CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
"We used the same materials which were used in building the ancient ship, that is pine for the shell and the frames, oak for the strakes and small tenons and pine for the big tenons, where the nails were driven in. The pine was from Samos because it was more akin to the wood that was used for the original ship. Also, in some parts (such as the oars and bollards) we used wild beech, which, after searching a lot, we brought from Calambaca. The pulleys were also made like the one that was found on the ancient ship, with the wheel inside made from holm-oak or some other hardwood.
We looked for and found in Tinos stone for millstones like the ones that were found on the ancient ship. The nails, all of copper, were handmade.. There were around 5.000 of them. The sail had a square shape and was made of linen. We couldn't find linen on the Greek market, so we located and ordered some from Ireland.
At first the boat builders didn't think that it was possible to build the ship by using ancient techniques. However, once they got started, they not only had faith in their task but their minds began to work like those of their ancient colleagues as well; they identified with them. Often, when archaeologists and scientists knew nothing about parts of the ship that had not come to light, they asked for the boat builders' advice, which was respected because it was sound.
The old captains, who were our advisers, told us that the ship's life was concentrated on the stern. And it was for this reason that we took all the rigging back to the stern.
The ancient boat was coated with resin. We asked old seamen in their eighties and they told us that in the old days they used to coat their caiques with resin mixed with fat. We melted fat and coated the outside of the ship. We were all excited because the results were superb. The ship's construction was, I daresay, as good as that of the ancient ship. When it was launched into the sea it took it only three days to stabilize in the water. "
Extract from an interview given to CyBC by PERICLES KOUKIS, member of the shipbuilding team that constructed KYRENIA II. The interview was part of a radio series "Something different every week". Mr Koukis was talking to Kyriakos Charalambides.
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Monday, May 27, 1996 11:59:56 PM