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Seeing the post by Bob on the Crother's book AMERICAN-BUILT PACKETS AND FREIGHTERS OF THE 1850'S (http://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/topic/5376-american-built-packets-and-freighters-of-the-1850s/?p=154501), I went on-line to see what my options are for buying (and to add to the wish list which I periodically send to my Admiral and kids). Lo and behold, there is an additional title coming out this summer: The Masting of American Merchant Sail in the 1850s An Illustrated Study Print ISBN: 978-0-7864-9399-9 Ebook ISBN: 978-1-4766-1569-1 ca. 45 photos, glossary, appendix, bibliography, index softcover (8.5 x 11) 2014 Not Yet Published, Available Spring/Summer 2014 About the Book This book describes the intricacies of construction and fabrication more than 150 years ago of masts and yards installed in American merchant vessels, particularly those spars which were "built" or composed of multiple pieces bound together by iron bands. These were referred to as "made" spars as opposed to spars which were constructed from a single tree. It also contains instructions for developing the shape and proportions of various spars. Very little information is available on this subject. Generally, the external sizes of individual spars can be found but intimate details are sorely neglected. In addition the book includes the spacing and location of masts in a ship, and the rake. It also includes a discussion of the types of wood that are most desirable in the construction of spars. Price is listed as $55.00 at the McFarland website (http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/book-2.php?id=978-0-7864-9399-9) and also on Amazon.

The steam battery Demologos (also refereed to as the Fulton for her designer). An interesting center paddlewheel steamer. Lived a rather mundane existence for the US Navy.

Those are the items of interest, Augie. Will go check out Rustyj's Granado - THANKS!

Fantastic repair, Sherry. I agree with Danny and the rest - I can't pick out the lines either!

She is coming along very nicely, Scott. That metal work came out wicked sweet! Look forward to the next update -

Welcome to the slow show, Sjors - glad to have you here! Have put the first glue to wood. Took a bit, but have built the former and installed the bulkheads and the filler pieces fore and aft. Next step is to add what look like reinforcing pieces between the bulkheads at the keel end - is this the way you see the pieces at the base of the frames in the cross section and the hashed line between them in the side view? Pictures (probably) tomorrow evening.

Surely you don't mean to imply that Mobbsie would use such language as to peel paint from a barnacle???? :D :D Looks good there, Mobbsie. Very impressive!

Coming along quite nicely, Eammon. Good luck with the planking - I know now where to run to get filler when the stores are sold out!

Look forward to following this build, Stan - Enjoy!

Yo, Mobbsie - WOW!!! Looking fantastic, mate. Well done!

Looks great, popeye, but gotta agree with John. Are you really sure? Maybe a small bar, towel rack....

Fantastic job, Popeye. I love all the little touches you add to these!

My computer...

Looks great Augie. Off to New Jersey today to help keep the Super Bowl safe!

Thanks, Augie - will check that (and your jig) out as possible solutions to my problem. It is the lower (keel) side of the planks that don't want to lie flush against the bulkhead, so this may be a partial solution. Thanks, my friend - will keep you posted!

Stan - Thanks for stopping by. I have put this one back on the shelf for a spell. I just can't seem to get the hull faired right for the planking to sit flush, so instead of using the axe and chainsaw to correct my goofs I opted to put it safely out of my reach until I can figure out how to fix that which I up-ge-fluggeled (highly technical Homeland Security term meaning messed up badly). Will be watching yours to get a better idea of how it should be done!

Off to a great start, Eamonn. Looks nice and squared off.

Thanks, Sam - that makes too much sense! I am going to try for something close to "as built" but know that will include the use of many assumptions. One thing I am hoping to get from the various sources is an idea of where certain things were located - and also as an aid to working with the Aeropiccola plans. Ultimately, once I have the chance to compare the various sets of information, I'll be in a better position to plan out any changes I want to make to the kit. Looking at this as a long term project (figuring at least 2 years before I even start thinking about the rigging), and want to take the time to do this one right, hence having the references to cross check assumptions. Will see how that all works out, though! Please keep checking in and offering insights - I am gonna need all the help I can get on this one!

Greetings and salutations. Not a great deal of progress to report - continue to fine tune the alignment on the bulkheads in preparation for installing them. I was out of town most of the week (and will be next week as well), but the Admiral graciously assisted me today with a detailed inventory of the materials. There is no materials list provided, and all of the wood was in a couple of bundles or just loose in the box. After a couple of hours of sorting and measuring, we came up with a good detailed inventory of what is provided. Next step is to translate the Italian into English - my significantly better half has offered to take that on as well! So - here is what came in the kit AFTER the initial sorting. First, the Timber The Laser Cut pieces (knees, pin rails etc). The Dowels and some more shorter timber. Also the molded pieces - some form of pressed wood material. Here is a close up of the stern windows etc. I think, when the time comes, I will be trying to make these from scratch. Time will tell on that! Spending my time while on the road going through the AoTS Essex, John Stevens plans from 1952, the William Baker plans (in The Frigate Essex Papers, 1974) and cross checking to the kit plans. I have the plans by Portia Takakjian on order and will be working with those as well. The kit plans are more building diagrams and parts drawings and most are not to scale.There are a couple of good profile views and cross sections which are to scale so using those for some of the preliminary layout work. There are no lines drawings provided, so will be checking the hull shape using the other sources listed above.

Nice work - looking great!

Very handy for soldering small stuff.

Good morning, Lawrence. I agree with Grant - not sure how the rigging material is in your kit, but it was like night and day compared to the stuff in my kit. I'll take a couple of pictures (using both on the Harriet- too complicated to change it all over) when I get home from Orlando on Friday.

Your craftsmanship continues to impress me, John. Wonderful job on this - you do her justice!

Off to a nice start - mind if I follow as well? I am partial to schooners, just like the lines and simplicity!