The China Voyage: A Quest by Bamboo Raft

Tim Severin really is the master of this genre - I guess you could label it nautical archaeological re-enactment voyages or something.
In this case, a traditional Chinese bamboo raft with three masts, and an attempt to travel from Hong Kong to the New World - the Americas. This voyage - to demonstrate whether a bamboo raft was a viable method of travel in support of those theories that the Chinese and South American peoples had early contact before Columbus.

As fits Severin's (successful) mould for his books, we start with an exciting part of the voyage - in this case (and I am not giving too much away, as this is literally the first few pages) an encounter with modern day pirates - exciting and pretty funny, for a number of reasons. First the crew didn't recognise that these were pirates, and were about to ask for a tow into the harbour, and secondly, the pirates determined that the raft appeared to have nothing worth stealing.

Next Severin outlines the history and background to the voyage. His research follows, and some initial on-the-ground investigation into bamboo - where to source it, who still has the skills to work with it, and the knowledge. In this case, in Vietnam, fishermen still construct and use bamboo rafts - although only a fraction of the size an intercontinental sized raft would be.

He involves his nautical architect, sets up his construction team, and heads inland to source materials. As the construction of the raft nears it end, he sets about establishing his crew.

Severin had decided on a departure from Hong Kong, and a voyage from there to Taiwan as a sea-trial, and to establish some technique. The next stop would be Japan, then the major leg across the north Pacific to America. Things don't always work out the way expected, and the weather, sea conditions and the rafts handling mean that landing in Taiwan isn't possible, so that first leg becomes a lot longer, finally landing in Miyako, in the Ryukyu Island chain (Japan).

A crew change further up the coast (still in Japan), some re-stocking of water and provisions and they were off on the main voyage.

There is a lot to happen from this point, but there would be spoilers. Suffice it to say that Severin writes a great book. He covers every aspect of the voyage, but doesn't labour any particular aspect. he is always balanced in his view, finds a good way to explain and justify the decisions made, and keep his initial goals in mind. The crew all have their say, they have their ups and downs, and they have their strengths and weaknesses. Severin does a good job to bring that all together.

This was an enjoyable read, and it fits the mould of his earlier voyages. It was perhaps lighter on the research and development of techniques side of things, and sits behind some of his other books in enjoyment, but for me still a good 4 star read.