Ning Po
Chinese Junk · China · Lost 1938 · Southern California & Catalina
An 18th-century Chinese junk with a reputed history of piracy ended its long life as a beached tourist attraction that burned at Catalina Island.
Become Captain of RecordSee Shipwreck on Map
The Vessel and Her Loss
Built in 1753 in Fuzhou, the junk passed through more than a century of trading, smuggling, and service as a prison ship before being brought to California in 1913. She was moored at Catalina Island's Isthmus as a curiosity and restaurant attraction for decades. Beached at Ballast Point, she gradually filled with sand, and in 1938 the hulk was destroyed by fire. Her remains still lie beneath the harbor sands.
Vessel
- 1753
- Not established
- Fuzhou, China
- Wood
- 138 ft
- Not established
- 291
- Sail
- Meteor Company (as tourist attraction)
Loss
- 1938
- Fire
- Catalina Harbor (Cat Harbor), Santa Catalina Island, California
- Pacific Ocean, Santa Catalina Island
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
The Wreck Today
- 0-3
- Buried remains under shallow water and sand at Ballast Point in Catalina Harbor.
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
Position
- 33.43° N 118.51° W
- Approximate position
- Catalina Harbor, Santa Catalina Island, California
Position reflects the general Ballast Point location within Catalina Harbor.
Evidence
Overall confidence: Partially documented (72/100)
Many episodes of the junk's earlier Asian career rely on period promotional and newspaper accounts that cannot all be independently verified.
Vessel history, arrival in California, beaching, and 1938 burning.
San Diego History Center, Journal of San Diego History
Build date, dimensions, and earlier career narrative.
