and has since influenced global shipbuilding practices. However, with the advent of steel-hulled ships, the demand for traditional Chinese junks has declined, and only a few master craftsmen remain fully proficient in this art. The rising costs of materials and the decreased need for wooden vessels have further threatened the transmission of this heritage, leading to its inclusion in 2010 on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.