DaveRow

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.

Back in the Shipyard. Whilst waiting for the 2 Pack Resin to dry on the hull construction(many times). Research on the MHS Sirius shows some conflict from several sources as to the number and size of guns she carried. http://www.hmssirius.com.au/the-early-years.html Refitted as an armed storeship: The Berwick was purchased by the Navy before she was completed and fitted out as an armed storeship. As Navy property, these types of ships were despatched to various parts of the world for iron, copper, pitch, hemp, tar and timber. Timber was the main cargo carried, which was required to meet the Navy’s immense needs. These storeships had to be armed as prize-takers, pirates and enemy ships also patrolled the shipping routes. "The Berwick was then refitted. Her hull was coppered to guard against worm infestation which was prevalent in tropical waters, masts and yards replaced, ballast was adjusted to compensate for the addition of guns and accommodation quarters refurbished. The guns recommended were twenty two to twenty four 9-pounders on the middle deck and six 4-pounders and four 18-pound carronades on the upper deck. However it is not known for sure if this particular arrangement was met. Commissioned as HMS Sirius" Orders came through in October 1786 for the Berwick to be outfitted for foreign service and she was duly commissioned as HMS Sirius, a 6th Rate ship of the Line. Her status had now changed from armed storeship to armed escort requiring changes to the type and number of guns she carried. It was now set down that she should carry four 6-pounders, six 18-pound carronades and eight swivel guns. It is interesting to note that, officially, carronades did not figure in the ratings so an extra ten six-pounders were put on board(DR Note: stored in the hull ?). A few sources simply state "When completed she carried 10 guns, four 6-pounder long guns, and six 18-pounder carronades" Probably work on showing: four 6-pounders, six 18-pound carronades and eight swivel guns That brings me to what can I do to enhance the detail for this build. I have been trying my hand in 3D Printing for some months now. mainly small figures for my sons to paint. Being a design draftsman in my first trade(paid employment), I still like to "design things". Below are the 2 types of armament mentioned above I have created/printed (still somewhat work in progress) Will see how they paint up for use on the ship's fit-out. PS: The 6-pounder cannon was sourced on this Web Site: Cheers Dave R

An update from the Shipyard. Some more progress on the hull framing, upper deck supports & deck layout. I've been checking along the way to keep the frames straight, square without any twist. The top deck: I have added the mast locations, hatches, capstan and a few other notable items/features from the "Berwick" plan. Where the masts and hatches clashed with frames, I added in beams under the top deck. Bit of an over kill ?, extra strength 🙂 At the stern: - 8 curved frames added to support the stern cross planking either side of the rudder, - a "butterfly" extension for the mid deck cabin which extends out either side, - a "H" frame to tie the top deck to lower deck. this frame will provide a solid foundation for the stern of the ship(windows etc.) More of this area in future posts. Cheers Dave R

Another update to the Shipyard. I decided to add the Mid Deck in as planned from the cut-out in each of the frames. This will all me the option to possibly mount a couple of Caronades on this deck ! The ply frames all look a little untidy atm. I'll sand them up, and apply a sealer to all inner surfaces. Next to make sure I've got all the work/cuts and surfaces done before the Top Deck goes on. Cheers Dave Row

A little progress in the Shipyard. All the main frames have been mounted to the keel. A central control strip of ply added to keep all the frames in line. A couple of close ups of the Rabbet rebate on side of keel. Cheers Dave Row

Hello Pat, Was wondering if any of the "Endeavour Build days" were still plodding along. Yes! an Iconic Ship, but not much authentic information about. Still, I will give it my best on the hull. PS I'll see what you are building in your log. !! Cheers Dave Row