『漂民對話』의 사료적 가치와 표류선의 구조

Abstract

Pyomindaehwa(“Conversations with People Adrift”) is an invaluable document containing plenty of information about the shape and structure of Korean traditional ships in the early 19th century, treatment of people adrift, and more. This paper discusses the value of Pyomindaehwa as a historical source of data and describes the terminology, size, structure, and other aspects of the late Joseon-Dynasty ships as documented in Pyomindaehwa. Based on the conducted study it can be stated without much doubt that the book was written based on facts. This is because the conversations contained in the book are presented in such detail that it is difficult to question its authenticity, judging from the terminology used to describe the structure of ships, their production process, and other aspects. Although it has been claimed that Pyomindaehwa was prepared mainly based on conversations that took place in 1836 between people adrift and Japanese interpreter officials, this paper puts forward the opinion that the book must have been completed between 1836 and 1845. Even though the ship production sequence and ship terminology used in the book are very unfamiliar in modern times, it is confirmed that some of the ship materials back then can still be found, having the same name and structure as ships used nowadays along the coast of Jeolla Province. The drifting ships were owned by merchants from Jeolla Province and, considering the size of the sail and helm, thatch hut, and so on, the length, width and height of the ships were approximately 13.4~15m, 4m and 1.5~2m, respectively. The ships were divided into nine sections. The sail was weaved in the form of a mat with one mast at the stern and another at the stem. The difference in height between the two masts was about 150cm. Below the sail was a thatched hut with a length similar to the length of the ship. In the final analysis, it is concluded that the drifting ships from Pyomindaehwa had a strong resemblance, in terms of both shape and size, with the Joseon Dynasty ships in a picture painted by Philipp Franz von Siebold. Korea used to be a country wide-open toward the sea. Since land routes were not well-developed, ships were a more useful means of transportation than cattle or horses. However, as products of modern civilization were gradually introduced and overland transport by railway and automobiles became the main means of transportation, traditional ships and important nautical skills were also gradually forgotten about. Pyomindaehwa is a very useful document in an effort to revive the structure of the forgotten traditional ships and ship terminology.