Yacht Built In Haapai

Skill of Mission-Directed Native Craftsmen

A NOTABLE feat in ship-building was concluded a few months ago, in Haapai, Tongan Islands, and is illustrated by the photography on this page.

The Catholic missionary at Haapai, Father E. Tremblay, and his native helpers, wanted a boat. Times are bad, and they could not afford to buy one. So they decided to build a small yacht.

Father Tremblay supervised the job, and native craftsmen carried it out, without any other European assistance.

The “Fetuu Moana” (Star of the Deep) is built of kauri and native timbers. She is 31 feet long, with a beam of 9 feet 10 inches, and she draws 5 feet of water.

She is powered with a full Diesel 20-30 h.p. engine and her speed under power alone is 7 knots.

The little vessel has already done some thousands of miles since she was launch ed, and has proved herself very sea worthy. The natives of Haapai are very proud of her, since she provides a con vincing example of Tongan enterprise, skill, and industry.

The new boat, ready for launching and some of the builders. Note the workshop of coconut thatch, in the background.

Gaily beflagged, and carrying 48 passengers, the new boat leaves on a trial trip around Lifuka Harbour.