Photograph: Karbass for three pairs of oars with a set sail, without a helm, with a drag anchor on a long rope or dog-lead in front of the bow; behind the karbass, near the barn, are nets on racks for drying.

Russians

Arkhangelsk province, Yarenga district, Arkhangelsk district, village

1910

11,7 x 16,9

РЭМ 2638-90/2

A Pomor karbass was first mentioned in the Solovetsky Monastery’s Customs Chart in 1591, however the technology of “sewn” ship building was well-known as early as in Ancient Rus: the side boards were sewn together with withes, bast fiber binders, or animal tendons, and the seams were caulked and tarred. By the 17th century, the Pomor vessels had become models for Russian shipbuilding: they had excellent strength properties and seaworthiness. The differences in karbass building and rigging depended on local tradition, type of fishery, and fishing season, which told on their names: “carrier” for fishing product carriage, “Pomor” for Murman fisheries, “springtime” for seal hunting in spring, etc. Abstract by O.G. Baranova