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eric de bisschop : kaimiloa, 1940 

Eric de Bisschop : Kaimiloa, 1940.

de Bisschop, Eric:
The Voyage of the Kaimiloa
From Honolulu to Cannes via Australia and the Cape of Good Hope in a Polynesian double canoe.

Translated by Marc Ceppi. 
G. Bell and Sons Ltd, London, 1940.

Introduction
Arriving in Honolulu following the destruction of their Chinese junk, Fou Po II, de Bisschop and mate,Tati(bouet), build a Polynesian double-hull sailing canoe, Kaimiloa.
Initially disliking the label "scientist" bestowed by the Hawaiian press, de Bischop "researched" a current controversy, whether the Polynesians occupied the Pacific from the west or from the east.
Studying the available sources on ancient Polynesian sailing canoes, which he considered rudimentary, de Bisschop concluded that these craft were able to sail against the prevailing currents and winds of the Pacific, that is the Polynesians came from Asia, and not the Americas.

The twin-hulled Kaimiloa was constructed with the intention of "proving" his theory, although the hulls are fitted with watertight compartments
and twin rudders, and the sails are canvas and bamboo, all derived from the Chinese junk.
Critically, he perceived the importance of
fibre cord lashings, that provide flexibility between the hulls, page 25.
Whereas "the navigators of old were numerous ... and the readjustment of lashings must have been frequent,"  with a crew of only two,
de Bisschop compromises with a combination of metal chains and springs.

The extended stay in Honolulu includes a romantic encounter with Papaleaiaina, whose "mother and grandmother are singing to this day, contary to custom because they are women, the genealogies which the men no longer sing ... (with) the marvellous exploits of the double canoes of legend," page 39.

There is only scant mention of the construction of outrigger canoes, despite their celebrated use in the surf at Waikiki at this time, and note the canoe adjacent to the Kaimiloa under construction, plate A facing page 27.

Conceeding to Tati's request "to return to France as soon as possible," de Bisschop abandons his scientific research, and decides to sail south and then west, with the prevailing winds and currents, page 61.

Testing the spring connections
Facing page 26


The Kaimiloa's stem.
Facing page 27a


The water-tight compartments
Facing page 27b


The Kaimiloa's first outing
Facing page 306


The Kaimiloa at Cannes
Facing page 307






de Bisschop, Eric:
The Voyage of the Kaimiloa
From Honolulu to Cannes via Australia and the Cape of Good Hope
 in a Polynesian double canoe.

Translated by Marc Ceppi. 
G. Bell and Sons Ltd, London, 1940.

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Geoff Cater (2014) : Eric de Bisschop : Kaimiloa, 1940.
http://www.surfresearch.com.au/1940_de_Bisschop_Kaimiloa.html