Superior

They Were Superior

The double canoes of Fiji were superior to any of those of other Pacific Islands, according to Charles Wilkes, commander of the United States Exploring Expedition to the South Seas be tween 1838 and 1842.

In the Lau Group, the most common size of a double canoe at the time the expedition called was 70 ft for the larger and 55 ft for the smaller. They had a 35 ft mast. These canoes would conveniently carry 40 or 50 men and would make long voyages to Rotuma and the Samoan Islands as well as Tonga.

They were easily overturned yet were so well managed that they could carry sail in a heavy blow.

The weight of the great sail usually caused a great strain on the canoes and at times they leaked very badly.