Protecting historical evidence at Hoang Sa Exhibition House

VHO - Visitors to the Hoang Sa Exhibition House (Da Nang) are impressed by a massive fishing boat hull located on the right side of the Exhibition House's facade, facing the windy Hoang Sa street.

Not just an ordinary fishing boat hull, this is the hull of a Vietnamese ship that was illegally sunk by a Chinese iron-hulled ship.

Currently, the ship's hull is kept by Da Nang city as an important historical relic, a valuable historical document to foster patriotism in the young generation, at all costs to maintain the sea and islands, protect the homeland and the country from all acts of invasion.

Fishing boat DNa 90152 TS is a wooden boat owned by Ms. Huynh Thi Nhu Hoa, Thanh Khe ward, Da Nang city. The boat's engine capacity is 450.0 CV, the maximum load capacity of the boat is 17.66 tons. The general structure of this type of fishing boat includes: Main beam (kyp), bow (xơ), frame, hull, deck (xa crow), cabin, storage compartment, steering system, stern...

On May 26, 2014, while fishing in the Hoang Sa waters under Vietnam's sovereignty , fishing boat DNa 90152 TS was sunk by a Chinese iron-hulled ship.

The preserved and protected hull of the fishing boat DNa 90152 TS is an important historical evidence of the will to protect the territorial integrity and seas of Vietnam.

This incident occurred in the context of China illegally placing the Haiyang 981 drilling rig in Vietnam's exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

On May 30, 2014, fishing vessel DNa 90152 TS was towed by transport ship VT 57 to Da Nang port.

Recognizing the great historical significance of the ship, Ms. Huynh Thi Nhu Hoa decided to keep the status quo and donate the fishing boat DNa 90152 TS to Da Nang city. Her wish is that the city will organize the preservation and display of this ship's hull as an undeniable evidence denouncing China's arrogant actions.

In April 2019, the fishing boat hull artifact DNa 90152 TS was brought back to display at the outside of Hoang Sa Exhibition House.

On October 27, 2021, Hoang Sa Special Zone assigned Hoang Sa Exhibition House the task of protecting, managing and using the fishing boat hull artifact DNa 90152 TS. The goal is to serve the display and education of patriotism and the protection of sea and island sovereignty for generations of people.

Mr. Le Tien Cong - Director of Hoang Sa Exhibition House said: “From 2014 to 2019, this ship was kept in Tho Quang Port. Before that, when Ms. Huynh Thi Nhu Hoa bought it, this traditional wooden ship was decades old, so when it was brought to display outdoors without a roof, the artifact was directly and continuously affected by harsh natural factors. Hoang Sa Exhibition House also encountered certain difficulties in conservation and management, including the challenge of preserving the intact artifact.”

This is one of the largest fishing boat hulls in Da Nang.

After being assigned by the city to protect, manage and use the fishing vessel hull DNa 90152 TS, Hoang Sa Exhibition House has proactively implemented the work of preserving and periodically repairing the artifacts, regularly cleaning and treating termites on all artifacts.

For rusted equipment and bolts on the hull, the unit has applied anti-rust paint. However, because the fishing boat is old and displayed outdoors, permanently displayed and directly affected by sea winds and storms, the rate of corrosion and rusting occurs very quickly, requiring stronger intervention measures, and a longer-term preservation solution to avoid further damage to the artifacts.

In 2022, during the renovation and restoration, Hoang Sa Exhibition House dismantled damaged hatch covers, cleaned the areas that needed to be replaced, installed new fabricated hatch covers; dismantled and cut off rotten or damaged beams, ribs, deck boards, and planks according to the instructions and markings of technicians; installed new parts into the frame and hull, ensuring the correct position, shape and size of the replaced parts; and prevented termites and insects.

In 2023 and 2024, regular cleaning and anti-termite spraying were carried out to prevent termites and other insects from affecting the structure of the artifact. The hatch cover was reinforced, the bow and stern areas were repaired, the crane pillars for the artifact were reinforced, and the structural stability was enhanced.

“Because it is placed outdoors and is exposed to weather and storms, the hull must be repainted every year. We also consider the possibility of damage from natural factors, as this is a special historical wooden artifact, so we cannot rule out risks and impacts from many sides. The unit has worked with security agencies, equipped with a surveillance camera system, assigned guards and reminded if there is a risk from humans. The repair work is carried out by experts with extensive experience in handling ships, and must ensure the original preservation of the artifact.

The DNa 90152 TS fishing boat hull has been preserved periodically every year. However, this is a special artifact, permanently displayed and no longer serving fishing purposes. Therefore, the development and implementation of a comprehensive and in-depth preservation plan is extremely necessary and urgent to protect and preserve this valuable historical artifact in the long term," Mr. Le Tien Cong shared.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/bao-ve-chung-tich-lich-su-tai-nha-trung-bay-hoang-sa-152956.html