e central compartment was thirteen feet
long. This was covered in at the sides and ends, leaving an opening for
them to sit and paddle, fifteen inches wide, and five feet long.
Underneath the covered parts provisions, furs, cooking utensils, &c.,
could be stowed away on both sides, leaving room for them to lie down at
full length in the centre.

The two end compartments were entirely covered in, but had openings over
which a cover was lashed, and could, if necessary, be used for holding
stores; but Godfrey did not intend to put anything here except
temporarily, as it was important that the canoe should be as buoyant and
light as possible. The frame of the boat was built of the tough and
elastic wood of which the Ostjaks made their bows. It was very light,
the ribs being bound to the longitudinal pieces by fine gut. It was
built, as nearly as Godfrey could lay them out, on the lines of an
English cruising canoe. The deck strips were similarly lashed, and when
the framework was completed Godfrey tested its strength by dropping it
three feet to the ground, rolling it over and over, and trying it in a
variety of ways.

When fully satisfied with it the work of putting on the cover commenced.
This was made of very soft and well-tanned reindeer hide, stretched as
tightly as possible, and then rubbed with seal oil. The keel of the boat
had been made very strong, as the rigidity of the whole craft depended
upon this. It had been made flat, and the skins had been taken over it.
When it was finished a false keel six inches in depth in the centre,
tapering away to nothing at the ends, was fixed underneath. This keel
was also made of tough wood, a little more than a quarter of an inch
thick, but widening suddenly to over an inch where it touched the boat,
in order that it might be securely fixed with screws to the keel inside.

The boat was provided with a light mast, which could be stepped or
unstepped at pleasure, and there were two stays of twisted leather, one
fastening to each side of the boat. An iron ring with a cord travelled
up and down the mast, the halliard running through a small block, as
Luka had been able to obtain a sheave at Turukhansk. The sail was a lug
made of sheeting, oiled, and the boat carried beside a triangular sail
of very much smaller dimensions and stouter cloth for heavy weather. She
also carried a small mizzen mast and sail. In rough weather the cockpit
could be completely covered with a light apron