Ancient Indian Stitched Ship Model | 24” W Scale Model

The Scale Model | The Indic Inspirations Design Team created the 1:65 Scale Model of the Stitched Ship after study of various materials on the history of the ship and field visits to the Hodi Innovations shipyard at Divar Island in Goa where the 4th Ship was being re-constructed. Drawings from the team from Hodi Innovations and the Indian Navy were used to create the scaled 3D model.

All the materials of the reconstructed ship were carefully studied with special emphasis on the technique and pattern the "stitching". The " IIXII " pattern was carefully reconstructed in the 3D model. The details of the rigging of the ship, the pulleys and ropes were carefully studied.

RECONSTRUCTED STITCHED SHIP

Masterful Craftsmanship: Building the Stitched Ship

The Indian government’s initiative to reconstruct a 19.6-metre stitched ship started in 2022. This project is inspired by a circa 4th century CE vessel depicted in the Ajanta paintings, ancient texts, carvings, and descriptions by foreign travellers. The stitched ship project aims not only to honour but also to revive this ancient craft, showcasing the exceptional skills of India’s remaining traditional shipwrights.

DESIGN OF THE RECONSTRUCTED SHIP

The ship’s preliminary design had been based on the documentary evidence available, necessary modifications have been made in accordance with modern design parameters to enhance stability and safety.   For instance, controlling the vessel’s rolling motion is critical to ensure the vessel’s stability, particularly in the challenging sea states prevalent in the Indian Ocean.

The ship’s design has been suitably modified to comply with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) guidelines on rolling limits of similarly sized vessels.

The stitched ship is two-masted, with the masts positioned one-third of the distance from the forward and aft positions of the ship.  This mast placement ensures that the forces exerted by the square sails are distributed more evenly across the hull, further improving stability.  The ship does not have a conventional rudder-tiller combination and the steering will be done using large trailing oars, while stone anchors with a pulley system are being considered for anchoring the vessel, contributing to both manoeuvrability and the maintenance of a steady course in varying sea states.

MATERIALS USED

Particular attention has been paid to the traditional materials used in constructing the vessel. Coir rope is utilised for stitching and binding the wooden planks together with remarkable strength. Coconut fibre acts as a filler between the joints of the planks, providing the watertightness crucial for oceanic voyages. The stitching itself is performed with specialised needles, maintaining the authenticity of ancient methods. Kundroos resin, a natural gum, is applied between wooden joints to ensure secure connections, while fish oil and limestone powder are mixed to enhance the wood’s durability.

The external hull is treated with a brick red pigment, a traditional technique used for colour and preservation. The ship’s hull is treated with fish oil, a traditional anti-fouling agent.