THE ARAB DHOW.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2605, 23 March 1889, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE ARAB DHOW.

If e. pear be sharpen id at the thin end and then cut in half longitudinally, two models will have been made resembling in all essential respects the ordinary slave dhow. From their form it is evident that the bow must sink deeply into the water, while the stern floats lightly upon it. In this they differ from the universal practice of European ship-building, but it has yet to be proved that they are, in principle, wrongly constructed. They are seldom wholly decked, and by far the greater number are not decked at all. Cross beams at intervals strengthen the structure and preserve the shape, and over these strips of bamboo afford a footing for the crew. Commonly, especially in the larger classes of dhows—the dhows range from mere boats up to 350 tons—a light superstructure is added at the stern, and this serves as a dwelling for the captain or owner, the upper classes of passengers, if any, and sometimes for the whole crew. The dhows often carry no more than one mast. This is a rough heavy spar, and generally leans considerably towards the bow of of the vessel. This, again is in opposition to western notions. If there is a second mast it is a smaller copy of the other, and is placed near the stern. The single eale is fastened to a very long yard, and is of a strong cotton canvas. The sail appears to be of preposterous size for the vessel, and there is no arrangement for reefing it in bad weather; but every sca-goiug dhow carries two sails, one large one for daylight and for fine weather, and a email one for night and foul weather. The ropes are rough coir, made of cocoa-nut fibre. They would tax the powers of our fastest yachts in light winds. The most speedy man-of-war under steam and sail has her hands full when she gives chase to them in a breeze. They arc most uncomfortable boats to be in. They tumble about furiously in a sea way, but the Arab and the negro do not seem to mind that. The fittings are of the rudest; nothing seems to be finished. The ballast is usually sand and shingle, and cargo, ballast, food and raiment form a conglomerate mass at the bottom of the vessel, not unlike the debris of a dust heap.— Capt, Colomb,