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[Page 455]

Manners & Customs of the S. Sea Islands

which is done either by fastening two together side by side as has been before describd in which case one supports the other & they become the most steady Vehcle that can be imagind or if one of them is to go out single a log of wood fasned to two poles which are tied across the boat serves to balance it tolerably tho not so securely but that I have seen the Indians overset them very often this is upon the same principles as that usd in the flying Proa of the Ladrone Isles, describd in Ld Ansons voyage where it is calld an outrigger indeed the vessels themselves enough resemble the flying Proa itself to make it appear at least possible that either that is a very artfull improvement of these or these a very aukward imitation of that

These boats are paddled along with large paddles which have a long handle & a flat blade resembling more than any thing I recollect a Bakers peel of these generaly every one in the boat has one except those who set under the houses & with these they push themselves on pretty fast through the water They are so leaky however that one person at least is employd pretty almost constantly in throwing

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