GONDOLA
Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 7:36 pm
GONDOLA or water taxi of Venice that has undergone a long period of evolution, but has been fairly standard since the late 19th century.
In the 13th century they were barge-like and employed numerous oarsmen; during the 16th-17th centuries, they became increasingly ornate, but by later decree they were simplified and painted black. Estimated to have numbered as many as 10,000 in the late 15th century, but only a few now built; almost entirely supplanted by motorized craft.
Prior to the end of the 18th century, were rowed by 2 oarsmen, one at each end, and the boats were symmetrical. When reduced to a single oarsman, the port side was made fuller and deeper and the starboard shorter so that the oarsman, standing on the port side with the oar to starboard, is able to keep the boat from swinging to the left. As many as 8 different kinds of wood used in their construction; thin planking bent over ca. 40 sawn frames; bottom flat transversely curved fore-and-aft, no keel. Sharp ends overhang especially at the stern; stem inclines ca. 10º to starboard; considerable sheer, especially aft. Open except for a cambered foredeck, which is often decorated; early boats had a small covered compartment amidships; one lacking this cabin was called a FIRANZIERA.
Characteristic iron work (now aluminium) fitted to the bow and stern; the tall bow piece consist of a flat piece shaped like an axe head, with 6-7 teeth facing forward and one aft. Oarsman stands on a small platform, working a 3.2 – 4.2m-long oar against a tall contorted oar fork; oar hold against the fork at various points for special maneuvers.
Reported lengths 5 – 18m. now mainly ca. 11m; e.g. length 10.87. beam 1.5m, depth 0.5m.
St Vincent & the Grenadines ? $5 sg?, scott?
Armenia 2020 330d sg?, Scott 1231. See:viewtopic.php?t=17875
From: Aak to Zumbra a Dictionary of the World’s Watercraft. More info is given on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gondola
In the 13th century they were barge-like and employed numerous oarsmen; during the 16th-17th centuries, they became increasingly ornate, but by later decree they were simplified and painted black. Estimated to have numbered as many as 10,000 in the late 15th century, but only a few now built; almost entirely supplanted by motorized craft.
Prior to the end of the 18th century, were rowed by 2 oarsmen, one at each end, and the boats were symmetrical. When reduced to a single oarsman, the port side was made fuller and deeper and the starboard shorter so that the oarsman, standing on the port side with the oar to starboard, is able to keep the boat from swinging to the left. As many as 8 different kinds of wood used in their construction; thin planking bent over ca. 40 sawn frames; bottom flat transversely curved fore-and-aft, no keel. Sharp ends overhang especially at the stern; stem inclines ca. 10º to starboard; considerable sheer, especially aft. Open except for a cambered foredeck, which is often decorated; early boats had a small covered compartment amidships; one lacking this cabin was called a FIRANZIERA.
Characteristic iron work (now aluminium) fitted to the bow and stern; the tall bow piece consist of a flat piece shaped like an axe head, with 6-7 teeth facing forward and one aft. Oarsman stands on a small platform, working a 3.2 – 4.2m-long oar against a tall contorted oar fork; oar hold against the fork at various points for special maneuvers.
Reported lengths 5 – 18m. now mainly ca. 11m; e.g. length 10.87. beam 1.5m, depth 0.5m.
St Vincent & the Grenadines ? $5 sg?, scott?
Armenia 2020 330d sg?, Scott 1231. See:viewtopic.php?t=17875
From: Aak to Zumbra a Dictionary of the World’s Watercraft. More info is given on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gondola