This lithograph depicts a Chinese junk off the coast of Singapore in the mid-1830s. In 1835, almost half of Singapore’s trade with China was carried by Chinese junks, which arrived in Singapore from January to March, following the northeast monsoon. The junks collected Straits produce for the China market and also supplied the Chinese settlements in Singapore and the region with Chinese produce and manufactured goods. These included confectionery, dried and salted fruits, dried vegetables, medicine, ceramics, floor tiles and silk. The junks also brought in Chinese immigrants. The larger, square-rigged ship depicted in the background is the Astrolabe, a French exploration ship which visited Singapore in June 1839. The Astrolabe explored the South Pacific, Antarctica, and the East Indies, conducting a geographical and biological survey of these regions.
