58
3 The Oceanographic Context
three points of contact with the water (through the hull and two outrigger beams)
would allow for good transference of the propulsive power of the current to the
canoe on the outward journey with two balanced outrigger beams to give it optimal stability in a fast current. With reduced drag, in comparison with a sailing raft,
because of the lightness of the double-outrigger and its reduced area of water contact, the return journey without the support of a current could be made under wind
power.
Haddon and Hornell [28] claimed that the double-outrigger was replaced in the
Pacific because the single-outrigger was more seaworthy. This remark ignores the
differential advantages of single- and double-outriggers in different ocean conditions. The double-outrigger has better balance and seaworthiness, a speed advantage
in following fast currents and an advantage over a sailing raft in a situation where
it cannot call on the propulsive force of a current. But the single-outrigger has the
advantage when using wind power as the primary means of propulsion. Having
only two points of contact with the water it has less drag, and so a more immediate
response to the power of the wind. When wind is the primary means of propulsion, it
is possible to remove a second outrigger and still preserve adequate stability, though
such a craft is in fact less stable and so inherently less seaworthy than a doubleoutrigger. Mariners would have to continually exercise care to ensure their weights
were evenly distributed, given that a heavy hull and one light outrigger beam are
unevenly balanced.
The universal use of double-outriggers in the southern Indian Ocean over the last
3,000 years is only to be expected when currents conveniently provide a continuous return journey loop from one side of the ocean to the other. The near-universal
use of single-outriggers in the southern Pacific Ocean is also predictable, for in the
southern Pacific currents and winds are contrary for west–east sailing and often light
and unpredictable. There wind power is the obvious option and the single-outrigger
the obvious choice.
That double-outriggers emerged in Wallacea after the last Ice Age flood amongst
mariners operating in the WPWP region and that they have survived till today not
only in the Indian Ocean and on the east coast of Africa but in Island Southeast Asia
suggests the importance of this technological development for long-distance as well
as inter-island trading. The development of the double-outrigger meant the development of a flexible craft with great stability, able to handle and exploit the power of
fast ocean currents but also able to use wind power at need. We shall argue that its
development was of key importance not just for the pioneering of oceanic voyaging
within the WPW but also, considerably later, for the Spice Islanders’ exploration
and colonization of the Pacific and southern Indian Oceans using the strategy of
following major fast warm currents flowing out of the WPWP.
3.10 The Early Settlement of Micronesia
We have sketched the oceanographic background to the Spice Islanders’ long maritime history in their own region and to their evolution from local to regional
to long-distance trading. We conclude by considering evidence for a very early
3 The Oceanographic Context
three points of contact with the water (through the hull and two outrigger beams)
would allow for good transference of the propulsive power of the current to the
canoe on the outward journey with two balanced outrigger beams to give it optimal stability in a fast current. With reduced drag, in comparison with a sailing raft,
because of the lightness of the double-outrigger and its reduced area of water contact, the return journey without the support of a current could be made under wind
power.
Haddon and Hornell [28] claimed that the double-outrigger was replaced in the
Pacific because the single-outrigger was more seaworthy. This remark ignores the
differential advantages of single- and double-outriggers in different ocean conditions. The double-outrigger has better balance and seaworthiness, a speed advantage
in following fast currents and an advantage over a sailing raft in a situation where
it cannot call on the propulsive force of a current. But the single-outrigger has the
advantage when using wind power as the primary means of propulsion. Having
only two points of contact with the water it has less drag, and so a more immediate
response to the power of the wind. When wind is the primary means of propulsion, it
is possible to remove a second outrigger and still preserve adequate stability, though
such a craft is in fact less stable and so inherently less seaworthy than a doubleoutrigger. Mariners would have to continually exercise care to ensure their weights
were evenly distributed, given that a heavy hull and one light outrigger beam are
unevenly balanced.
The universal use of double-outriggers in the southern Indian Ocean over the last
3,000 years is only to be expected when currents conveniently provide a continuous return journey loop from one side of the ocean to the other. The near-universal
use of single-outriggers in the southern Pacific Ocean is also predictable, for in the
southern Pacific currents and winds are contrary for west–east sailing and often light
and unpredictable. There wind power is the obvious option and the single-outrigger
the obvious choice.
That double-outriggers emerged in Wallacea after the last Ice Age flood amongst
mariners operating in the WPWP region and that they have survived till today not
only in the Indian Ocean and on the east coast of Africa but in Island Southeast Asia
suggests the importance of this technological development for long-distance as well
as inter-island trading. The development of the double-outrigger meant the development of a flexible craft with great stability, able to handle and exploit the power of
fast ocean currents but also able to use wind power at need. We shall argue that its
development was of key importance not just for the pioneering of oceanic voyaging
within the WPW but also, considerably later, for the Spice Islanders’ exploration
and colonization of the Pacific and southern Indian Oceans using the strategy of
following major fast warm currents flowing out of the WPWP.
3.10 The Early Settlement of Micronesia
We have sketched the oceanographic background to the Spice Islanders’ long maritime history in their own region and to their evolution from local to regional
to long-distance trading. We conclude by considering evidence for a very early