822 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
All the canoes that came under our observation were dugouts of 
inferior make. Most of the harbor canoes are propelled by poles, 
some fitted with sails. In times past it is stated that sailing canoes of 
large dimensions were common in all parts of the island; but for many 
years there has been no occasion to build canoes larger than is required 
around the harbor and in the lagoons. In the rare visits to other 
islands passage is taken on some coasting vessel. 
A variation from 14 to 28 feet was noticed in the canoes on this part 
of the island. The 14-foot canoe is on an average 11 inches wide and 
10 to 12 inches deep; thickness at the gunwales 1 inch, increasing to 
+ inches at the bottom, and a considerable thickness of wood at the 
bow and stern to give strength; round-bottomed; straight fore and 
aft, and 2 to 3 inches wider at the turn of the bilge than at the gun- 
wale. The outrigger float is 10 feet long and attached to the frame 
6 feet from the side; crosspieces of frame 9 inches apart; stanchions 
connecting float to the frame 9 inches high. Two forms of outrigger 
frames are common, both shown in the sketch. The sailing canoes have 
thwarts, generally four, three on the forward side of the out-rigger 
frame and one on after side. Besides the thwarts there is a wide 
piece of board fitted across the gunwales 3 feet forward of center, 
through which the mast is stepped, the step consisting of a piece of 
wood with a hole mortised in it and nailed to the bottom of the canoe. 
Mat sails long since went out of use, and sails are now made of 
drilling, patterned after those of a cat-rigged boat—high peak and low 
boom; but unlike the cat-rigged boat these sails are unshipped. One 
canoe was seen under sail, and contrary to any other sailing canoe we 
had seen she was handled in the same manner as a sailboat, that is, she 
was put about on opposite tacks. This being the first time we had 
seen a canoe handled in such a manner, we were greatly interested. 
The wind was light and the sea smooth. When brought to leeward 
the outrigger buried itself. Had the wind been fresh, accompanied by 
a choppy sea, we could see no reason why the canoe should not capsize. 
This kind of sailing might be practiced in smooth weather, but in rough 
weather it is doubtful if it could be done without some danger. 
The floats of the outrigger of canoes used in the streams are consid- 
erably turned up at the forward end to prevent them from catching 
under logs, limbs, and twigs. The necessity of this was fully demon- 
strated in our trip down river, for in many cases the float ran up over 
branches and other obstacles protruding from the river bank, causing 
the whole structure to twist as if it were about to break. In coming 
down river it is quite impossible at times to avoid these obstacles, 
especially when making a sharp turn. In a number of instances the 
outrigger shot under projecting limbs and half-sunken trees, bringing 
the canoe up all standing crosswise the stream. No damage was done 
other than taking in water. Had the outrigger been put together 
with nails the whole thing would have been carried away. 
