Note 13 — Philippine Ships and Shipbuilding

The rigging in the said Filipinas Islands is of two kinds: one, which was formerly used, is made from the palm called gamu,13 today used only to make cables, stays, and shrouds; the other is called abacá, and is a kind of hemp, which is sowed and reaped like a plant in Piru and Tierra Firme called bihau. Abaca is much stronger than hemp and is used white and unpitched. This abaca costs twenty-four reals per quintal, and is made into rigging in Cabite by the Indian natives, in the sizes and diameter required. These Indian ropemakers are furnished, in repartimiento14 in neighboring villages, and your Majesty pays them eight reals per month and a ration of one-half celemín of rice daily. A task is assigned to them, for they work from midnight and until the close of the next day.