By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel
The Free China, a wooden two-masted sailboat used 57 years ago by six young men including Zhou Chuanjun to sail across the Pacific from Taiwan to San Francisco to participate in a world sailing race, has finally returned to Taiwan in mid-May this year. In response to the welcome event for the Free China held by the Ministry of Culture on Maritime Day, July 11, the National Museum of History has organized the exhibition "Maritime Taiwan—The Free China and Admiral Cheng Ho No. 1." In addition to displaying the museum's collection of the Free China model and the ship’s diary, the exhibition also features artifacts salvaged from the ancient shipwreck Admiral Cheng Ho No. 1, which were excavated by the National Museum of History. The exhibition runs from now until August 5.
Model of the sailboat Free China. (Photo provided by the National Museum of History)
The Free China set sail from Keelung Harbor in April of the 44th year of the Republic of China (1955) en route to the United States. Along the way, it encountered a typhoon and was damaged, but after repairs by the crew, it finally arrived at its destination in early August. Although it missed the international sailing competition it had originally intended to join, the indomitable spirit of the crew was warmly welcomed by the local American public, who even erected a monument in its honor. The voyage of the Free China took place during a time of heightened tension across the Taiwan Strait, yet its bold and perilous journey exemplified the courageous maritime spirit of the people of Taiwan. In the 48th year of the Republic of China (1959), the National Museum of History acquired a model of the Free China through relevant channels and also houses a voyage diary of the Free China. This diary is an important historical record documenting the original appearance of the ship and its over 100-day journey across the Pacific.
The Free China voyage diary contains a signature record dated October 31, 1955, of our then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yeh Kung-chao, who visited the Free China while it was docked at the San Francisco pier during his visit to the United States. (Photo provided by the National Museum of History)
Admiral Cheng Ho No. 1 is an ancient shipwreck excavated by the National Museum of History in 1996 (the 85th year of the Republic of China) during an underwater archaeological survey in the waters around General Island in Penghu. Following archaeological convention, it was named "Admiral Cheng Ho No. 1." The wreck lies on the seabed more than 20 meters underwater, with only parts of the hull remaining, surrounded by hundreds of
“Ocean Taiwan – The Free China and General No. 1” Special Exhibition
Date: From now until August 5, 2012
Venue: 3rd Floor, National Museum of History (No. 49 Nanhai Road)
Website: www.nmh.gov.tw
● Further Reading: Top 10 Overseas Destinations for Taiwanese / 12 Must-Visit Attractions in New York
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