TWAKOW

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aukepalmhof
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Joined: Thu Apr 02, 2009 1:28 am

TWAKOW

Post by aukepalmhof » Wed Aug 11, 2010 9:55 pm

The 70c depict the Twakow or sailing lighter, she was a locally built craft designed by the Chinese. It carried cargoes mainly from the Malay Peninsula. It was also used to convey cargoes from large ships at the anchorages to many warehouses on the banks of Singapore and Kallang rivers. The Twakows subsequently lost their masts and sails after bridges were built across the rivers. Also featured on the stamp design is the Sampan Kotak, a flat-bottomed boat mostly used for ferrying passengers.


The TWAKOW is used at the Malaysian and Singapore waters. It is a beamy Chinese lighter that combines features of a junk and a sampan. Developed in the mid-19th century. Flat bottom, curved keel; flaring sides; V-shaped bow transom and wide, raked stern transom; side planking extends beyond transom.
Moderate sheer; little freeboard when loaded. Decked at ends; cabin or arched mat roof aft; large central hold. Brightly painted oculi common.
Steered with a large, fenestrated rudder shipped to sternpost; long tiller.
Small foremast stepped against the bow, raking sharply forward mainmast stepped about a quarter in from the bow.

Originally set a single loose-footed dipping lugsail; later tanned, battened, Chinese lugsails of canvas.
Those without sails propelled by a long stern scull or towed.
Now mostly motorized.
Crew 2-3.
Reported lengths 15-18m; average length 17.5 m., beam 6.7m depth 2.3m.

Sampan Kotak: A Chinese craft used in sheltered waters on the south and west coast of the Malay Peninsula and the east coast of Sumatra. Used for fishing, carrying cargo and ferrying. Many variations within the type, but all relatively shallow-draft; strong raked “V” bow transoms marked sheer. At the stern the sides carry aft of the raked “V” transom to form high, pointed wings.
Bottom curved; false keel usually added. Oculi on the bows. May be partly decked, generally compartmented with fish lockers or holds. Largest boat lengths 7.6 – 9 meter, width 2.7 – 3 meter, depths 1.1 – 1.14 meter. Have a tall mast slightly forward of amidships; 2nd mast shorter and heavier, in bow; set battened lugsails of Chinese design. Crew 2-3.

Singapore 1955 4c sg40, scott ? . 1999 70c sg981, scott?

Source: Singapore Post web-site. Aak to Zumbra a Dictionary of World’s Watercraft
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