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Art. I.—Description of the various Classes of Vessels constructed and employed by the Natives of the Coasts of Coromandel, Malabar, and the Island of Ceylon, for their Coasting Navigation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 March 2011

John Edye
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Extract

The following Paper having been referred by the Council of the Royal Asiatic Society to Sir John Malcolm, for his opinion as to its eligibility for insertion in the Printed Transactions of the Society, was returned by that distinguished and lamented individual, with a Letter of which a copy is subjoined, and which will be found to point out, in a very satisfactory manner, the practical value of Mr. Edye's communication.

Type
Original Communications
Information
Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society , Volume 1 , Issue 1 , January 1834 , pp. 1 - 14
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal Asiatic Society 0000

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References

* See Plate I.

† In an Account of the Ceylon Pearl Fisheries, by Captain Stuart, James, inserted in the Trans. R. A. S. Vol. III.Google Scholar Part 3. the author states, from personal observation, that the longest time which the divers can remain under water is from eighty-four to eighty-seven seconds.

* A model of one of these curious boats is in the Museum of the Royal Asiatic Society, to which it was presented by Mrs. Ferring. The Society is also in possession of a model of a boat having two outriggers, with balance-logs, used by the natives of some of the islands in the Eastern Archipelago: this model was received from H. J. Domis, Esq., F.M.R.A.S., His Netherlands' Majesty's Resident at Sourabaya, in Java. The natives of New Holland appear to use a similar contrivance, but of a more simple construction, as exhibited in a model in the Society's possession. The Rev. Richard Walter, in his account of Lord Anson's Voyage, gives a minute account, illustrated by an engraving, of what he terms “a flying proa,” used at the Ladrone Islands; which is the same, in most essential particulars, as the vessel described above by MrEdye, . (Vide Walter's Account of Anson's Voyage round the World. 4to. London, 1748. p. 339.)—Ed.Google Scholar

† See Plate III. No. 1.

‡ Anjeli—Artocarpus hirsuta.(?)

* See Plate III. No. 2.

† See Plate IV.

* See Plate V.

* The steersman gives time by a song, which is sung by all the boatmen; and according as its modulations are slow or quick, the oars are plied. These modulations are regulated by the waves, as they may be slow or rapid, in succession.

* See Plate VI.

† See Plate VII.

‡ See Plate VIII.

§ See Plate IX.

* Coir is the husk of the coco-nut (Cocus nucifera), from which rope is made.

† Copera is the inside or fruit of the nut, from which oil is expressed.

‡ Cajan is the leaf of the tree (Corypha umbraculifera), which is used for covering of houses; also for books, and various other purposes.

§ Jageri is a kind of sugar, which is made from the toddy or juice of the Palm.

∥ Arrac is a strong spirit, distilled from the toddy taken from the top of the Palm.

A race of Musalmáns, descendants of the first Arabian settlers on the shores of the peninsula; and who marrying the daughters of the country, obtained the name of Mápillai, or “sons-in-law,” corrupted by Europeans into the above term.—Ed.

** See Plate X.

* See Plate XI.

* This has never happened, but when in great numbers, and the brigs weak and unsupported.—(Note by Sir J. Malcolm.)

† See Plate XII.

* See Plate XIII.

* See Plate XIV.