No. 2 (1920) OUTRIGGER CANOES OF INDONESIA 



83 



IX 



t* 



The cargo platforms were made by laying several poles longi- 

 tudinally over the three booms ; on these 

 a cargo of atap thatch mats was stowed. 

 Stem and stern were vertical and without 

 sheer. No ornament anywhere except for 

 the beading below the gunwale. 



The third kind of outrigger canoes in 

 use in Minahasa is a strictly localized 

 design not seen far beyond the strict 

 territorial limits of the district. It is 

 extremely specialized and may be termed 

 the Minahasa type (PI. IX, fig. XVII). It is 

 of great importance in its own locality, 

 hundreds being in constant and universal 

 use in all fishing operations where speed is 

 necessary and where roominess and weight- 

 carrying are not requisites. 



Description is difficult on account of the 

 extraordinary complex character of the 

 many details. The following account if 

 taken in conjunction with the diagrams 

 furnished (Figs. 44 and 45) will, it is hoped, 

 convey comprehension of the characteristic 

 features of greater importance. Two booms 

 are employed. The fore one is rectangular 

 in section, decreasing slightly in thick- 

 ness towards the extremities. By means 

 described later, the ends are bent down in a 

 graceful curve on each side so that the 

 whole forms a bow-shaped arc ; the extre- 

 mities are connected directly by lashing 

 with a float on each side. In addition there 

 are two horizontal tough braces or stringers 

 provided with a view to keep the curve of 

 the boom in correct set, counteracting the 

 tendency to straighten through the thrust 

 from below set up by the force of the sea 

 upon the float, particularly when pitching. 

 The longer of these added pieces is nearly the same length as the 

 boom to which it is lashed amidships. It is straight and at each 

 6 





V 



Fig, 44. — A Minahasa 

 fishing canoe ; side view. 



