A Solomon Island plank-built lashed-lug canoe in the Canterbury Museum collection, Christchurch

This paper presents an acquisition history of a 7.3 m six-frame canoe from Sasamunga, Choiseul Island, collected by the Canterbury Museum in 1968. Purpose-built for the museum by local craftsmen in 1967–1968, the vessel presents the observer with a wealth of information on the methods and technology of “plank-built lashed-lug” canoe building from the northwestern region of the Solomon Islands. As well as interpreting information supplied by the master builder at the time of procurement, this paper also discusses some of the structural components and patterns of frame and plank attachment that embrace this finely crafted maritime artefact. Apart from documenting the canoe’s description and provenance for public record, this paper also suggests a possible method for classifying similar plank-built lashed-lug watercraft found in the region.