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