The Journey

In eighteenth century China and earlier, porcelain was individually handcrafted. Quietly and patiently the potter moulded each piece with fine artistry. Some pieces were used locally but large stocks ended up loaded aboard ships and junks for export across the seas.

In December 1821 a great Chinese Junk sailed out of the sheltered harbour of Amoy in Fukien on the South Coast of China heading for Dutch Batavia (modern Jakarta) and carrying a full cargo of porcelain and other artefacts. The Great Junk was called the Tek Sing (True Star).

After sailing for nearly one month, it sank in the Gasper Strait more than three quarters of the way into the journey. Most of the 2000 souls on board perished and the Tek Sing lay waiting 100 feet below the surface for nearly 200 years.

In 1999 the waiting was over when after many months of searching, Underwater Sub Sea Services run by Michael Hatcher located the site of the Tek Sing.

The fateful journey now continues from the potter's hands into the twenty first century, awakened to a new world.

© 2000 Quentin Eyers, Brian Gilbertson and Ocean Salvage Corporation Ltd. All rights reserved.