American Samoa (not certain), Samoa (not certain) / United States (not certain), Polynesia
Collection Date:
1903
Notes:
FROM CARD: "FULL SIZE, WITH OUTRIGGERS: WHICH ARE 3 FT. L., WITH BALANCE LOG 7 FT. 8 IN. L.; PADDLE 4 FT. L., OVAL BLADE 17 IN. L. HAS BEEN CALLED A CHILD'S BOAT BECAUSE OF THE SIZE?"
A letter from J. L. Jayne dated May 17, 1903, filed in the accession file, describes the outrigger canoe, its construction and use, in some detail and indicates it was built especially for his young son John, but is large enough for an adult to use. Jayne indicates that the name "Sione", stencilled on both sides of the bow, is the Samoan version of John, the name of his son. He also indicates that the bamboo lashed at the bow is to repair a split in the wood. Accession file contains following measurements for the canoe: Dugout canoe, 12 feet long, 12 inches wide; 10 inches deep; outriggers 3 feet long; balance log 7 feet 8 inches long; paddle 4 feet long, oval shaped blade 17 inches long.
Per Regina Meredith of American Samoa, siapo (tapa) maker, artist, and teacher, 7-19-2013, this canoe is one an adult could use. Adze marks from construction are visible inside the hull.
See Accession papers for description by the collector. From catalog card: 'Full size, with outriggers: which are 3 ft. l, with balance log 7 ft. 8 in. l.; paddle 4 ft. l.' Location is given as 'Samoa' and is likely to be American Samoa, as the western half was a German territory in 1905.
