Fishing vessel; Oruwa

Scale: unknown. A model of an Oruwa or outrigger canoe made entirely in wood with organic material fittings. The hull is carved from a single piece of wood which has been dugout, with two washstrakes sewn and caulked with fibre. There are two rectangular planks sewn to the strakes at the bow and stern, forming a deeply raked bow and stern. Two outrigger booms are rigged to the port side and are boomerang shaped. The outrigger float is pointed at both ends and carved from a single piece of wood. The single mast is positioned forward of the amidships, pointing towards the bow at an angle of about 60 degrees. The single dipping lug sail is made from a single piece of cream coloured cotton, sewn on all four sides. There are four rectangular platforms extending from the strakes to each of the port and starboard sides. Also rigged are four irregular shaped booms/poles, three on the port side and one starboard. The model is equipped with two composite paddles with triangular shaped blades.

Object Details

ID: AAE0001
Collection: Ship models; World Cultures
Type: Full hull model; Sails set; Rigged model
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Unknown
Date made: Before 1958
People: Science Museum Group
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall (rigged): 410 mm x 1021 mm x 420 mm
Parts: Fishing vessel; Oruwa