For 25 years, a sole young man masters shipbuilding in Syria’s Raqqa
The Euphrates River in the city of Raqqa in northern Syria – North Press
RAQQA, Syria (North Press) – In a small blacksmith workshop in the center of the town of Mansoura on the right bank of the Euphrates River, 25km west of Raqqa in northern Syria, Muhammad is busy every morning placing metal plates on the floor of the workshop to take measurements of the ships base patiently and with the utmost precision.
Even though shipbuilding no longer makes sufficient profits compatible with the effort, precision, and mastery it requires nowadays, however Muhammad Aboud, 38, has a passion and has been working in this profession for over 25 years.
Aboud told North Press, “I love shipbuilding. I am overjoyed when I see a ship that I have built sail the water of the Euphrates River so that a family can live off fishing using that ship.”
The town of Mansoura has been familiar with building small metal ships for the first time over half a century ago. In the past, fishermen used to use large round pots [similar to giant cooking pots] made of iron or copper to work.
Up until the forties of the last century, before building bridges on the Euphrates River, all ships were made of wood and used not just for fishing but also considered the only means of transportation between the banks of the river.
Master of profession
Aboud describes wooden ships as “hard” on the skipper, “They become heavy because the timber absorbs water, making it slow and hard to control. On the other hand, the small little ships used nowadays are “elastic and fast.”
The shipbuilder says there are three types of metal ships now. The Swan, which is the oldest known type in the region. The second type is the Banana, and the third and currently trending is the Rocket, which is the fastest and smoothest for fishermen.
There are other types of small metal ships, but they are not designed for fishing. Usually, some people buy them for sailing in the Euphrates River as they are larger than ordinary ships.
They design seats in these ships for sitting, covered from the top with colorful fabric to prevent sun heat. This type is rare and popular only among few people who use them for recreational activities, according to him.
The master of the profession who taught Aboud the secrets of the profession, now works in the industry of building giant ships and steamers in the port of Beirut on Mediterranean, which is one of the oldest and most famous ports of the old east.
Pride in profession
Shipbuilding, like other professions across Syria, has been affected by the low value of the Syrian pound against the US dollar and the high prices of raw materials needed for this industry, such as iron plates and metal welding material. Before the war, one ship cost 3,000 SYP. Now it costs $250, according to Aboud.
He is very proud of his profession and tries to develop it and pass it down to his children. He considers it a hobby first, then a job. It is not less than painting and sculpting, he said.
In all the steps required to build the ship, from the very first moment of laying the metal plates to draw its base chart to the final stage of delivering the ship ready for work, he is amazed how these still metal plates can simply sail the Euphrates River.
Aboud’s attachment to his profession, which he learned from a young age in this small town, is proof of his attachment to his environment and a sincere expression of the positive interaction he had that inspired him to make living supplies in order to sustain life in a financially humble environment.
The town of Mansoura is connected to the Syrian Desert from the south, whereas its north part is lively and vibrant. The small house are close to the Euphrates River amid large fields of wheat, corn, cotton, and fruits.
The quietness of the country is only interrupted by the voices of the fishermen sailing in the middle of the river in their small ships, the majority of which were built by Aboud, being the only one in his town doing profession of shipbuilding now.