The Deck Sloped Considerably
Downward To The Bows, Which Are Thus The Lowest Part Of The Ship.
There Were Two
Large rudders, but instead of being planed astern
they were hung on the quarters from strong cross beams, which
projected
Out two or three feet on each side, and to which extent
the deck overhung the sides of the vessel amidships. The rudders
were not hinged but hung with slings of rattan, the friction of
which keeps them in any position in which they are placed, and
thus perhaps facilitates steering. The tillers were not on deck,
but entered the vessel through two square openings into a lower
or half deck about three feet high, in which sit the two
steersmen. In the after part of the vessel was a low poop, about
three and a half feet high, which forms the captain's cabin, its
furniture consisting of boxes, mats, and pillows. In front of the
poop and mainmast was a little thatched house on deck, about four
feet high to the ridge; and one compartment of this, forming a
cabin six and a half feet long by five and a half wide, I had all
to myself, and it was the snuggest and most comfortable little
place I ever enjoyed at sea. It was entered by a low sliding door
of thatch on one side, and had a very small window on the other.
The floor was of split bamboo, pleasantly elastic, raised six
inches above the deck, so as to be quite dry.
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