Note 33 — Memoir

The felling of timber is a work that must receive particular attention, as this is required for the repair of the Company’s vessels, at least such parts of them as stand above the water level. For repairs under water no timber has so far been obtained in the Wanni that is serviceable, as the timber there is liable to be attacked by a kind of worm under water. Timber can be transported to the Castle only once a year during the rainy season, when the rivers swell so much that the timber which has been felled during the dry season can be brought down to the Passes and from there to the Fort. Sometimes also timber is felled near the seashore, when it is brought down along the coast to Kayts or Hammenhiel by pressed Carrias or fishermen. Occasionally some timber is also felled near the seacoast between Manaar and Jaffnapatam, which is suitable for door posts, window frames, and stocks for muskets and guns, while here also is found the timber for gun-carriages, which comes in very useful, as the Fort must be well provided with ammunition. In the Memoir left by Mr. Laurens Pyl for this Commandement, bearing date November 7, 1679,33 it is stated in detail how the felling of timber is conducted and what class of people are employed in this work. This subject is also dealt with in the report by the late Mr. Blom of August 20, 1692, so that I merely refer to these documents, and recommend that another and an experienced person ought to be trained for the supervision of this work in addition to the sergeant Harmen Claasz, who has done this work for the last 25 years, and has gained much experience during his residence in the forests of the Wanni, and knows exactly when the timber ought to be felled, when it can be transported, and what kinds of trees are the most suitable. Because it must be remembered that like all human beings he also is only mortal. I therefore some time ago appointed the soldier Laurens Hendriksz as his assistant. He is still employed in the same capacity. As these forests are very malarious, there are but few Dutchmen who could live there, and this is the more reason why Your Honours should always see that an able person is trained to the work, so as to avoid inconvenience some time or other. It is impossible to employ a native in this work, because the Wannias would not have the same regard for a native as for a European, and one of their caprices to which they are so often subject might interfere with the work. (23)