Hi, I am new to this forum, but have been doing restorations of one kind or another for many years.
I have what we think is a very old Model Ship that was brought here by great grandparents from Spain (We were told). For sure it is over 60-70 years old
I do not know if this is the correct forum sub-heading to list this topic, but I would like to get help with the following:
1. What type of ship was this, A Spanish Armada supply ship (No Cannons) ?? or something else.
2. Was this a one off, or some type of Kit at the time?
3. How should I begin the restoration and follow thru?
I have started to glue the masts together, I was at one time all together, but I boxed it up thinking I would work on it in a few months, and it stayed boxed through 3 moves, storage, abuse by movers, and when I opened it last week, everything sticking out was broken. Most of the sails, look like they were some type of cotton or linen, with hems and seams, and then hardened in place as if fully filled with wind. They also seem to have wire in the hems. A couple are completely destroyed, and some have rips, I tried to clean one with a paintbrush, and the dirt came off, I tried also soapy water, and it cleaned just a wee bit, but the water did not seem to ruin the fabric.
Most all of the rigging is crumbled, but the "catwalks" ?(triangular webbing to climb the masts are all OK, since they were also strengthen with some lacquer or glue. The wood is OK, needs claeaning and maybe a coat of tung oil? The bottom half of the hull is either apinted in a crackler finish like car undercoating or the paint has crackled with time.
The name plaque on the Ship says "Santiago" underneath it says PORTUGAL.
Approx 32" long, 34" high to tip of mast.
Without any pictures it will be extremely difficult for me to re-rig it. I am a sailor, but of 16 ft. boats, not three masters.
Any help much appreciated
mtaylor reacted to a post in a topic:
Restoration of Old Model Ship
