The oars or paddles that are fifed with thefe boats, have U
long handle and a flat blade, not unlike a baker’s peel. Of
thefe every perfon in the boat has one, except thofe 'that fit
under the awning; and they pufli her forward with them at a
good rate. Thefe boats, however, admit fomuch water at'the
feams, that one perfon at leaft is continually employed in
throwing it out. The only thing in which they excel is
landing, and puffing off from the fliore in a furf; by their
great length and high ftems they land dry, when Otir boats
could Scarcely land at a ll; and have the fame advantages in
putting off by the height of the head.
The Ivahahs are the only boats that are ufed by the inhabitants
of dtaheite; but we faw fevCral Pahies that came
from other iflands. Of one o f thefe I fliall give the exaft
dimenfions from a careful admeafurement, and then particularly
deferibe the manner in which they are built.
Feet. Inches.
Extreme length from ftemto ftern, not reckoning
the bending up o f either - - -
Breadth in the clear o f the top forward
Breadth in themidfliips ’' "
Breadth aft - - '- * - -
In the bilge forward - - - - ' -
in the midfliips - - - - - -
A ft - - - ’ -
Depth in the midfliips - - -
Height from the ground on which flie flood
Height o f her head from the ground, without the
figure - - - - - - -
Height of the figure - - - ■
Height of the ftern from the ground -
Height of the figure -
51
i
1o
8
2 3
3
4
o
g
2
O
26
3
8
n
94
n
4
II
"9o
To
To illuftrate my de.fcription of the manner in which thefe
veffels are built, it will be neceliary
to refer to the figure; in which a a
is the lirft feam, bb the fecond, and
c c the third.
The firft ftage or keel, under a ar is made of a tree hollowed
out like a trough; for which,the longeft trees are
chofen that can be got, fo that there are never more than
three in the whole length: the next ftage, under b A is formed
of ftrait plank, about four feet long, fifteen inches broad,
and two inches thick: the third ftage, under cc, is, like the
bottom made of trunks, hollowed into its bilging form ; the
laft is alfo cut out of trunks, fo that the moulding is of ope
piece with the upright. To form thefe parts Separately, without
faw, plane,, duffel, or any other iron tool, may well lie
thought no eafy ta lk ; but. thegreat difficulty is to join them
together.
When all the parts are prepared, the keel is laid upon
blocks, and the planks being fupported by ftanchions, are
fewed or clamped together with ftrong thongs of plaiting,
which are paffed feveral times through holes that are
. bored with a gouge or auger of bone, that has been deferibed
already , and the nicety with which this is done, may be inferred
from their being fufficiently.water-tight, for ufe without
caulking, As the plaiting foon, rots in the water, it is
renewed at leaft once a-year; .in order to,which, the veffel is.
taken entirely to pieces. The head and ftern are rude with,
refpedt to the defign;. but very neatly finiihed, and poliflied
to the higheft degree.
Thefe Pahies are kept with great care, in a kind of houfe
built on purpofe for their reception ;. the houfes are formed,
of poles fet upright in. the ground, the tops of which.
are: