24 November 2014
This was one of the more interesting events which we were
pleased to have been able to watch and follow.
The controversial book “1452 – the year the Chinese discovered
the world”, described celestial navigation
techniques used by Chinese, long before the discovery of the chronometer enabled western mariners to determine longitude.
Ancient Polynesian voyagers also used only the stars, currents and birds, to navigate. They also used the deck layout on
their twin hulled craft (waka)to represent their compass. They divided the horizon into segments and knew the times that various stars rose and set in each segment. This was the key to their ability to navigate sans instruments. They are using special master mariners for each hemisphere.
Thor Heyerdahl, with his Kontiki Expedition, claimed that
the Polynesian islands had been settled by people on rafts, who drifted
westward from South America on the currents. This concept stuck in the craw of
the Polynesian people who had their own ancient legends of how their people
navigated long voyages.
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| Hikianalia-the support vessel with engine, solar panels and satcoms |
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| Hokule'a under tow to Waitangi for their traditional welcome |
40 years ago, the Hokule’a was built in Hawaii, recreated
from ancient paintings. Manned by a crew of 16 including a Polynesian master mariner,they
set sail for New Zealand to disprove the Heyerdahl assertion that Polynesians
could not navigate!
This successful voyage has now been repeated by the same Hokule’a
which has just arrived, and been welcomed at Waitangi by the Maori . This time she is
accompanied by another bigger waka mother ship (the Hikianalia) – one that is
fully equipped with an engine, satellite communication and a team of National
Geographic photographers! This time New Zealand is not the destination, but
just the first leg of their” Around the world” venture.
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| The ceremonial Maori waka from Waitangi |
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| Bringing the Hokule'a crew ashore |
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| What can we say......... |
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| The haka and welcoming challenge at the Marai |
They are scheduled to visit Australia and Cape Town. Of course, the big issue., as far as I’m concerned, is whether their ancient mariners’ return to Hawaii was via Cape Horn, or through the Panama Canal, which of course ,never existed at that point in time!
As can be seen from these photographs of their route plans….. the Panama Canal is their chosen route! Given that no vessel is permitted to transit the canal if they cannot maintain a speed of 6 knots, then a motor less Polynesian Waka is on a hiding to nothing……… Unless the sponsors stump up big bucks to arrange a special towing exemption……., which is obviously what is going to happen!
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