As a volunteer at the Caboolture Historical Village, I am honoured to see the work that our many volunteers do, especially in restoration. One day I came across a shed where several men were working on an old boat.
Whilst it wasn't exactly a secret, not many volunteers working in the office area knew about this boat, and indeed the stories that the men had been told were a little vague and could not be substantiated.
I told my neighbour - a mad boatie - and he was "suspicious" about the information, and indeed came back to me with additional information. One of the volunteers sent a letter to a boating magazine requesting more information, and one of the original workmen on the boat in 1958, contacted him. So the story of the old Bunda-La is slowly coming together.
There is quite a story about the Bunda-La, and I hope to find out more about it as the elderly boat builder is visiting the Village tomorrow.
One of the many things that I found interesting about this boat, which was used as a fishing vessel after it's life as a pilot boat for the Queensland Government and the hull was covered with copper sheeting, which was held in place by bamboo nails. (With my interest in bamboo, I was fascinated.)
Who would have thought that nails made of bamboo would be on such a vessel?
The volunteers work on the boat for hours on end, and are quite chuffed about their work and look forward to meeting the boat builder tomorrow. I am hoping to be there too.
(Here is a story from Japan about building boats using bamboo nails. Click here. (This website is also of interest - Edgewater Gallery)
This website also tells about the use of bamboo nails in boat building in China.
I found this video on Youtube - about a bamboo boat. Similar to the ones we rode on in China.
Whilst it wasn't exactly a secret, not many volunteers working in the office area knew about this boat, and indeed the stories that the men had been told were a little vague and could not be substantiated.
I told my neighbour - a mad boatie - and he was "suspicious" about the information, and indeed came back to me with additional information. One of the volunteers sent a letter to a boating magazine requesting more information, and one of the original workmen on the boat in 1958, contacted him. So the story of the old Bunda-La is slowly coming together.
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There is quite a story about the Bunda-La, and I hope to find out more about it as the elderly boat builder is visiting the Village tomorrow.
One of the many things that I found interesting about this boat, which was used as a fishing vessel after it's life as a pilot boat for the Queensland Government and the hull was covered with copper sheeting, which was held in place by bamboo nails. (With my interest in bamboo, I was fascinated.)
Who would have thought that nails made of bamboo would be on such a vessel?
The volunteers work on the boat for hours on end, and are quite chuffed about their work and look forward to meeting the boat builder tomorrow. I am hoping to be there too.
(Here is a story from Japan about building boats using bamboo nails. Click here. (This website is also of interest - Edgewater Gallery)
This website also tells about the use of bamboo nails in boat building in China.
I found this video on Youtube - about a bamboo boat. Similar to the ones we rode on in China.
More research - information about an American man, Douglas Brooks who is building boats in the old Japanese style, complete with bamboo nails.
Comments
Thanks for reading. D