810 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
aback or the boom getting adrift, either of which might cause consid- 
erable disaster in a stiff breeze. Should the sail get aback in a strong 
wind, the mast would go over the weather side, there being no shrouds 
or stays on the lee side to prevent it. 
As previously stated, an outrigger canoe in beating to windward 
does not come in stays and go about on the other tack, and it may be 
interesting to some to know how windward work is performed with 
the wind always blowing against the same side. This is done by the 
bow and stern changing places, as it were, in such a manner to permit 
first one end and then the other to point to windward. When a tack 
is to be made, or we might say a hitch made to windward, the sheet 
is eased off and the tack lashing on the lower end of the gaff removed, 
at the same time slacking up the forward masthead stay and hauling 
taut on the after one, until the masthead falls forward on a line with 
the stern. The tack of the sail is now swung aft, always on the lee 
side of the mast. As the tack is carried aft the bow swings off, and 
what was formerly the stern now becomes the bow, which now points 
to windward. The tack is lashed to the pin at the bow, the sheet 
hauled in, and the canoe is on her course, having made little or no 
leeway, the time occupied being not over half a minute. While a 
‘anoe can not be put about as quickly as a sailboat, yet the quickness 
with which everything is performed is remarkable considering the 
number of things to be done. 
The steering is done with a paddle 10 feet long; near the upper part 
of the blade is attached a lanvard, half the length of the canoe, the end 
of which is made fast under the lee platform. When all is ready for 
tacking, the man steering drops the paddle overboard and stands by to 
receive the tack of the sail as it is swung to him. Having secured it 
in position he hauls taut the mast stay, sees that the spilling line is 
clear and ready for use, and then takes the part of a lookout. In the 
meantime the other man has hauled in the sheet, made it fast, picked 
up the paddle which was floated aft, and becomes steersman. Thus 
they alternate in positions. 
At times considerable water is taken in, and as the canoe is deep it 
necessitates a long-handled bailer, which is similar to the one noticed 
at Nukutavake, with a stick lashed to the handle for lowering it into 
the bottom of the canoe and hauling the water up. 
Considerable care is taken of the sails, as they last but a short time 
if not protected from the weather. When the canoe is not under way 
the sail is lowered, neatly furled, and covered with mats, the mats 
made to fit the sail. When a shower comes up while making a passage, 
the sail is lowered and furled and the canoe is allowed to drift until 
the rain passes over. 
On the morning of January 14 the A/batross steamed out of the 
lagoon through the pass on the south and west side of the island. The 
