Louie da fly

Ahh, there's nothing like positive thinking. And that's certainly nothing like positive thinking . . .

While I'm thinking about the anchors, I'm also working on the side-rudders (steering oars if you prefer) .
 
I'd originally intended to attach the rudders to the lower through-beam on each side, but I realised it wouldn't be able to pivot upwards if I did, so I used the upper beam instead. So I had to cut a hole in the planking on top of the support structure,  for the rope that fixes the rudder to the beam.
 

 
The rope allows the rudder to pivot around its vertical axis (for steering), and with a bit of luck it will also allow it to swing upwards out of the way when only one rudder is in use. The kind of lashing or whatever that was used is (of course) unknown, so I'm going with the theoretical one from the TAMU paper "The Development of the Rudder, 100-1600 A.D.: A Technological Tale"  by Lawrence V. Mott ( https://nautarch.tamu.edu/academic/alum.htm) to see if it works.
 
I drilled a hole in each rudder and inserted a brass pin.
 

 
and a corresponding hole in the upper beam on each side of the ship
 

 
Here are the rudders dry fitted
 
 
        
 
 
There is only one Byzantine picture that shows a tiller on a side rudder:
 

 
I'm probably going to copy that for my own. To get the tillers at the right height I put the steersman in place next to one rudder and marked where the hole for the tiller would have to be.
 
        
 

 
Note that I haven't yet finished the steersman's arms - I'm holding off till the tillers are in place. I wasn't sure if I wanted one tiller to be swung up out of the way, but I think it'll look better with them both in operation. Which means I have to carve another steersman. 

You're embarking on a whole new adventure! Make sure you read the planking tutorials (if you haven't already). Quite a lot to know and work out. Take your time, think it through and don't be afraid to undo it if you're not happy with it. With care and application, you'll get there.

What's wrong with these photos?
 
                    
 
For those who answered "the anchor cable is at the wrong angle to the windlass" go to the top of the class. And there's no way I can move the windlass to change the angle - there's no room. Looks like I won't be using the windlass for the anchors after all (sigh). Oh, well -the crew will just have to rely on brute force to raise the anchors.

While I'm thinking about the anchors, I'm also working on the side-rudders (steering oars if you prefer) .
 
I'd originally intended to attach the rudders to the lower through-beam on each side, but I realised it wouldn't be able to pivot upwards if I did, so I used the upper beam instead. So I had to cut a hole in the planking on top of the support structure,  for the rope that fixes the rudder to the beam.
 

 
The rope allows the rudder to pivot around its vertical axis (for steering), and with a bit of luck it will also allow it to swing upwards out of the way when only one rudder is in use. The kind of lashing or whatever that was used is (of course) unknown, so I'm going with the theoretical one from the TAMU paper "The Development of the Rudder, 100-1600 A.D.: A Technological Tale"  by Lawrence V. Mott ( https://nautarch.tamu.edu/academic/alum.htm) to see if it works.
 
I drilled a hole in each rudder and inserted a brass pin.
 

 
and a corresponding hole in the upper beam on each side of the ship
 

 
Here are the rudders dry fitted
 
 
        
 
 
There is only one Byzantine picture that shows a tiller on a side rudder:
 

 
I'm probably going to copy that for my own. To get the tillers at the right height I put the steersman in place next to one rudder and marked where the hole for the tiller would have to be.
 
        
 

 
Note that I haven't yet finished the steersman's arms - I'm holding off till the tillers are in place. I wasn't sure if I wanted one tiller to be swung up out of the way, but I think it'll look better with them both in operation. Which means I have to carve another steersman. 

Dislodging the anchor could be done by "sailing (or rowing!) it out". Yes, maybe the windlass wasn't really needed . . . But it does look good, and I think I will wind one anchor cable around it, if only for the look of the thing.
 
And I'm sure there'd be plenty of other jobs on board ship that could need the windlass's help (such as Mark's suggestion of using it to raise the masts). 
 
 
Thanks very much. And thanks everybody for all the likes -they are much appreciated. It's getting to the point where I can actually see the end in sight. Still quite a bit to be done, but there's definitely a light at the end of the tunnel (I hope it's not an approaching train!)

What's wrong with these photos?
 
                    
 
For those who answered "the anchor cable is at the wrong angle to the windlass" go to the top of the class. And there's no way I can move the windlass to change the angle - there's no room. Looks like I won't be using the windlass for the anchors after all (sigh). Oh, well -the crew will just have to rely on brute force to raise the anchors.

While I'm thinking about the anchors, I'm also working on the side-rudders (steering oars if you prefer) .
 
I'd originally intended to attach the rudders to the lower through-beam on each side, but I realised it wouldn't be able to pivot upwards if I did, so I used the upper beam instead. So I had to cut a hole in the planking on top of the support structure,  for the rope that fixes the rudder to the beam.
 

 
The rope allows the rudder to pivot around its vertical axis (for steering), and with a bit of luck it will also allow it to swing upwards out of the way when only one rudder is in use. The kind of lashing or whatever that was used is (of course) unknown, so I'm going with the theoretical one from the TAMU paper "The Development of the Rudder, 100-1600 A.D.: A Technological Tale"  by Lawrence V. Mott ( https://nautarch.tamu.edu/academic/alum.htm) to see if it works.
 
I drilled a hole in each rudder and inserted a brass pin.
 

 
and a corresponding hole in the upper beam on each side of the ship
 

 
Here are the rudders dry fitted
 
 
        
 
 
There is only one Byzantine picture that shows a tiller on a side rudder:
 

 
I'm probably going to copy that for my own. To get the tillers at the right height I put the steersman in place next to one rudder and marked where the hole for the tiller would have to be.
 
        
 

 
Note that I haven't yet finished the steersman's arms - I'm holding off till the tillers are in place. I wasn't sure if I wanted one tiller to be swung up out of the way, but I think it'll look better with them both in operation. Which means I have to carve another steersman. 

You are right Louie. After looking the stone composition and definitions it is the same stone

Same thing happened to me. Three times. The ship ran into something, all right - my clumsy hand.
 
Brilliant weathering on the stempost and strakes.

First, sorry for the delay answering. Second, thank you. I always do my best in my projects.
 
I have been very busy this month, but I took some time for sanding(ugh! I need to discover any tool to make this easier) and prepare everything to start planking (advances, yay!).

bow part sanded.

And the stern sanded... with some mirror planking!!!
 
Aaand

First plank!!! 
Tomorrow more updates (cross your fingers)

I like your new configuration for the bowsprit. It makes sense. and . . .
 
 
Sounds good to me . . . 

Very nice work on the counterweights.
 
Unless I miss my guess, that is the stone called soapstone in English, or steatite. Sceatha used it for his ship, too.

While I'm thinking about the anchors, I'm also working on the side-rudders (steering oars if you prefer) .
 
I'd originally intended to attach the rudders to the lower through-beam on each side, but I realised it wouldn't be able to pivot upwards if I did, so I used the upper beam instead. So I had to cut a hole in the planking on top of the support structure,  for the rope that fixes the rudder to the beam.
 

 
The rope allows the rudder to pivot around its vertical axis (for steering), and with a bit of luck it will also allow it to swing upwards out of the way when only one rudder is in use. The kind of lashing or whatever that was used is (of course) unknown, so I'm going with the theoretical one from the TAMU paper "The Development of the Rudder, 100-1600 A.D.: A Technological Tale"  by Lawrence V. Mott ( https://nautarch.tamu.edu/academic/alum.htm) to see if it works.
 
I drilled a hole in each rudder and inserted a brass pin.
 

 
and a corresponding hole in the upper beam on each side of the ship
 

 
Here are the rudders dry fitted
 
 
        
 
 
There is only one Byzantine picture that shows a tiller on a side rudder:
 

 
I'm probably going to copy that for my own. To get the tillers at the right height I put the steersman in place next to one rudder and marked where the hole for the tiller would have to be.
 
        
 

 
Note that I haven't yet finished the steersman's arms - I'm holding off till the tillers are in place. I wasn't sure if I wanted one tiller to be swung up out of the way, but I think it'll look better with them both in operation. Which means I have to carve another steersman. 

While I'm thinking about the anchors, I'm also working on the side-rudders (steering oars if you prefer) .
 
I'd originally intended to attach the rudders to the lower through-beam on each side, but I realised it wouldn't be able to pivot upwards if I did, so I used the upper beam instead. So I had to cut a hole in the planking on top of the support structure,  for the rope that fixes the rudder to the beam.
 

 
The rope allows the rudder to pivot around its vertical axis (for steering), and with a bit of luck it will also allow it to swing upwards out of the way when only one rudder is in use. The kind of lashing or whatever that was used is (of course) unknown, so I'm going with the theoretical one from the TAMU paper "The Development of the Rudder, 100-1600 A.D.: A Technological Tale"  by Lawrence V. Mott ( https://nautarch.tamu.edu/academic/alum.htm) to see if it works.
 
I drilled a hole in each rudder and inserted a brass pin.
 

 
and a corresponding hole in the upper beam on each side of the ship
 

 
Here are the rudders dry fitted
 
 
        
 
 
There is only one Byzantine picture that shows a tiller on a side rudder:
 

 
I'm probably going to copy that for my own. To get the tillers at the right height I put the steersman in place next to one rudder and marked where the hole for the tiller would have to be.
 
        
 

 
Note that I haven't yet finished the steersman's arms - I'm holding off till the tillers are in place. I wasn't sure if I wanted one tiller to be swung up out of the way, but I think it'll look better with them both in operation. Which means I have to carve another steersman. 

While I'm thinking about the anchors, I'm also working on the side-rudders (steering oars if you prefer) .
 
I'd originally intended to attach the rudders to the lower through-beam on each side, but I realised it wouldn't be able to pivot upwards if I did, so I used the upper beam instead. So I had to cut a hole in the planking on top of the support structure,  for the rope that fixes the rudder to the beam.
 

 
The rope allows the rudder to pivot around its vertical axis (for steering), and with a bit of luck it will also allow it to swing upwards out of the way when only one rudder is in use. The kind of lashing or whatever that was used is (of course) unknown, so I'm going with the theoretical one from the TAMU paper "The Development of the Rudder, 100-1600 A.D.: A Technological Tale"  by Lawrence V. Mott ( https://nautarch.tamu.edu/academic/alum.htm) to see if it works.
 
I drilled a hole in each rudder and inserted a brass pin.
 

 
and a corresponding hole in the upper beam on each side of the ship
 

 
Here are the rudders dry fitted
 
 
        
 
 
There is only one Byzantine picture that shows a tiller on a side rudder:
 

 
I'm probably going to copy that for my own. To get the tillers at the right height I put the steersman in place next to one rudder and marked where the hole for the tiller would have to be.
 
        
 

 
Note that I haven't yet finished the steersman's arms - I'm holding off till the tillers are in place. I wasn't sure if I wanted one tiller to be swung up out of the way, but I think it'll look better with them both in operation. Which means I have to carve another steersman. 

While I'm thinking about the anchors, I'm also working on the side-rudders (steering oars if you prefer) .
 
I'd originally intended to attach the rudders to the lower through-beam on each side, but I realised it wouldn't be able to pivot upwards if I did, so I used the upper beam instead. So I had to cut a hole in the planking on top of the support structure,  for the rope that fixes the rudder to the beam.
 

 
The rope allows the rudder to pivot around its vertical axis (for steering), and with a bit of luck it will also allow it to swing upwards out of the way when only one rudder is in use. The kind of lashing or whatever that was used is (of course) unknown, so I'm going with the theoretical one from the TAMU paper "The Development of the Rudder, 100-1600 A.D.: A Technological Tale"  by Lawrence V. Mott ( https://nautarch.tamu.edu/academic/alum.htm) to see if it works.
 
I drilled a hole in each rudder and inserted a brass pin.
 

 
and a corresponding hole in the upper beam on each side of the ship
 

 
Here are the rudders dry fitted
 
 
        
 
 
There is only one Byzantine picture that shows a tiller on a side rudder:
 

 
I'm probably going to copy that for my own. To get the tillers at the right height I put the steersman in place next to one rudder and marked where the hole for the tiller would have to be.
 
        
 

 
Note that I haven't yet finished the steersman's arms - I'm holding off till the tillers are in place. I wasn't sure if I wanted one tiller to be swung up out of the way, but I think it'll look better with them both in operation. Which means I have to carve another steersman. 

Another masterpiece in the making, Greg. 

Yes, I would have thought that from looking at the cross-sections. It has a very low freeboard - looks like it would get swamped easily.
 
By the way, here is a picture of a longship with a stern rudder, from about 1300 AD.
 

 
It's from Skamstrup Church, near Kalundborg, Denmark. Note that the tiller is curved, to go around the sternpost.

Dislodging the anchor could be done by "sailing (or rowing!) it out". Yes, maybe the windlass wasn't really needed . . . But it does look good, and I think I will wind one anchor cable around it, if only for the look of the thing.
 
And I'm sure there'd be plenty of other jobs on board ship that could need the windlass's help (such as Mark's suggestion of using it to raise the masts). 
 
 
Thanks very much. And thanks everybody for all the likes -they are much appreciated. It's getting to the point where I can actually see the end in sight. Still quite a bit to be done, but there's definitely a light at the end of the tunnel (I hope it's not an approaching train!)

Thanks, Pat. My understanding is that they were beached stern-first, rather than bow, but the principle is the same - in fact it would make it easier to use the windlass to haul the vessel off the beach. But they were so light the stern could apparently be hauled well up onto the beach, which would help protect against changes in the sea direction. And of course the Mediterranean is all but tideless. There were apparently a lot of islands across the Mediterranean with adequate supplies of water and a good beach, and they would have been part of any good skipper's local knowledge. If they were too far away from the next one they could spend the night at sea, but preferred not to. Apart from anything else, it only took a very few days for the on-board water supply to run out.
 
If they were beached stern-first and the anchor was over the bow, the cable would have been stored in the bow rather than the stern. Which is how I've been thinking of all this. However, it seems that there would have been at least one anchor somewhere in the stern - when anchors are so light you can't have too many. The Serce Limani glass wreck had nine of them - six of which were stored one on top of each other in two piles somewhere near the bow. Apparently the ship was caught by a storm near the coast, they dropped the stern anchor to give them a chance to get the rest of the anchors and make sure of her - but the anchor itself snapped before they could, and she was driven ashore. I haven't made that many anchors - only 5 - two catted and fished (one each side) and the rest stored in the bow (even though I should probably put at least one at the stern). 
 
Anyway, perhaps I'll have one anchor cable connected to the windlass and the other just vanishing under the forecastle.

Dislodging the anchor could be done by "sailing (or rowing!) it out". Yes, maybe the windlass wasn't really needed . . . But it does look good, and I think I will wind one anchor cable around it, if only for the look of the thing.
 
And I'm sure there'd be plenty of other jobs on board ship that could need the windlass's help (such as Mark's suggestion of using it to raise the masts). 
 
 
Thanks very much. And thanks everybody for all the likes -they are much appreciated. It's getting to the point where I can actually see the end in sight. Still quite a bit to be done, but there's definitely a light at the end of the tunnel (I hope it's not an approaching train!)

Contemporary representations sometimes show the stay fixed to the bowsprit,
 
    
sometimes to the hull
 
 
  
    
 
 
- and sometimes it's hard to tell.
 

 
The Bodleian Marco Polo picture shows the stay running to the hull and the bowsprit used for braces running forward from the yardarms.

 
A lot of representations show the fixing point at the base of the bowsprit - perhaps fixed to the stempost? The Marco Polo picture certainly suggests that.
 

 

Yes - it's from c. 1325, well into the period when stern rudders were in use. But I agree, a longship with one is quite strange.

This is wonderful! Yet another of the growing band of people making models outside the general run of the mill. And particularly mediaeval ships (my own particular passion).
 
I'll be following with great interest.