Chaika (boat)
A chaika is a wooden boat with a mast and sail used by the Zaporozhian Cossacks in the 16–17 Centuries on the Dnipro River and the Black Sea.
Construction
Chaikas were between 18 to 20 metres in length, 3 to 3.5 metres in width, and 3.5 to 4 metres in depth. The bottom of a chaika was carved out of a single tree trunk, with sides built out of wooden planks. To protect the boat from enemy guns or from sinking, reed bales were tied to the gunwales of the boat.
Chaikas also had two helms, so that the boat never needed turning around in order to switch direction. One such boat could carry around 50 to 60 men and up to 6 falconets (small cannon).
A similar, but larger boat used by the Zaporozhian Cossacks for both transport and warfare was called a baidak.
References
"Chaika." Encyclopedia of Ukraine. Ed. Volodymyr Kubijovyč. Vol. 1. Canada: University of Toronto Press, 1984.
External links
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hr:Čajka (brod)
ja:チャイカ (舟)
pl:Czajka (łódź)
ru:Чайка (лодка)
uk:Чайка (човен)
