SAMET ALTINTAŞ , İSTANBUL
The Kancabaş, or literally “hookhead,” vessels used both as passenger and cargo ships for many years during the Ottoman Empire, are making a comeback in İstanbul waters.
Kancabaş vessels, which served as transportation during the Ottoman Empire, are making a comeback in the Bosporus.
Kancabaş boats were an important method of transportation in the Ottoman Empire and early years of the Turkish Republic. These boats were mainly used in crossing the Bosporus from Üsküdar to Sarayburnu. In 1950, the last Kancabaş was left on the Arnavutköy coast and has not been used since. The Turkish Sailing Federation plans to bring Turkish sailing heritage back to life by manufacturing Kancabaş boats and their first Kancabaş is expected to set sail next August.
Mustafa Reşit Ünel, who is responsible for the Turkish Sailing Federation’s Kancabaş Project, stated that the federation plans to bring Kancabaş boats back to İstanbul social life. Ünel said the Kancabaş is a “national boat” for Turks, adding: “Within the scope of this project, we aim to keep Ottoman culture alive and introduce it to new generations. Plus, we desire Kancabaş to be a part of daily life in İstanbul.”
Ünel said, they want Kancabaş boats to become a symbol of İstanbul again, as they were in the past, just like the gondolas of Venice, Viking ships and Nile boats. Ünel stated that these Kancabaş boats will replace the ones that currently carry passengers across the Golden Horn (Haliç). Ünel also said that they aim to aid tourism by sailing Kancabaş boats.
“We are planning to sail a 7.6-meter-long Kancabaş manufactured by the Egeyat company in about a month. Ship manufacturing engineer Tanju Kalaycıoğlu designed a 9.2-meter-long Kancabaş and manufacturing will be open to the public in Tuzla. Anyone can go and help manufacture these boats,” said Ünel.
via zaman