The title of this engraving refers to ‘proas’ or ‘perahu’, a generic term for Malay boats. This perahu is the ‘perahu-mayang’, with one mast and a low sail made from matting. These small boats were fishing boats, some of which carried opium, cotton piece goods, salt and salted fish for trade. Larger perahu-mayang, ranging from 15 to 20 metres long, carried heavy cargo between coastal towns. Traders from Riau, Sumatra, the Malay peninsula and the west coast of Borneo flocked to Singapore in perahu after the opening of the entrepot.
