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HISTORY OF MARINE ARCHITECTURE.

rounding nations. The vessels, however, of these islands, are, in their construe-tion and rigging, sufficiently distinct from those of the Chinese to deserve a sepa-rate description.

The Japanese build such are intended to go to sea of fir or cedar, both ofwhich woods are produced in abundance in that country. The construction of thosebelonging to merchants is varied according to the purposes for which they are de-signed, and the length of the voyage they are intended to prosecute. Thepleasure-boats, which form a totally distinct, but very numerous class, exhibit astill greater variety : for the shape and magnitude of the latter depend on thetaste, the w ealth, and the dignity of their owners. They are generally contrived foroars. The first cabin is low, but over this is erected another, which is lofty, andextremely handsome both in its dimensions, and its embellishments; it has openwindows, and is capable of being divided into several chambers by means ofscreens. The upper, and, indeed, various other parts of the galley, are elegantlydecorated with streamers and other ornaments, and, in its general description, re-sembles that noticed by Sir George Staunton, at Cochin China *.

The vessel's designed for commerce are generally one hundred and twenty feetin length, and twenty in breadth ; contrived to move as well by means of their sailsas their oars. They taper to a point from the midship bend to the prow, and thetw’o ends of the keel rise considerably out of the water. The body of the vessel isnot convex, as it is in all European ships; but the part which is below water-markruns almost in a strait line toward the keel. The stern is broad and flat, having alarge opening in its centre, which reaches nearly to the bottom of the hold, and dis-covers the whole interior of the vessel. The deck, which rises a little toward thestern, is widest along the sides, which are flat and undivided. It is formed ofloose planks of deal, which are not fixed, or even fastened together; and, whenthe vessel is fully laden, is very little above the surface of the water. A species ofcabin, of more than a man’s height, covers almost the whole deck ; only a smallspace at the stern being left open for the stowage of the anchors and tackle. Thiscabin projects nearly two feet beyond each side of the vessel, and is full of windows,

* “ At Cochin-China the embassy was visited fey a chief, who came in a large decked galley, of alight and sharp construction, formed for quick sailing. The rowers, who were very numerous,rowed in an erect posture, and pushed the oars from them , making short and frequent strokes. Astate cabin was erected on the middle of the deck, painted in lively colours ; each end of the galleywas decorated with streamers of different colours and figures. The state cabin was, on the outside,surrounded with spears and various ensigns of authority.” Chinese Embassy, vol. I. p. 330 .

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