- Address: 385 Jungang-dong Yeosu, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea
Koreans are very respectful of their history. One of its vivid manifestations is the longstanding confrontation between South Korea and Japan . An important link in this struggle was the navy. Our article is about an amazing Korean turtle ship, an excellent specimen of which can be seen today in the town of Yeosu .
History
Like many cultural sites and attractions , turtle ships appeared in the arsenal of the Korean fleet during the Joseon Dynasty. For the first time, Kobukson is mentioned in the source of 1413.
Subsequently, these vessels were actively used in battles with the Japanese from Okpho, Tangpo, in the Sachkhong and Norian battles. Thanks to his armor, the turtle ship was very good in close combat: first he rammed enemy ships, tearing their order, and then left and connected to the artillery.
Design
Kobukson is a large ship with a length of 30-37 m, armed with cannons. Each ship had 2 sails and 2 masts, and a dragon's head was in front. Sometimes it was installed another gun, but more often - just a tube, which was fed acrid smoke from the burned mixture of saltpeter and sulfur. This trick was successfully used to distract the enemies.
The main feature of this type of ship was the presence of armor, which for the 15th century is simply amazing. Scientists suggest that the Kobuxon was trimmed from above with thin metal hexagonal plates with sharp spikes. The latter served as protection against arrows, bullets, incendiary weapons and boarding.
Korean tortoise-ship in our time
To see the legendary battleship with a dragon's head, visit the embankment in Yeosu. Especially for tourists here in 1986, a full-sized copy of the turtle ship was launched, and anyone can climb to its side.
Two-story ship:
- on the ground floor there is a kitchen, an infirmary, miniature cabins, storage spaces for spare oars and gunpowder;
- on the upper deck, tourists will see the ship's guns, spears, as well as wax figures dressed in the uniforms of the Korean navy of the previous years and a portrait of the famous Admiral Lee.
In Korea, even held a festival dedicated to the victory in the Imjin War. During the holiday, among other things, the famous turtle ships are extolled, because they exerted a great influence on the successful outcome of the war.
If you want, you can see one more replica of Kobukson - it is part of the exposition of the Military Museum in Seoul . And in Yosu itself in several places you can see a small copy of this vessel.
How to get there and how to visit?
Kobukson is located on the waterfront, just south of the Tolsantegyo bridge. Outside it can be viewed completely free of charge, and to study the structure of the inner part of the ship - for 1200 won ($ 1).