Story: Canoe navigation
Although different sails were used on ndrua, most were an upright V-shape. This allowed a large area of sail to be rigged on a low mast that was unlikely to snap. Masts were lashed together and rigged with ropes made from plaited coconut fibre and sea hibiscus bark. Calling these vessels canoes is almost a misnomer, as some Fijian ndruas were over 35 metres long. Polynesians told early Europeans that journeys of up to 20 days were possible, and with a travel rate of 150–250 km per day, it is easy to imagine how such vessels made Pacific migration possible.
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Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: 1/2-104168-F
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