'Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf. Vol I. Historical. Part II. J G Lorimer. 1915' [‎2320] (837/1262)

2320
perpendicular for the purpose of keeping the ponderous weight of
yard and sail clear in raising- and lowering^, and when working to wind
ward ; some, however, have been observed to be nearly perpendicular.
These masts are roughly trimmed single trees, obtained usually from the
Malabar Coast, sufficiently straight, naturally, for the purpose ; at the
upper end a sheave-hole is fitted, through which the pendant of the yard
halyards is rove. The yard of the forward mast is usually about the
same length as the vessel and has been known to be over 100 feet in
length ; it is frequently formed of several spars secured together, slightly
tapering towards the lower or forward end, but considerably so at the
peak or upper end. It is slung at about one-third of its length, and
is served round with coir matting where it takes the mast. The after
yard is similar, but considerably smaller, and is usually composed of
one spar. The sails are lateen shaped, with a very high peak, and are in
most cases excellently cut, and consequently set very flat when the sheets
are hauled aft.
The natives make their sails in the following manner. A suitably flat
piece of ground is chosen ; four pegs are driven in the ground at measured
points, forming the outline of the sail to be made; the boltrope is
stretched and spliced round these pegs ; and the sail cloth is cut to suit;
and sewn together and to the boltrope, which is of coir rope. The
natives appear to exercise great care in the cutting of their sails. They
do not, however, utilize the excellent plan adopted by the native of India
of running small coir lines through the seams, which are secured tautly
to the head and foot boltropes. The sail cloth is made of cotton of
various thicknesses and texture, suitable for the different sized craft.
The natives weave the canvas by hand ; it is made about 18" wide, and
is sold by weight. It is made at Lingeh, Khamir, Qishm, Dishkun,
Kung, Halileh, and Bahrain, also, possibly, at Kuwait and other places.
The tack of the principal or forward lateen sail is brought to the
stem-head generally through a fixed block there, but sometimes merely
secured ; the sheets lead aft in the usual manner. The halyards lead
amidship, near the forepart of the poopj and consist of a pendant and
treble block purchase which becomes the backstay when the yard
is hoisted and the sail set; a bousing-to rope is also rove round
yard and mast and hove taut when the yard is up. Generally speaking
two or three pairs of shrouds complete the rigging, which is of coir rope
throughout and very simple. The after sail is similarly fitted, but with
suitably sized gear. In the event of heavy weather this after sad is
furled ;and, the foremast being fitted with a large, medium, and
lateen sail, these are in turn used as the weather increases, the yard being
lowered and the smaller sail bent oa. When the severity of the weather
necessitates a smaller show of canvas, a small kind of staysail is hoisted
alone. When working to windward these vessels both tack and weaij
but generally prefer the latter in a breeze.
The vessels are constructed on blocks laid near the beach conveniently
close to deep water. They are launched by first placing them on their
bilges, with suitable blocks under; laying down well greased ways; anu
heaving them out, sideways to the water, by means of tackles secuie o
anchors conveniently placed in the water. 'J he natives have ceased
budding for some years the larger class of carsro-carrvinff craft formerly
seen m the Gulf. The reliable and quick despatch 'afforded by ^