3o6 Memoirs Bcrnicc P. Bishop Museum 



surface was flat and almost rectangular, curvinij up into a transverse flange at the rear. .\t 

 the forward ti\ge of the lx)dy there was a narrow vertical flange, extending from its lower 

 edge to the deck, which served to make a close joint between the stern piece and the side 

 planks. Tlie edges of the deck were pierced with two vertical lashing holes which served for 

 the attachment of the ends of the side planks. The inner end of the stern piece was some- 

 times considerably thicker than that of the bow piece, raising the level of the stern deck. 

 When such was the case the height of the transverse flange at the rear end of the deck, really 

 a stern breakwater, was less than that of the bow breakwater. The up])er edges of the two 

 breakwaters were always at the same level. 



In the two oldest canoe models studied, a long oval projection with an almost circular 

 depression in its upper surface extended from the center of the stern breakwater over the bodv. 

 The only genuine stern piece seen did not show this feature and it is not found in the more 

 recent canoe models. The purpose of the projection was not learned. 



The stern piece narrowed rapidly to form the tail, a long flat projection, like a thick ])lank 

 with the edge up, which rose from the body of the stern piece at an angle of twenty to tliirty 

 degrees. It might be either straight or slightly curved, and was pierced near the outer end 

 and along its length with two or more holes, or slots, which served for the attachment of 

 various ornaments. 



The stern piece of one of the large canoes in Ilakaui referred to (p. 303), is said to 

 have been eighteen feet long and of the type just descrilied. 



In the second form of stern piece (I'l. xLii, C") the deck and body parts were of the 

 same form, but the rear end fitted down closeI\- upon the stern of the underbody, without over- 

 lapping or projecting beyond it. Informants insisted that all canoes had the high tail piece, 

 but were uncertain how it was attached to this form of stern. Fleurieu (23, pp. 131 to 132) 

 says : "The stern is made of two planks four inches higli, placed on edge and rising in the 

 form of an elongated and flattened S." Stewart, an unusually trustworthy observer says: 

 "From the keel on each side a light round timber extended, curving gradually upward like 

 the runners in the front of a sleigh, and terminating in a broad flattened blade, six to eight 

 feet above the water." (59, p. 244.) It seems probable, tlierefore, that in stern pieces of the 

 sort just described the tail was made in two pieces which were lashed one on either side of 

 the canoe. 



Side Pl.\xks 



The .side plank of a ?\Iarqnesaii built u]) canoe was a flat ])iece of wood of 

 the same thickness as the rim of the itnderbody and a foot to a foot and a half 

 in width (PL xlii, G). 



The upper edge was hewn into a narrow gunwale, the inside of wliich was flush with 

 the surface of the plank, while the outside projected as a narrow flange. The lower half to 

 two-thirds of the plank was cut away at either end in a long curve, so that while the length 

 of the upper edge was equal to the distance between the outer surfaces of the breakwaters 

 when the bow and stern pieces were in jxisition, the length of the lower edge was only slight- 

 ly greater than the distance between the inner ends of the tow and stern pieces. .\t the 

 points of contact of the side planks with the end pieces, the inner surface of the planks was 

 cut away to insure a tight joint, the cutting being deepest at the lower edge and becoming 

 gradually shallower toward the top. .\s a result of tliis. the upper part of the side plank was 

 forced out somewhat when it was in position so that the whole plank formed a slight angle 

 with the sides of the underbody. 



A series of triangular lashing holes, corresponding to those of the underbody in size 

 and position but with the base down, were pierced through the side planks a short distance 

 above its lower edge. .\d(litional holes for the outrigger lashings were made through the upper 

 edge immediately below the gunwale. There were usually three of these, the two outer holes 

 being placed a short distance within the points of contact of the side plank with the bow and 



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