trippwj

Glad to see this ol' girl back - love the things you come up with to spice up a build!

That is an amazing project! I didn't realize Sketchup was that robust! i have a 13 year old that enjoys using sketchup - will show him this as an example of what it can do! Thanks so much for sharing it!

According to the description in Howe & Matthews, the Santa Claus did, indeed, have the old elf as the figure head. They also include a couple of pages about Neptune's Favorite, mainly about her various trips. She seems to have been a fairly fast medium clipper. Howe, Octavius T. & F. T. Matthews American Clipper Ships 1833-1858 Vol 2.

Hello, Richardt - and thank you for the nice comments. It is a labor ov love for me - I truly love to read! Can't seem to bring myself to part with a good book, and have been know to re-read a particularly good one many times. I have not compiled a list of good biographies and historical novels as of yet, but certainly seems like a great idea! Would love to work with you on a compendium of that sort! Sounds as though you have a lifetime of stories around your own builds - would be a pleasure to hear some of them! Wayne

Hang in there, Adam - there are many worse things that could happen! Will be following - this is one on my "wanna build" list as well!

Thus far, my favorite hand tool has been my trusty soft bristle tooth brush...lots of clean up work so far!

Welcome back, Frank - gonna settle in off to the side here and enjoy the show. Good clean work to this point, and if i recollect correctly, you had made it quite some distance down the road on this one?

Very nice looking build! What was your impression of the kit itself - this is one that I am contemplating for a future build. Many thanks!

Glad to see Le Mirage back - she is looking mighty fine! Think I'll pull up a seat here in the corner and grab a cold beverage from your refrigerator!

Thanks - I need to look into that one!

Started working on the main boom and continued with the fixed rigging on the foremast, including re-reeving the deadeyes. They just didn't look right. Early January now...note the re-built foremast. Got up one morning and the topmast had snapped off completely at the mast cap. Had to do a new topmast, and also built new tops (much nicer) and then re-stepped the mast. Being a lot more careful with the tension on the shrouds and stays this time! Carving the boom jaws Fitting the boom to the main mast. I built the saddle out of several layers of thread wrapped around the mast and hardened with CA. Couldn't see any way I was gonna be able to master making this out of wood (mast diameter is about 3/32") It was about this time that I walked by my workshop (well, my small corner of the living room) and noticed that the topmast had broken clean off at the mast cap. Well, after a few choice words (I hadn't even had my coffee yet, mind you), I went to work rebuilding it. Had to go buy some square stock and make the top mast, then re-do the tops (didn't really like the old one anyway ), and also decided to take the plunge and make a new mast cap (the old one was metal - this one is wooden). Rebuilt tops and topmast shrouds. I was a lot more careful with the tension this time, and also installed the forestays before the backstays and shrouds. Deadeyes look better this time, but now I am contemplating replacing these with new ones made by hand - not sure I am ready for that, though.

So, after regrouping, moved on with some rigging work. Stepped the foremast and ran the shrouds and backstays. In hind sight, this picture should have been a big red flag that something double plus ungood was gonna happen! Some of the references I used for the rigging. First two are Plans for the model. I was rather befuddeled about rigging the bowsprit so used Underhill's Masting & Rigging The Clipper Ship & Ocean Carrier to try and sort it out. I spent what seemed like weeks reeving those pesky 2.5 mm deadeyes... This is about attempt 3 or 4, I think. And another attempt... Bowsprit has been temporarily installed. I have been quite fortunate that my kids have taken an interest in this hobby. This is my most dedicated apprentice (age 5) - she has her own piece of the model she is responsible for sanding and painting. {Pardon the curlers...we were preparing for our annual ballet outing}

Continuing in November - got a lot done this month! First major uh-oh. Almanza (my scale shipwright) did some checking and found I had not left the sides high enough. Had to install an extender all around the hull. Dang Naval Constructors.... For some reason he thought there would be a problem with the angle of the cannon...Wouldn't take my word that it was for protection against submarines... Tried to show him it was up-to-specifications. Uh-oh... Soooo...about 1/8" too short, huh? Really? Are you SURE!!!!! He even insisted on a final check of the rebuilt bulwarks and rails. Seems content this time (Whew!)

So, as time went on, I got a bit done at a time. Here was my progress in early November 2012 Took a break from working on rigging the foremast and started on some of the other bits and pieces. Here the rudder, fife rails, bowsprit and topsail yard are in progress. Brought on a new hand to help out - this is Almanza (an old family name). i thought it would be useful to have something to check how the various bits looked in scale.

Sjors - I haven't even had a chance to microwave my pop corn yet! She is looking fine, Sir. Now let Anja have the computer so she can do some posting! Good thing we don't have that problem here...the 4 of us have our own laptop computer, plus the boys each have a netbook (miniature computer) for school. Not to mention my trusty business computer here in the home office. Have a great weekend, and welcome back!

This is a unique looking vessel - exceptional job on it, sir!

I'll add some more this evening when I switch to my personal computer, but a quick question - do I really want to embarass myself by including the "OH, CRUD" mistakes I made???

Prior to this build, my only model experience was with plastic some 40 years ago. I don't have many early photo's, but here are a few from last September. This first is a shot of the deck as of mid October. Still had quite a bit to do at this point. I had started using the brass chain that came in the kit, but found it was too shiny so went and bought some black chain at the local hobby store. A bit further along here. Have started work on the masts. This was Foremast version 1.2 Fore course yard has been furnished and installed to the mast at this stage. This was foremast version 1.6...my first attempt at shrouds and ratlines for the topmast. Stay tuned for what happened next...it isn't pretty!

Will join Anja here with some popcorn and watch the updates - your Syren has been impressive to watch!

That is a very sharp looking build, Derek! I would hazard it is not your first ship?

Greetings from the illustrious maritime state of Arkansas. I started work on the Revenue Cutter Harriet Lane in March, 2012. The following information is courtesy of the US Coast Guard: The Revenue Cutter Harriet Lane, built for the Treasury Department by William H. Webb, was launched in New York City in November 1857 and was named for the niece of lifelong bachelor United States President James Buchanan. The Harriet Lane served as a revenue cutter until temporarily transferred to the Navy late in 1858. Her new assignment took her to Paraguay with a squadron ordered to support the discussions of U.S. Special Commissioner James B. Bowlin with Dictator Carlos Antonio Lopez concerning reparations for damages incurred during an unprovoked attack on WATERWITCH by the Paraguayan forces 1 February 1855. This display of sea power quickly won the United States a prompt and respectful hearing which 4 years of diplomacy had failed to obtain. In his report Flag Officer W. B. Shubrick singled out Harriet Lane for special commendation on the invaluable service she rendered in extricating his other ships repeatedly running aground in the treacherous waters of the Parana River. Returning to the United States, Harriet Lane resumed her former duties as a revenue cutter. In September 1860 she embarked Edward Albert, the Prince of Wales, the first member of the British Royal Family to visit the United States, for passage to Mount Vernon where he planted a tree and placed a wreath on the tomb of George Washington. Harriet Lane again transferred to the Navy 30 March 1861 for service in the expedition sent to Charleston Harbor, S.C., to supply the Fort Sumter garrison. She departed New York 8 April and arrived off Charleston 11 April. The next day she fired a shot across the bow of NASHVILLE when that merchantman appeared with no colors flying. NASHVILLE avoided further attack by promptly hoisting the United States ensign, but 2 days later raised the Palmetto flag to begin her career as one of the most elusive Confederate privateers. When Major Anderson surrendered Fort Sumpter 13 April, Harriet Lane withdrew with her sister ships. Her next important service came the following summer when a task force was sent against Fort Clark and Fort Hatteras on the outer banks of North Carolina to check blockade running in the area, The ships sortied from Hampton Roads 26 August 1861 for this first important combined amphibious operation of the war. The next morning Harriet Lane, MONTICELLO, and PAWNEE slipped close inshore to provide direct support to the landings while heavier ships pounded the forts from deeper water. Harriet Lane ran aground while attempting to enter Pamlico Sound through Hatteras Inlet 29 August and suffered severe damage while fast on the shoal. She was refloated at the cost of her armament, rigging, stores, provisions, and everything else on board which could be heaved over the side to lighten ship. Temporary repairs completed 5 September, she proceeded to Hampton Roads, arriving 8 September 1861. Harriet Lane sailed 10 February 1862 to join Comdr. D. D. Porter's Mortar Flotilla at Key West, where units were assembling for an attack on Confederate forts In the Mississippi River Delta below New Orleans. Comdr. Porter embarked at Washington. During her passage to Hampton Roads, Harriet Lane was taken under fire by the Confederate battery at Shipping Point, Va., which inflicted such damage to her port wheel that her departure for Key West was delayed another 2 days. On 24 February, she captured the Confederate schooner JOANNA WARD off Florida. Following blockade duty in Mobile Bay, Harriet Lane sailed for Galveston, Tex., which she bombarded and captured with the aid of WESTFIELD, OSASCO, CLIFTON, and HENRY JAMES, 3 October 1862. She was in Galveston Harbor when the Confederates retook that base 1 January 1863 ; and, after a bitter contest in which her captain, Comdr. J. M. Wainwright and executive officer, Lt. Comdr. Edward Lea, were killed, she fell into Southern hands. After serving the Confederate Army's Marine Department of Texas, she was sold to T. W. House, who converted her into a blockade runner named LAVINIA. She finally escaped Galveston 30 April 1864 and sailed to Havana, where she was interred. In 1867, following the war, she was recovered from Cuba and was converted to a bark rig and renamed ELLIOTT RICHIE. She was abandoned off Pernambuco, Brazil, 13 May 1884. Harriet Lane measured 270 feet long, 22 feet wide and 12 feet from the bottom of the hull to the main deck. Her propulsion was a double-right-angled marine engine with two side paddles, supported by two masts; the entire ship was sheathed and fastened with copper. From stern to bow, the captain's cabin and stateroom sat above an aft magazine, forward of which was a second magazine with the officer quarters above. Forward of this, in the midships was the engine machinery and coal supply, and beyond this the quarters and galley for the non-commissioned ranks which sat above a third magazine.

I am a non-recovering bibliophile...according to Wikipedia, The classic bibliophile is one who loves to read, admire and collect books, often amassing a large and specialized collection. Bibliophiles do not necessarily want to possess the books they love; an alternative would be to admire them in old libraries. However, the bibliophile is usually an avid book collector. Yep - that's me! Actually, it is apparently contagious. Between my long suffering Admiral in Chief who has upwards of 200 cookbooks and our other assorted collection, we have conservatively 1,500 volumes on a wide array of topics from History to Philosophy to our specialized Terrorism collection (work related, of course) and now nautical themed. The attached document is a listing of the print, PDF and a few on-line documents that are a part of the collection. Feel free to offer suggestions on books I should consider adding to my collection, and Happy Modeling! Wayne Neither should a ship rely on one small anchor, nor should life rest on a single hope. Epictetus Waynes Nautical Resource List ver 2 rev 11Feb13 for MSW.pdf