This boat deserves the closest examination. It is very sophisticated and contradictory.
Notice first the frames, each of which is carved from a single piece of wood. Then study the planks and notice that the lugs on these planks are not seperate pieces of wood attached to the planks but are an integral part of the plank itself, which, starting life three times as thick, has been cut away all around to leave the lugs standing.
Although this method is extremely wasteful of wood, because of the amount that is chipped away to leave the lugs, it is surely more economical than using one tree to make one boat as is the case with dugout, for many planks can be cut from a single tree. But this supposes the ability either to saw or to split the tree into planks.
But when these boats evolved neither of these was possible. The Solomon Islanders had no saw and worse no tree that lent itself to easy splitting. So what appears at first sight to be a moderate improvement of wood economy turns out to be the reverse, one tree equates to one plank!
Another sophistication is the curving and bending of the planks themselves for none of them has been curved or bent. Each plank has been carved with its curves and bends. No steaming, twisting or bending has been used. Each plank, carved exactly to shape is held to its neighbour with stitching and the whole is held in shape with lashing to the frame.
For a boat of this sophistication and beauty to be built using stone tools only - for such was the case when the design evolved - shows an astonishing degree of craftsmanship and perseverence.
We are grateful to Dr David Hilton of Exeter for bringing us this boat which comes from Isobel Island, one of the Solomon Islands archipelago where it was used for fishing and generally getting about. It is known locally as a Tora or Vura.
There are currently no comments on this boat. Be the first to comment on this boat by filling in the form below.
Unknown
Fishing & Transport
Canoe
1940's
Solomon Islands
Isobel Island
Length
15 ft 2 in
Width
2 ft 2 in
