GAL
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 8:46 pm
The pirogue shown on this stamp with the inscription “pirogue goreenne sous voile” is actually a GAL and is the generic term of the Wolof peoples of Senegal for a boat or ship.
It is more a plank-extended dugout canoe with ram type ends; the GAL is used for fishing on coastal Senegal.
The construction various somewhat from area to area; some are sewn others nailed.
Dugout base elongate at each end by as much as 2.5m; bottoms flattened transversely and curved longitudinally; each ram bottom notched at hull end. Two or three strakes added to the basal dugout; some strengthened inside by a longitudinal plank.
Two to five low seats.
May be decked at the ends, terminating in breakwaters.
Coated with tar inside and out and decorated with names and designs.
Steered with a paddle.
Carried a bamboo or wooden mast stepped forward or roughly amidships, stayed to forward ram. Sets a boomed loose-footed spritsail; rope snotter holds sprit high.
Paddled; sometimes rowed with rowers facing forward
Most large types now fitted out with a motor.
Crew 5-6.
Reported lengths from 3 to 15 metre, beam 1.4 metre and depth 0.6m.
Senegal 1965 10f sg306, scott?
Source: Aak to Zumbra, a dictionary of the World’s Watercraft.
It is more a plank-extended dugout canoe with ram type ends; the GAL is used for fishing on coastal Senegal.
The construction various somewhat from area to area; some are sewn others nailed.
Dugout base elongate at each end by as much as 2.5m; bottoms flattened transversely and curved longitudinally; each ram bottom notched at hull end. Two or three strakes added to the basal dugout; some strengthened inside by a longitudinal plank.
Two to five low seats.
May be decked at the ends, terminating in breakwaters.
Coated with tar inside and out and decorated with names and designs.
Steered with a paddle.
Carried a bamboo or wooden mast stepped forward or roughly amidships, stayed to forward ram. Sets a boomed loose-footed spritsail; rope snotter holds sprit high.
Paddled; sometimes rowed with rowers facing forward
Most large types now fitted out with a motor.
Crew 5-6.
Reported lengths from 3 to 15 metre, beam 1.4 metre and depth 0.6m.
Senegal 1965 10f sg306, scott?
Source: Aak to Zumbra, a dictionary of the World’s Watercraft.