C8 • HULOES 



board about nine inches wide, and bound with iron 

 at the outer end to prevent splitting. The inner end 

 is narrower, and is joined to tlie loom by iron bolts and 

 hoops. A collar which has a loose hole for the pin to 

 work in is lashed on. As there were two spars there 

 was room for four liuloes ; but, unfortunately, on start- 

 ing I was only provided with two, and later on one of 

 these breaking when in a dangerous place, put the 

 boat in a perilous position. All boats should be pro- 

 vided with at least two spare huloes. 



Just before the cabin the mast was stepped, and on 

 this there was fitted to set, when the wind was favourable, 

 a Chinese lug sail made of native cotton canvas. All 

 the fore part was decked in flush with the gunwale and 

 had two hatchways fitted. This fore hold was nearly 

 four feet deep, and was most useful for stowing cables 

 and stores in. In wet or cold weather also the crew 

 used to go down and sleep there, but in fine weather 

 they had a light bamboo frame to cover over the fore 

 part of the boat, and mats being thrown over this, it 

 formed quite sufiicient shelter. Across the bows of the 

 boat there was built a strong beam of hard wood 

 hooped with iron, and fitted with two thole-pins in the 

 centre for the bow sweep. 



The Chinese builders in choosing a piece of wood 

 for this beam always give the preference to one that 



