50 



MADRAS FISHERIES BULLETIN 



VOL. XII, 



In the larger canoes a fairly roomy cabin is provided ; this is of 

 great use to the crew both when engaged in fishing or when away 

 on prolonged trading trips. The double outrigger frame permits of 

 a fairly large structure as the booms enable it to be built outboard 

 on each side to a distance of a couple of feet. Part of the outboard 

 cabin space is utilized for a sand-box fireplace, so the crew and 

 their passengers enjoy a fair amount of comfort. Water is carried 

 in long bamboo joints set upright in the cabin. 



The outrigger design is particularly useful when cabin 

 accommodation is necessary to fishermen who cannot afford large 

 plank-built boats, for the employment of this device permits the 

 owner to use a comparatively small and inexpensive hull to what 

 would otherwise be necessary. This is the real raison d'etre of the 

 continuance of the double outrigger design in waters where the 

 superior handiness of the boat type must be well known. 



Fig 17. Fig. iS. 



Two carved paddles, Waigou. 



Tripod masts and mat sails are the usual rig, but cotton sails 

 are gradually becoming more frequent. The paddles used are of 

 heavy ironwood and in a few cases most beautifully ornamented 

 with carving. In the finest one seen at Sorong the upper end of 

 the shaft was elaborately carved, while the blade bore a finely 

 worked representation of a snake, the body disposed in elegant 

 curves, the eyes picked out in ivory (Fig. 17). In another case 

 the carving on the blade was a very chaste line pattern, the lines 



