DRUA or NDRUA

[aukepalmhof]

The DRUA as given by the info leaflet of the Fiji Post:

The DRUA is, in all respects like the CAMAKAU sailing canoe, except that the outrigger is not a small simple log, but a large hollowed-out-log, almost as large as the hull. It is one of the fastest traditional sailing vessels in the world, and their heydays in the mid-nineteenth century, larger ones measured over 35 meters in length and could carry as many as 250 passengers. They were the pride of their owners, and were much sought after by Chiefs of not only Fiji but also Tonga and other Polynesian Islands.
There is only one still sailing in Fiji today.

Fiji 1977 4c sg545 scott380. 1998 87c sg1033, scott832. 1970 25c sg427, scott?, 1977 4c sg545, scott? 2018 40c sg?, scott?
Penrhyn Island 1981 15c sg187, scott?, 1984 5c sg339 scott?
Marshall Islands 2005 37c sg?, scott?
Grenada 2001 $6 sg?, scott?. She is in the background of the stamp.

More info on the DRUA you can find http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drua

[Anatol]

Oceangoing double canoe that was used the end of the 19th century, mainly for war.The larger craft were plank-built on a dugout base keel,the smaller used dugout hulls with deep washstakes;planks sewn on so that no stitching showed on the outside. Caulked with gum from the breadfruit tree.Hulls of unequal size; strengthened with shaped ribs; keels sometimes in 2 pieces, scarfed and kept rigid by side planks. Bow of larger hull formed vertical cutwater; stern end small, truncate,and slightly ovate; both ends of smaller hull slender and truncated.Decked at the ends. The 2 hulls connected by numerous crossbeams, made rigid by stout stringers.Platform laid across the beams; often had a deckhouse of plaited palm fronds; bailing hatch at each corner.Steered by large, heavy oars, as long as 6m,one fitted at each end of the larger hull. A lug-lateen mat sail was set to a forward-raking mast stepped in the main hull. On large canoes the mast mightbe 18m tall and the yard 24m long. Halyards ran through a hole near the top of the mast or a fork on the top.No blocks for the sheet, necessitating constant hauling. Тhe sail being reversible. The vessel was brought about on another tack by reversing all positions, fore to aft, a skillful maneuver in which the sail and yards, suspended by the mast as it pivoted in the center, were carried from end to end. The smaller hull was always kept to windward where its weight balanced the canoe. In calms, sculled through a hole in the platform.Crews ranged from 40-100; war types carried up to ca. 300.Reported lengths 12-37m; e.g., length 30m, platform length 13.8m, platform width 6.2m, draft 0,75m.
Marshall Islands 1998; 32c; SG967. Marshall Islands 1999; 33c; SG?.
Cook Islands 2013; 20c; SG?
Source : A Dictionary of the world’s Watercraft from Aak to Zumbra.
http://www.herbkanestudio.com/gallery/c ... a_and_mic/

[Arturo]

Drua or Ndrua

Penrhyn 1981, S.G.?, Scott:131.