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All Sails to the Wind!
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All Sails to the Wind!
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Indian Ocean Trade: Traditional Arab Sailboats
About 3000 years ago, in the kingdom of ancient Babylon, the Arabs used boats covered with sheeps’ hides for fishing. As they became more skilled in manufacturing boats, they were able to build wooden ships reaching 30–40 m in length, on which a distinctive triangular sail, attached to a mast, appeared as well. The name of this type of ship was dhow.
Uses
Originally, the dhow was used by fishermen and pearl fishers, but later it evolved into a large trading vessel, capable of transporting large amounts of cargo, mainly fruits, across the Indian Ocean.
The hull
The hull of the Arab dhow is long and slim, often richly decorated; its prow is curved forward and upward, and there are windows at the stern.
Settee sail
Settee sails were first mentioned in a Greek manuscript written about 886 AD. By this time they had become widespread in the Red Sea region. Later, in the age of the great geographical discoveries, it appeared on European ships as well, and played an important role in helping explorers navigate the high seas successfully.
Indian Ocean trade
In the region of the Persian Gulf, from October until December the direction
of the prevailing wind is northeasterly, which allowed Arab seamen to set
sail towards East Africa and India, carrying cargo to trade with. On the other hand, between March and July the prevailing wind direction is southwesterly, which made it convenient
for sailors to return home with imported goods. That is how the so-called triangular trade developed in the northern Indian Ocean.
Bow
The bow protects the ship against the forces of nature, for example the power of the waves, but it can even save the ship in the event of a collision with another vessel.
Stone
A heavy stone, tied to a long rope, is often found at the bow
of the dhow. Pearl fishers used it to pull themselves down to the oyster beds on the sea floor.
waterline
cannon
