Given by Navicula that a “baurua” is showed on the stamp, a large interisland voyage canoe used in the Kiribati Group and the central Pacific Islands. They were used for exploration, migration and trade voyages; they were capable to stay at sea for weeks.
This canoe is now extinct except for some replicas.
Lack of large timber on the islands of Micronesia was a problem, and to build a “baurua” had to wait till a large log had washed ashore.
They sailed with the outrigger facing the oncoming wind, so that the outrigger did not drag and slow the craft.
Double ended hull, planked up from a sharp keel piece that curved up at the ends to the top strake.
Keel convex longitudinally; lee side of the hull flattened, weather side rounded.
A long float held in position by booms by forked-stick connections.
Opposite the outrigger hanging over the water was the lee and a small mat cabin for the crew.
When used for a long voyage a small matt cabin was erected on the outrigger decking.
Carried one large triangular (sometimes two) sails; apex tacked to the forward end of the boat. Forward racking mast set into a step on the central boom, close inboard; multi-holed in order to adjust position.
Mast shored by brace from the boom, stayed fore-and-aft and from the end of the boom.
The Kosraean canoe was painted with red ochre and polished to a brilliant finish a common method used to color the watercraft of the region.
Micronesia 1993 29c sg315, scott174.
Gilbert and Ellice Islands 1974 10c sg228, scott?
Source: Navicula; Aak to Zumbra, a dictionary of the World’s Watercraft.