DaveRow

Excellent. I did see the capstan was a double one. I see now, the pawls are not shown on the "Berwick" draft. I might just take the pawls off the 3D Capstan I made. possibly too much detail anyway. Thanks for adding the rigging plan - I have similar >> below

I should point out. The ship model in your pictures, has a finer entry bow. The HMS Sirius is a Bluff Bow ship. Very similar to the "HMB Endeavour" I build a while ago. I am trying to match the planking of the article below, which is the actual bluff bow "replica" of the Endeavour. Even with the replica build; "the Garboard strake has been allowed to creep up the stem, and if this had been kept a little lower they may not have needed as many dropped planks." (This was noted by a member of the Replica board) Most of my planking to date on my model, follows the natural lay of a plank over the frames.

More progress from the Shipyard. Slow progress on the 1st layer planking. Another 3 planks added from the keel. All 6mm wide. The first 4mm wide plank of 12 has been added, where they go over the curve section of the frame. As I had not kept the garboard plank shorter, the rest have swung further down. But being 1st planks, I have learn't.

Your correct. I've had a bit of a time to get the following bow planks onto the keel. The 2nd layer, will be done differently as you have pointed out.

More progress from the Shipyard. Since last post, more first layer planks have been added to the hull. And some 3D items in the pipeline. I've made a start on a few planks against the keel. Also marked out the lines for the tapering of the planks(in groups of 6) I'm using 6mm and 4mm wide planks. 4mm where the hull curves most, 6mm on the straighter sections. I usually pin each plank onto a frame and use plastic clamps, in hope to get the planks butted up neatly. This doesn't always work, especially where planks are curving a lot. Sandpaper time then... Here we are transitioning from a run of 6mm to start of 4mm planks - stern port side. Here we are transitioning from 4mm into 6mm planks - stern starboard side. The next few pictures are some works in progress on creating 3D Models and Resin Printing. I'm hopeful that with the right details and finishes, they will look presentable installed on the ship. Also been testing some paint on the 18 pound Carronade Cannon Base. Come up pretty good I reckon. Bit more touch up to do underneath(for the beady eyed) Same for the 18 pound Carronade Barrels. And the 6 pound Cannon barrels. Have also developed a 3D Model for a Capstan to print & paint. And before someone asks, it does not turn - yet !! See how it turns out. Well, always more planking to get on with. Dabble with 3D development whilst glue dries.

A bit of an update from the Shipyard. Since last post of the actual hull, the gun ports have come to light. The side planking has been brought up level with the upper deck. The front/bow planking has been raised to where the Gunwale rises from the ships side to the Bowsprit area. Probably best to return to the hull bottom and finish off the planking(1st layer). 1 of the 12 per side Gun Ports cut into the first planking layer. Slowly The front/bow planking has been raised to where the Gunwale rises from the ships side to the Bowsprit area.

Re: "The First Fleet" books. Alan Frost first published 2011 Rob Mundle 2014 They are pretty much the same. Both tell the story/need for lowering the numbers of convicted/felons in London/England, and the threat of the French establishing a colony/base in the pacific. Although both books go into the background of the Sirius, previously the Berwick, neither really delves into the finer details of the ship's details. I preferred Alan's book. I found the "The Sirius Past & Present" has more details on the Sirius than the other two. I'm presently into another book "The Investigator" Matthew Flinders voyage from England to circumnavigate/map Australia(as now called) proving it was a Continent.

Reference Materials. 3 books I have read to date, I have tagged relevant details of the ship, attempting to gather as much details as possible of the ship itself. Much has been written of the journey of the Sirius to Australia(1787), until her ending at Norfolk Island(1790). Many journals of those on board, accounts of daily life, happening on board and port visits. Not a lot on the actual ship itself(that I have not found to date). The

A quick Photo. I do believe I have neglected to show the plan I purchased of the "Berwick (1781) - Technical Drawing" ZAZ5405 held at the Royal Museums Greenwich. The plan does show good detail of the hull's starboard side, the upper & mid decks, along with the half frames(to the left), and hull lines at the bottom. No detail of the Taffrail, gun openings, though just the top edge. More than adequate to get the hull into shape.

Back in the Shipyard after a cold snap has started in Brisbane. I have continued to add on more of the first plank layer. Progress slow, having to pre-bend the "bluff" bow planks, and run then down to side to the stern. I'm adding 4mm wide planks where the frames curve, wider 6mm planks on the flat'ish areas. The Bluff Bow. Brings back memories of when I did the same on the Endeavour many moons ago. Cannot have enough of these little clamps. I use them to hopefully pinch the planks together, ending up with a smooth joint. If not, some sanding work to do later. The Transon planked. I made this little Jig to shape/bend the planks after soaking in hot water, gently bending each around the posts. Fast forward after a few more planks have been added. Not all the planks worked out(bend well) on the bow. Not enough fairing on the frame edges. I'll try better on the next run moving towards the keel. I/m not going to hide and errors on this build. Nothing a bit of sanding will fix. May cut the gun/port holes that have been covered over next. Bit of a break from planking

Hi Steve, Thanks for checking in on the build. I do have a number of pictures of the HMAS Sirius from the Powerhouse Web Site. I have Steels "Standing_Running_Rigging 500 Tons 24 Guns TABLES", unless their is another set closer to the tad under 512 tons the HMS Sirius(Berwick) was rated at. It's another long part-time build for me.

Hi John, Yes... the first was important to decide where to start. Whether I am right or not, below the side ports it was.

My shipyard had been shut down for a few weeks, whilst I was on holidays. Not a lot of progress, just a few 1st layer planks to either side of the hull. The first plank I added was just below the gun ports, aligning the top of the plank level with the bottom of the gun port. I made up some rods & wingnuts, with a tapered wedge to pull the plank in to get full contact to shape of the frame. Well that was/is the aim. Close up of the rod/nuts & wedges, packers, whatever I could lay my hands on to pull the plank flush to the frame/s. 2 planks per side now on. This is going to take some time..................

Hi Jim Lad, Good to see you checking in on my new adventure in the Shipyard. I do not have "The Nagle Journal". I just had a quick look on the Internet. Might see if I can pick up a second-hand copy. I've got a bit of reading/research to do, however another piece of reference does not go astray.

Back in the Shipyard. Progress has been somewhat slow. The shipwrights have been crafting the hull portholes for the cannons. 12 per side on the middle deck. I decided to frame and square off each porthole to aid the location & I'm in no hurry. So why not add extra frames and sill/heads in now. A view of where the Deck is at, with Hatches framed around, masts holes located, generally looking very straight. The Sirius(Berwick) had a flat upper deck to carry long lengths of timber on the Baltic Trade Route. I also added in some extra Bow framing to aid in the line of the forward planking. Not faired yet. Off for a 3 week holiday, so no work on the Sirius for a while.