One of the first things Desmond learned was that the Indian mode of ship
building differed fundamentally from the European. The timbers were
fitted in after the planks had been put together; and the planks were put
together, not with flat edges, but rabbited, the parts made to correspond
with the greatest exactness. When a plank was set up, its edge was
smeared with red lead, and the edge of the plank to come next was pressed
down upon it, the inequalities in its surface being thus shown by the
marks of the lead. These being smoothed away, if necessary several times,
and the edges fitting exactly, they were rubbed with da'ma, a sort of
glue that in course of time became as hard as iron. The planks were then
firmly riveted with pegs, and by the time the work was finished the seams
were scarcely visible, the whole forming apparently one entire piece of
timber.
The process of building a gallivat was thus a very long and tedious one;
but the vessel when completed was so strong that it could go to sea for
many years before the hull needed repair.
Desmond learned all this only gradually; but from the first day, making a
virtue of necessity, he threw himself into the work and became very
useful, winning the good opinion of the officers of the dockyard. His
feelings were frequently wrung by the brutal punishments inflicted by the
overseer upon defaulters. The man had absolute power over the workers. He
could flog them, starve them, even cut off their ears and noses.
Pages:
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154