Catalina Island Museum presents Ning Po: The Story of a Chinese Junk

March 6, 2021
Catalina Island Museum was presented with the very rare opportunity to acquire the log books from the famous Chinese Junk "Ning Po" and other related items.

The event featured Hans Van Tilburg, Ph.D., maritime archaeologist and historian for NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. His expertise is in Chinese nautical technology and the story of the "Ning Po" was part of his history dissertation at the University of Hawaii in 2002. Other guests include Tom Lynskey who recently debuted a video about the history of the "Ning Po" and Burrell "Bo" Clawson, current owner of the log book and related items.

The log books chronicle the 200-year-old junk's voyages from Japan to San Pedro and Shanghai to Los Angeles. "Ning Po" is infamous for it history of piracy and smuggling. When it came to Catalina in 1914, it operated as an attraction along the California coast before appearing at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915. In 1918, it made its final resting place in Catalina Harbor where tourists could go aboard. "Ning Po" was featured in several movies including one in the 1930’s where it was set on fire and burned. Remains can still be seen on the harbor floor today. 

This event was part education and part to help us raise $5,000 to acquire and care for these important Catalina artifacts. Our museum currently cares for the the largest collection of "Ning Po" artifacts anywhere and we were hopeful for the opportunity to provide a permanent home for this collection where it can be accessible to the public and to future researchers. 

By the end of the event, we were able to raise all the funds needed and will be adding this collection to our permanent collection. All donors who helped us acquire these artifacts will be publicly acknowledged when the items are displayed physically or digitally in gratitude.

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