REPUBLIC OF CHINA FISHING JUNK 'FREE CHINA'

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-00423R002100480001-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 29, 2013
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: August 19, 1955
• Content Type: REPORT

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/07/29: CIA-RDP83-00423R002100480001-5
AN DEFENSE
CLASSIFICATION
0:44,10124TIAL
DATE OF INFORMATION
10 August 2955
INFORMATION REPORT
OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE
OPNAV FORM 3820-2 (REV. 11-53)
FROM
SUBJECT
DIO-3.211D
aatirmal & maous As mat
5.,IAL NO./ ./ y,
*I 155
DATE OF REPORT
3.955
RAPUBLIC OF CHINAt FISHING JUNK *FREK CH1NA*
BRIEF (FOR REPORTS OF MORE THAN ONE PAGE. ENTER CAREFUL SUMMARY)
REQUEST NO. 50X1
This report forwards Informations data and photographs of the 7S1 Chinese junk *Free
China' ia1.c1 arrived in San Francisco, California on S August 1955, with six crew
members aboard, after sailing from Kiirun, Formosa on 16 April 1955.
AIMIP 441,
0
Keels (2) through (63), Photos of Chinas, junk FREE CHINA, taken at San
Califbrnia on 10 August 1955
I)
S
la Tb. FREE CH1NA departed from Karmen 16 April 1955, and arrived at Okinawa on
26 April 19551 departed Okinawa on 3 Nay 1955 and arrived iekosuka, japan on 13 NKr
1955; daparted Yokosuka on 27 June 1955 and mailed direct to San Francisco via very
nearly ths northern great circle route, arriving San Francisoo an 1 August 1955.
2. Persons who were aboard the junk throughout its trip were:
*Norco* 1104Ing CHUNG, age 29 (Captain)
*Paul* C. C. Chew, age 29 (Navigator)
*Lo-Chi* HUI, age 34
Reno* Chi HUI, ark 34
*Benny* Chia-Chen HJ, age 29 (Engineer)
Calvin A. NEWER!, age 27 (Third Secretary of the American
Consulate in Taipsi? Formosa)
AU the Chinese were originally from the CUMW3 area, but now are reportedly fishermen
from =mom. All appeared to be in good health upon. arrival in San Francisco.
DISTRIBUTION BY ORIGINATOR
GNI AINANCIS REPOaT FOR mAvr USE ONLY)
50X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/07/29: CIA-RDP83-00423R002100480001-5
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/07/29: CIA-RDP83-00423R002100480001-5
INFORMATION REPORT
OPNAV rot* -3ozo(0)
FROM
REPORT NO. DATE
199-55
19 August 195
3.. The greatest problems encountered with the junk during the voyage weakness of
the Met between the tiller and the rudder post. ?Allure of the tiller during homey
weather resulted in a, message being sant from the Junk requesting assistance in the
Okinawa area (see comments), However, according to the crew, the weakness Appears to
be a rather frequent failing of this type of construction.
4. Machinery. The junk has no auxiliary propulsion eadhinery, its sole motive power
being by sails. However, it does have a 5 HP BUKH diesel engine which ie used fOr
auxiliary purposes. Fuel consumption of this engine- is 1/4 Ilon per hour. The
engine weaned, In Denmark, and appears to be very new. It drives a jot& abaft which
is coupled through a clutch to two flat face pulley wheels, one driving a 20V DC
generators and the other driving si windlass mounted on the mein deck. Anther of these
Rey be immured while the ether is operating by removal of the flat drive belt. Another
pulley on the jack abaft drives a mmIll bilge pup which is cepalbletipfpmmping any of
the hold* in the junk through use of a long suction hose. The generator is used to
Charge two sets of two batteries, which in turn are used to -operate 12? lights in the
cabins and engine room, and to provide power for a 12? dyeamotor which powers the radio
set. The radio is e former U.S. Navy type, TOS, such as formerly used aboard mmphibious
croft. Other anc-Chissee fittings and equipage included U.S. Mem7 type
battle lanterns,
signal flares, acertain-amount of canned goods, a rebberlife raft, and U.S. made navi-
gational equipment,
5. Hon. The hull is wood, 71I, long, 16' wide, and 5' deep (as measured at the maximum
depth from the dank to the keel). Displacement is 40 tons, The buil is divided into ten
watertiebt co-apartments by transverse bulkheads ebb* vary from three to six inches In
thickness* These bulkhead, extend from the keel to the main deck. The aftermost bulk-
head is nbout think since it must carry the load of the rudder post. The six inch
bulkhead is Immediately Aft the main mast, and is a stroWWirelmsmber which apparently
helps support the met. Three inch thick bulkheads are used at the forward end of the
cabin* and at the mid point of the cabin, apparently the smaller thiekness is used sine*
the cabin itself adds considerable strength to the hull. The sides of the cabin are
about two-inches thick, secured to ribs and beams Which extend downward to the interior
et the hull. AIX planking in the cabin and hull is joined together by opikies about 70
lingo whin's. are slightly curved in manufacture to enable them to be driven into pre-bored
bele* in adjacent planks to join the planks in what emy best be called toe-sailing. It
was not possible to determine the thiekness of the buil strikes, but they are at least
two inches thick, possibly more. There appears to be two sets of tiebers which run
longitudinally nearly the length of the ship, and are prime supporta for the decks.
These timbers are approximately eight inches square and About five feet apart,
6. Saile and rigging. The salla are made of canvas, and beiboo battens are used in
pockets which extend the length of the sails. It was not possible to determine the
sail areas, due to curvatoomlofthe loath. However, the following dimensions were
reported by crew memberst
Height of main mast (from
Height of fore mast (from
Length of nein gaff, 36
Length of main boom, 271
Length of fibre gaff, 10'
Length of fbre boom, 19.
), 31'
), 42'
2
* U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1953 - 280938
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/07/29: CIA-RDP83-00423R002100480001-5
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/07/29: CIA-RDP83-00423R002100480001-5
INFORMATION REPORT
opimAli FORM 3520.2(C) (6-53)
CLASSIFICATION
000FILIMITIAL
FROM
REPORT NO.
299-55
OATH
19 August 1955
th three masts at one time, with a sLum st located
f the cibia. However, since operated. by the present crow,
rigged. All rigging was apparentlyofChinese origin, and
originally overlies when compared to strength required
Manila line were to be used. A spar of about 100 diameter
long was available as a sea anther. The best point of sailing
a broad starboard reach, which resulted in the best speed, with a
For some reason the junk pitched more When on a port reach than
react. En sailing into the wind, the junk could make three knots
t wind while pointing to within five points of the wind. Pointing
paints resulted in the junk just holding its own against the wind, plus
412 on a
forward with a
higher than five
making lowiro7 *
7. Navigation,. Several United States H.O. publications were used in navigation. The
junk carries a sextant which is marked "U.S. MUritime Comaission.0 It also has a aro-
nometer? apparently of either Ohineselor apammescuuseacture. A toff/mail log was
available. Charts used were U.S. Hydrogrephic publications* A number of books which
appeared to be Mines, Hydrographic Obligations were observed an board. The course
between;Japan and Sam Francisco followed very nearly the great circle north of Hawaii
However, the track appeared to be someWhat south of the actual great circle. Best
days sailing during the trip was 260 miles*
8. pplise. A total of 8 tons of fru& water was available on board at the beginning
trip &maven. Of this one and one-half tons were used en route. Of a total
barrels of fuel oil, 200 gallons were used during the trans-praline trip, both
soliaiormi maim, and for the gelley range* Food consisted of canned feed and
Canned goods included mostly Chinese and American canned goods, snob it... as
surry beef, bamboo shoots, pork, pigs fest, and Wens* A total af600 younds of ries
and 250 kilograms of flaw was conmumed during the trip* A small ?window bee garden
provided some fresh vegetables and two live chickens were carried, only one of which
was eaten. The junk had adequate stowage for all these supplies* The location of
stores was as followss (cargo species indicated by number from bow to store)
1
void
6
2
water
7
3
water
8
4
empty barrels
9
5
miscellaneous
10
maiwand Ala
+Maine roma
flood stores (heneath main deck)
fUel, water
spare sails
ces number two and three which contained water, apparently wore used for fresh
the trip, oaa am nearly as could be determined, this was kept in the space
reit i.e., net in barrels or other containers. Fore and aft baffles were
observed to be located in these spaces to prevent lateral shifting of water when the
junk rolled (see enolosures (45) and (46))* Appearance of the mood from which those
baffles were made indicated they were of much more recent construction than aay other
part of the junk, (Crew ambers reported the junk as probably about 2) years old.)
In addition, it would take nearly all of the two spaces to hold the eight tons of
water reported to have been available at the start of the trip. It is net known how
oontanination of this fregh water by the sea water was effectively prevented* A sapply
3 CONFIMMTIAL
*I-1? U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1953 - 260338
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/07/29: CIA-RDP83-00423R002100480001-5
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/07/29: CIA-RDP83-00423R002100480001-5
INFORMATION REPORT
?FRANI FORM 302,0-204 0-03)
CLASSIFICATION
CONFILINTIAL
FROM
1110-1211D
REPORT NO.
19%45
DATE
19 August 1953
This owned water was carried in a 6 cam space
of fuel. Food stores were carried in the stare room
interesting structural feature in this area is a &Nat'l*
the planks Ibildas the hatch to this store roes to be
supplies were consumed* thereto?' giving additional head space in the
of fuel were stowed under the after cabin. Sail spares were carried
1d aft of the cabin.
4
U. 9. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1953 - 2130338
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/07/29: CIA-RDP83-00423R002100480001-5
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/07/29: CIA-RDP83-00423R002100480001-5
INFORMATION REPORT
OPI,40,fp,RM '3820,2(c) 03753)
50X1
CLASSIFICATION
FROM
REPORT NO.
19945
DATE
19 August 1955
Prepared;
H. 5. WF
Forwarded:.
R. D. LDIG, Captain, USK
* U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1953 - 250338
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/07/29: CIA-RDP83-00423R002100480001-5