68 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 the 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 huloes; 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 sufficient 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 
