Page 298
An.1686
Proes, a sort of Indian Boats.
thick and unwholsome, which occasions Fevers: but the rains are not violent nor lasting. For the Island lyes so far Westerly from the Philippine Islands, or any other Land, that the Westerly winds do sel- dom blow so far; and when they do, they do not last long: but the Easterly Winds do constantly blow here, which are dry and healthy; and this Island is found to be very healthful, as we were informed while we lay by it. The natives are ve- ry ingenious beyond any people, in making Boats, or Proes, as they are called in the East Indies, and therein they take great delight. These are built sharp at both ends; the bottom is of one piece, made like the bottom of a little Canoa, very neatly dug, and left of a good substance. This bottom part is instead of a Keel. It is about 26 or 28 foot long; the under part of this Keel is made round, but inclining to a wedge and smooth; and the upper part is almost flat, having a very gentle hollow, and is about a foot broad: From hence both sides of the Boat are carried up, to about 5 foot high with nar- row plank, not above 4 or 5 inches broad, and each end of the Boat turns up round, very pretti- ly. But what is very singular, one side of the Boat is made perpendicular, like a Wall, while the o- ther side is rounding, made as other Vessels are, with a pretty full belly. Just in the middle it is about 4 or 5 foot broad aloft, or more according to the length of the Boat. The Mast stands exactly in the middle, with a long Yard that peeks up and down like a Mizen-yard. One end of it reacheth down to the end or head of the Boat, where it is placed in a notch, that is made there purposely to receive it, and keep it fast. The other end hangs over the stern: To this yard the sail is fastened. At the foot of the sail there is another small yard, to keep the sail out square, and to roll up the sail on when it blows hard: for it serves instead of a reef