DaveRow

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

The Shipyard has made a little progress. From the RMG Technical Drawing I created a Keel and frame sections onto paper at 1:60 scale. These were transferred(glued) onto Ply and in process of cutting out: - the Keel is cut from 7mm Marine ply. - the 11 frame sections cut from 4mm & 7mm Marine ply(6 mid ship frames from 7mm ply, 5 bow_stern frames from 4mm ply) - a few extra frame shapes cut for extra strength to the bow - still to develop the stern ply shapes. A lot cutting, sanding, and preparation for squaring all items up on the keel. More details to follow. Dave Row

Hello to all the Ship Builder's around the world. Time for me to drop anchor and build another ship "HMS Sirius" (approval from the Admiral has been gained) after nearly 5 years away from the Shipyard. This will be my first Scratch build of a wooden ship. The first being a Kit of the HMB Endeavour (build log on this site). The Sirius has held much interest to me, it is part of the Colonization story of Australia - my birth country. This ship is going to be somewhat interesting to construct. Details of the ship is lacking, but this does not deter me to take on the task. To my knowledge, no Kit or AOTS book is available. However, in saying this I have gathered material & information over the past 5 years to which I will refer to during the build process. The one defining piece of material (which I now have) is the "Berwick (1781) - Technical Drawing" ZAZ5405 held at the Royal Museums Greenwich. The plan, as I was informed: "As far as is known, ZAZ5405 is the only original drawing we hold of the ship you are planning to model". She was built in 1780 for trade with the Baltic States. She had a displacement of 511 tons. Originally, she was named the HMS Berwick, an armed store ship, but prior to its departure for NSW she underwent refitting to be a 6th rate at the Deptford Yard and in 1786 renamed the "Sirius" - after the major star in the Southern sky. She carried 16 guns. Sirius was selected to be the flag ship for the first Fleet (11 ships) - the fleet that carried the troops and convicts to Sydney. She was commanded by Captain John Hunter. The fleet left Portsmouth on 13 May 1787, and arrived at Port Jackson on 26 January 1788. Sirius carried most if not all of the first fleet's administrators including the Governor Arthur Phillip and Major Robert Ross commander of the marines responsible for guarding the convicts in the colony. On 19 March 1790 Sirius was wrecked on the reef at Norfolk Island while landing stores. With the settlement still on the brink of starvation this was a major catastrophe as it left the colonists with only one ship. So, into the shipyard I go. Dave Row

More ropes & blocks and more ropes & blocks. Getting very busy Dashi and looking great.

Nice blockwork on the Fore Yard Steve. Long road ahead....

Dashi. Coming along very nice.

Hi Vinnie, How is the build going. Must be well into the rigging, time permitting ? Nice "Mouse"ing about by the way...

Shipyard Closing Down Well for a time being to refurbish the Entertainment Room for the Display Case to reside. And to explain, the Admiral, as my next project wants me to repaint a room and refurnish appropriately with a side bench_table for the display case to reside on. A few pictures of the Endeavour taking centre spot in the display case. Queensland Western Red Cedar Base with a Acrylic Case over. I learnt so, so much over the 5 year period constructing the H.M.B. Endeavour. I must say thanks to all those who followed the build, those who I/we shared information, and the general encouragement during the period. It would be a lonely life constructing a model without this fantastic Web Site "The NRG Model Ship World" and the members on it. To those other fellas currently constructing the H.M.B. Endeavour, good luck with the rest of build. Enjoy the final home run as I did. That's all Folks....

Hi John, Industrial Plastics Pty Ltd They were over at Murarrie, however moved end of January to new location. May of kept their phone no. 1300 465 888 projects@industrialplastics.com.au I emailed them for new location as well.

Enjoy the UK holiday Pat. Well earned break from the shipyard.

Hi Steve, That David Steel's book has a lot of answers. Nice going.

Shipyard Update Display Case - Base Below is picture of the base to mount the Endeavour on. I had a plaque engraved and located on the corner on the base. Next step to clean dust off the model, a final check over and Place the acrylic case over the top and lock it in place. Nearly finished.