Richard Gudmundsen has designed a barge according to the specifications given by the Lord to the
brother of Jared (see illustration). Readers should note the peculiar shape of the boat's hull. It is designed so that when the wind blows, aerodynamic forces will cause the boat to point in a direction which will have the least hydraulic (water) drag. Thus it will skitter across the water like a duck, yet will not spin in a manner which would cause sea sickness to the occupants. (Note the reference to ducks in the abridger's description--Ether 2:16). [Richard A. Gudmundsen, Scientific Inquiry Applied to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, pp. 99-103]
Ether 2:16 They were light upon the water, even like unto the lightness of a fowl upon the water ([Illustration]): Possible Jaredite Barge Construction. [Richard A. Gudmundsen, Scientific Inquiry Applied to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, p. 99]