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Image Not Available for Drawing by Vital Alsar possibly relating to his raft LA BALSA
Drawing by Vital Alsar possibly relating to his raft LA BALSA
Image Not Available for Drawing by Vital Alsar possibly relating to his raft LA BALSA

Drawing by Vital Alsar possibly relating to his raft LA BALSA

Maker (Spanish / Mexican, born 1933)
Date1968
Object number00028737
NamePlan
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 500 x 640 mm, 0.05 kg
Display Dimensions: 644 x 500 mm
ClassificationsMaps, charts and plans
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Alec Altman
HistoryBorn in Santander, Spain, in 1933 Vital Alsar currently lives in Vera Cruz Mexico. Alsar attempted to prove that pre-Columbian South Americans could and did undertake voyages in the Pacific by sailing pre-Columbian style balsa wood rafts from Ecuador to Australia. The first attempt in 1966 in LA PACIFICA was not successfull. The second in 1970 in LA BALSA was, Alsar reached Mooloolaba in Queensland. The third attempt in 1973 with three rafts called LAS BALSAS (GUAYAQUIL, MOOLOOLABA and AZTLAN) was partly successful, two reaching Ballina in New South Wales one had to be abandoned. One of the rafts is currently on display in Ballina Maritime Museum.
SOUTH AMERICA - NORTH COAST: TORTUGA TO CAPE LA VELA
Hydrographic Office of the Admiralty
1894
Carte de la Cote Sud-Ouest de la Nouvelle Guinee
Clement Adrien Vincendon-Dumoulin
1838
Boat design drawings
Ben Lexcen
1983