A small wooden boat usually propelled by oars or paddles, the sampan originated from China with Western travel accounts mentioning it from as early as the 17th century. The name sampan (literally meaning ‘three boards’) was derived from the material used in the construction of the craft’s keel-less hull, which were usually three planks or pine boards. Various variations of the sampan were used in Southeast Asian waters primarily as a means of transporting passengers and goods over short distances in rivers and coastal waters. Prior to the cleanup of the Singapore River in the 1980s, sampans were a common sight on the river, busily ferrying passengers and crew to and from ships anchored in the harbour. These versatile boats can still be seen plying the coastal waters of Singapore and are used mainly for pleasure rides and fishing.
