ABSTRACT
This paper summaries fieldwork undertaken in Tamil Nadu, Southeastern India in January 1997 (Blue et al. 1998). The project is part o f a five-year programme o f research funded by the Society o f South Asian Studies, one aspect being an investigation into fram e-first vessels o f Tamil Nadu. The term 'fram e-first’ (also known as skeleton) describes boats and ships that are built by erecting the frames or ribs o f the boat before adding the shell o f planks. Fram e-first construction is commonly observed, certainly within the context o f European boat building, but is in contrast to the other traditional types o f boats that are currently built along the shores o f eastern India (Blue et al. 1997)* The majority o f traditionally built boats in India are constructed 'plank-first’ , which involves most o f the shell o f planking o f the hull being fastened together and to the plank-keel and the posts, before the fram ing o f floors and crossbeams are positioned in the hull.
