Context (Related Documents)
Listed in the 14th Annual Report (1899) 'Appendix II Skeat Collection./This collection was formed by the donor, Mr Walter W. Skeat, M.A., District Magistrate of Larut, Perak, in the Kuala Langat District of Selangor in the years 1896 and 1897'.
Event Date 1899
Author: Guey-Mei Hsu

Context (Acquisition Details)
The 14th Annual Report (1899) noted that 'Mr Walter W. Skeat, M.A., District Magistrate of Larut, Selangor, Perak, has presented his extensive collection of Malay and Sakei weapons, implements, costumes, models, etc., comprising over a thousand specimens. This collection, the result of many years residence in the country, fills a considerable gap in the Museum series, and is the more valuable as many of the objects it embraces are actually no longer in use among the people, or are being rapidly displaced by European goods. By Grace, 10 February, 1898, Reporter, p. 486, the thanks of the University were offered to the donor for this most valuable gift.
The cost of packing and conveyance to Singapore was defrayed by the donor; while his father, Professor Skeat, generously paid the expenses of transit from Singapore to Cambridge; so that the collection was received by the University free of cost'.
Event Date 1899
Author: Guey-Mei Hsu

Context (Related Documents)
Although this item appears to be Skeat I: 444, the measurements given on the catalogue card differ slightly from those given in the Printed Catalogue I, where the length is stated to be 24.0" .
Event Date 16/1/1987
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
Model of a Gubang Laut. An old Malay pirate boat. Similar to Z 33746, though of a heavier build, and with plain raking bows and strong bulwarks, small dandan over stern, deck house, one mast and sweeps. Across the bows is the apilan, or bulletproof shield, on which a pair of swivel guns are mounted, and astern is the gong for sounding attack.
Event Date 16/1/1987
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
Wooden model of single-masted Gubang Laut, or pirate boat. With plain raking bows and strong bulwarks, small railings or dandan over stern, partially open deck house, one mast with detached rectangular sail (.2-3), made using recycled white cotton fabric with black print at edges. There is no separate boom. Nine boards of the desk are detachable (4-12). With five sweeps/oars attached to the side of the hull, one broken on the starboard side and possibly a 6th sweep on the port side missing. One smaller possibly steering oar (.13) Across the bows is the apilan, or bulletproof shield (.14 but missing). With five guns (.15-19), one with a rounded barrel (.15) is assumed to be one of the two swivel guns (possibly known as rentaka). With three spears (20-22) with leaf shaped heads, a curved sword (.23), a circular gong with beater (24-5) for sounding attack at the stern and a crescent topped pole inserted into a square hole behind the desk house, possibly to support a steering oar. A human figure with articulated arms holds a circular shield (.26) and its wooden spike seems to fit into . There are two detached rectangular pieces of wood of unknown use and location on the boat (27-8). An anchor with stone weight (.29).
Only those items which are physically separate or detachable have been allocated a suffix.
Event Date 16/11/2023
Author: rachel hand

Context (Amendments / updates)
Boat and sail reassembled for photography with the assistance of Professor Maznah Mohamad, Head of the Department of Malay Studies, National University of Singapore. However, not all items were firmly identified and their positions on the model may not be accurate.


Event Date 16/11/2023
Author: rachel hand

Description (Labels & Markings)
old paper label pasted to hull read "444/Gubang Laut"
Event Date 16/11/2023
Author: rachel hand

Description (Labels & Markings)
Paper label on roof of deckhouse with "38" written in ink.
Event Date 16/11/2023
Author: rachel hand

Description (Labels & Markings)
Printed number '31AE' pasted to object. These were the numbers supplied to Skeat by von Hügel as noted in the Skeat correspondence.
Event Date 16/11/2023
Author: rachel hand

Description (Labels & Markings)
The anchor has a green label tied to it reading "Boat 31.AE" and on the other side "Univ. Cant Mus. Ethn Skeat Coll",
Event Date 17/11/2023
Author: rachel hand

Context (Physical description)
An anchor with a stone weight, with a green label reading "Boat 31.AE" and on the other side "Univ. Cant Mus. Ethn Skeat Coll", was found with Z 33721. It has been reunited with Z 33734. However, the original description by Skeat printed in the Annual Report does not mention an anchor.
Event Date 17/11/2023
Author: rachel hand