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Suphannahong (Golden Swan)
The Suphannahong Royal Barge was completed in 1911 in the reign of
His Majesty King Vajiravudh. A royal barge bearing this name has existed since
Ayutthaya Kingdom such as Sri Suphannahong, built in 1548, and Suvannahong
created in the reign of His Majesty King Buddha Yodfa Chulalok The Great.
The prow resembles the head of hamsa or swan, carved with gilded lacquer
and decorated with mirrored glass. A crystalline ball and tassels dangle from
the mouth. The hull is painted black outside and red inside. In the middle of
the barge is a canopy for the King.
In 1992, the World Ship Trust honoured the Suphannahong Royal Barge with
the World Ship Trust Maritime Heritage Award. The award was presented to
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great on 4 June 1992.
The length of the barge is 46.15 metres and the width at the beam is 3.17 metres.
The depth of the hull is 94 centimetres and the draught is 41 centimetres.
Its displacement is 15.60 tons. Its crew consists of two officers fore and aft,
two steersmen, 50 oarsmen, one standard bearer, one signalman, seven royal
chatra (white umbrella) bearers and one chanter. The chanter leads the barge
chant and the oarsmen correspond rhythmically.
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