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We have received this write up from one of our Russian friends for which we are very grateful. However, some help with translation would be appreciated!


Laungzat (Рисовое речное судно)
Anatol. Wed Jan 12.01 2011
См.Местные суда и лодки.
В Бирме, на реке Иравади, до сих пор используется оригинальное судно для транспортировки риса и других сельскохозяйственных товаров. Лодка имеет своеобразную конструкцию с высокоподнятыми штевнями. Корпус длиной 20 и более метров представляет собой ствол вы-долбленного большого дерева. Полученный таким образом корпус для предупреждения от гниения пропитывают специальным смолосодержащим составом, полученным из сока несколь-ких растений.Затем высота борта наращивается несколькими поясьями из толстых, тщательно обра¬ботанных и пригнанных друг к другу досок. Пазы тщательно конопатятся специальным составом из толченых ракушек в смеси с упомянутым смолистым составом. Когда в Бирме оканчивается сезон дождей и хороший устойчивый ветер дует в течение несколь¬ких месяцев вдоль Иравади, эти лодки ус¬пешно передвигаются при помощи сложного парусного вооружения. На А-образной мачте, примерно на се¬редине ее высоты, крепится длинный гибкий рей с большим парусом, состо¬ящим из четырех полотнищ тонкой до¬мотканой парусины; еще один парус, изготовленный из двух таких же полот¬нищ, снастями такелажа со сложной проводкой крепится над ним. Экипаж судна — 22 человека. Грузовместимость — 70— 100 т.
Дыгало:Парусники мира.ч.1 стр.95
M.Duron:Encyclopedie des Bateaux.Page 321.
Бирма 8,0 annas SG?

Out grateful thanks to Mr Erhard Jung who has translated the Russian article as follows.

This local boat was in use on the Irrawaddy River in Burma (now Myanmar) she was the LAUNG-ZAT used for the transport of rice and other agricultural products on the Irrawaddy.
The craft has a unique construction with a high rising stem and stern.
The length of the hull is 20 metres or more.
The hull is made of workable wooden planks sawn from tree trunks. The planks used to build the LAUNG-ZAT were before use to prevent rot, soaked for some time in a special resinous substantive made from the juice of several plants.
The hull is build up from superior strong careful manufactured boards, the seams between the boards are caulked with a mixture of mussel-shell and the all mentioned resin-like juice of plants.
After the monsoon a steady wind which blows for months in the same direction as the Irrawaddy runs, which give the change for the LAUNG-ZAT to sail the Irrawaddy River upstream
On a bipod mast approximately half mast a long yard is fastened, which carried a large square sail, which consist of four cloths sewed together. She carries also a topsail which consists of two cloths, who with the ropes of the rigging wrapped around is attached.
Crew 22 persons.
Tonnage 70 – 100 ton.

Source: Segler der Welt, Vol. 1 page 95 by Dygalo. Encyclopedie des Bateaux page 321 by Maurice Duron.

From Aak to Zumbra a Dictionary of the World’s Watercraft gives:

LAUNG-ZAT or Rice boat: Old vessel of the Ahrewady (Irrawaddy) River; used especially between Prome and Mandalay to transport rice, taking advantage of the southerly winds to set enormous square sails; poled or pulled in calms; floated downstreams.
Old type seen at least until World War II.
Hull long and narrow; formed by soaking, steaming and shaping soft wood logs to spread the sides; planks raised the sides; planks raised the sides. Strong sheer to the characteristic high stern; carved on the older vessels. Bow much lower but swept up from the bottom to a broad forked top; generally a fine entrance.
Helmsman sat on a sheltered seat, sometimes elaborately carved at the after end of the house, working a quarter rudder on the port side.
Cabin extended from abaft the mast, the roof following the sheer.
Broad gangways, bordered each side at gunwale level.
Mast usually bipod and stepped in the forward third in a tabernacle. Tremendous standing yard supported by multiple halyards; ends turned upwards.
Sail bent to rings on the yard, often different colors on port and starboard sides. Older boats also set a pair of square topsails. Both pairs of sails brailed to the mast when furled.
Crewed by members of a family, all of whom lived aboard.
Reported length 15 – 23 metres.

Still in use today but now motorized.

From http://www.gutenberg.org/files/30064/30 ... 0064-h.htm
The native boats are most quaint in their designs, the most striking being the "laungzat." This is a vessel often of very large size, and capable of carrying a large amount of cargo. Its bows are sharply uptilted, the cut-water frequently rising clear of the water. The hull is beautifully modelled, and the stern, rising high above the water in a sort of tower, is often elaborately carved. Half its length is covered by a deck-house for the crew, on the roof of which a canopy of reeds or grasses gives shelter to the steersman, who, raised in this way, is better able to steer clear of the shoals and shallows which beset the stream, and which from the lower deck would probably not be seen. The rudder is a long paddle, also carved, which is slung in a loop over the stern, while a further decorative effect is often obtained by inverted soda-water bottles stuck upon poles along the sides.

Coming downstream the vessel is propelled by oars, usually twelve to sixteen, which the crew ply with a slow rhythmic swing. During the monsoons, when strong winds blow upstream, sails are used instead of oars. The mast is composed of two bamboos lashed together at the top, their lower ends being made fast to the gunwale. On this frame, from bamboo yards curved slightly upwards, is spread a curious combination of six or seven square sails, which, though only of use when running before the wind, enable the boat to travel at a great speed.

Burma

Translation by Zoya Dmitrieva

Tried to send information about the stamp on your recommendation, but my bad "English" would not let me find out in detail in this. Therefore, information on the Japanese ship had sent to the address administration, information about the Burmese ship sent to you. (Rice riverboat) 

In Burma, the Irrawaddy River, is still used by the original vessel 
for transporting rice and other agricultural commodities. The boat has a distinctive design with high altitude shtevnyami. Housing length 20 meters or more is a hollowed trunk of a large tree. 
Thus obtained to prevent the body from decay impregnated 
a special resin-containing composition derived from the sap of several 
plants. Then the height of the board built up a few belts of thick, carefully formed and Botha-fitting together boards. Grooves tschatelnokonopatyatsya special compound of crushed shells mixed with said resinous composition. When Burma's rainy season ends and a good steady wind blowing in a few months along the Irrawaddy, these boats have successfully moved through a complex rig. On A-shaped mast, about half of its height, attached a long flexible yard with a large sail, consisting of four panels thin homespun canvas; another sail, made of two such webs, ropes, rigging with complicated wiring is fixed on him. 
The ship's crew - 22 people. Cargo - 70 - 100