Frederick Fiebig.Coloured photograph of a masula boat at Madras; taken by Frederick Fiebig in c. 1851.The masula is a famous Madras surf boat; a light; open vessel designed and modified to work well through sea and surf conditions off a particular beach. It was flat-bottomed; high-sided; built in pliable sections of mango wood sewn together with coconut fibre; and paddled or rowed using a steering oar. Madras was a major Indian port but did not have a natural harbour. This view shows the boat beached on the foreshore with colonial buildings behind.1851.Photo 248/ (32)London; British Library.