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| Ming Dynasty replica junk sinks | Ming Dynasty replica junk sinks |
| (about 24 hours later) | |
| A replica 16th Century junk has sunk off Taiwan, one day short of completing an epic voyage to the US and back. | |
| The Ming dynasty-style Princess Taiping was trying to prove that China's greatest admiral, Zheng He, could have reached North America 600 years ago. | The Ming dynasty-style Princess Taiping was trying to prove that China's greatest admiral, Zheng He, could have reached North America 600 years ago. |
| After surviving several storms during its 10-month voyage, the junk broke in two and sank after it was rammed by a freighter just off Taiwan's coast. | After surviving several storms during its 10-month voyage, the junk broke in two and sank after it was rammed by a freighter just off Taiwan's coast. |
| All 11 crew members were rescued after being found adrift on the wreckage. | All 11 crew members were rescued after being found adrift on the wreckage. |
| "We have worked so hard for so many years, but we failed at the last minute, I'm really ashamed," said Taiwanese captain Liu Ningsheng after being rescued by the coast guard. | "We have worked so hard for so many years, but we failed at the last minute, I'm really ashamed," said Taiwanese captain Liu Ningsheng after being rescued by the coast guard. |
| The 54ft-long (16.5m) Princess Taiping, powered only by cotton sails on three masts, was designed according to ancient specifications. | The 54ft-long (16.5m) Princess Taiping, powered only by cotton sails on three masts, was designed according to ancient specifications. |
| It set sail last June and called at several ports on the US west coast, including San Francisco, and at Honolulu, after riding out several storms. | It set sail last June and called at several ports on the US west coast, including San Francisco, and at Honolulu, after riding out several storms. |
| It sank 30 miles (48km) off the island's north-eastern port of Suao, just hours shy of completing its record-breaking Pacific crossing. | It sank 30 miles (48km) off the island's north-eastern port of Suao, just hours shy of completing its record-breaking Pacific crossing. |
| Capt Liu's crew included six Americans, two Japanese, one Taiwanese and a Chinese national. | Capt Liu's crew included six Americans, two Japanese, one Taiwanese and a Chinese national. |
| Several were treated for hypothermia or light injuries, but later released. | Several were treated for hypothermia or light injuries, but later released. |
| Some historians argue that the Chinese discovered America, citing anchors and various other Chinese artefacts found scattered on the floor of the Pacific Ocean. | Some historians argue that the Chinese discovered America, citing anchors and various other Chinese artefacts found scattered on the floor of the Pacific Ocean. |