War Canoe. This craft is the massive war canoe of Tahitian King Pomare 1, taken from a painting made during Capt. Cook's voyages. In 1774, Capt. Cook saw 160 of these war canoes, plus 170 smaller double canoes, carrying 7,760 men to a local naval battle. In peaceful times the local royalty reviewed pageants from the decks of the huge vessel.
Sea Breezes November 1973 by Ernest Argyle.
Detail from Cook Islands Post Office.
Cook Islands SG440