Keith Black

I was finally able to finally log on this morning at 4:24 EDT and there were four of us logged on. That's the least number of MSW members I've ever seen logged on, it was weird. I logged out and came back a couple of hours later and our site was down again. I logged on just now and I'm grateful to see we're back up and running in fine fashion. If during this outage you discovered how much you truly missed being able to log on to MSW to enjoy all the benefits that MSW provides and you're not a NRG member, then help by financially supporting MSW by becoming a NRG member.

Congratulations, Steven. A remarkable journey with a wonderful ending.

I don't know so this is total spitballing..........could it that that the higher middle ring was used for the outhaul when the cannon was firing in a more or less level position. The cannon's weight would be more to the middle of the carriage. And the rear ring was used when the cannon was firing in an elevated position because the cannon's weight would be more to the rear of the carriage? As I said, spitballing.

Very nice, Mark. Lovely work.

You might try using wire for the handle and card for the blade

Allen, it looks like a Dahlgren. Dahlgren cannon looked like the old round bottom soda bottles. The Parrott Rifle.

Chaz. welcome to MSW. Glad to have you aboard.

If you run the planks horizontal you can make shelf space for all those tiny bits that take flight.

Brain, looking really swell. Are you going to do the taping and bedding yourself?

Very very nice, Bob. Wonderful job.

Gary, I've too much respect to yank your chain. I shouldn't have said "This is what separates modelers from us hacks" I should have said, this is what separates the masters from us beginners, my sincerest apologies to anyone that I may have offended. To me, the definition of a master modeler is one who can loft and then transfer that information into building a hull. I am in awe of modelers with that ability along with the joinery, metal working, carving, rigging, and painting skills all the while maintaining historical accuracy. It leaves me absolutely stunned. The work becomes more than mere modeling, it becomes artistry, plain and simple. When I stand at the bottom of the scaffolding and look up at the Michelangelos of model ship building it's easy for me to dismiss my work. Any success I've had is owed to being a MSW member and having the opportunity to look over the shoulders of you my fellow members.

Someday when I grow up I'd like to be able to what you've done, Gary. This is what separates modelers from us hacks.

Diego, welcome to MSW. Glad to have you aboard.

Thank you, Keith. I'm not sure what grey areas you're referring to but a nagging grey area for me, in regards to the ventilators, is how they were rigged for deployment. Even though they were a temporary element they still had to be hoisted into position. I don't know (nor can I tell from the photos) if a block was permanently attached to the shroud line above the opening and used to hoisted the ventilator into position? It could be that rings were sewn into the ventilator's top and wing tips and lines were tied to the rings and the lines were drawn up the shroud lines from the foremast top thus pulling the ventilator into position? No downhaul would have been necessary as the ventilator would have been gathered in by hand. THAT grey area needs enlightenment and is all part of the joy of building from photographs. I swear, if I build another ship it's gonna be a kit with plans!

A better computer would be a lot cheaper in the long run.

Sal, I finally remembered. https://www.bluejacketinc.com/shop/fittings/on-deck/eagle/stern/f0600-15-16-wide/

Keith, it's not so much my eyes, it has more to do with being able to view photos on our iMac 27.

Sal, I had a difficult time finding an eagle with its head turned to the right and wings straight or slightly bent down. it seems almost all images have the eagle's head turned to the left with wings lifted. I searched for months and finally found a small gold eagle for a charm bracelet on eBay (inexpensive) that was the right scale. A year later I saw where a supplier carried small carved eagles that would have been perfect but for the life of me I can't remember the supplier. This might be a case where 3D printing would be the best bet unless you plan on carving one yourself.

Glad you're feeling better, Keith and it's nice to see you making progress.

Thank you for the compliment, Gary. Metal ventilators were fine when the ship was underway but when the ship was docked or at anchor not enough fresh/cool air was being introduced into the ship so they deployed the canvas/sailcloth ventilators in opened hatches and companionways to compensate. I would think that during hot weather the canvas/sailcloth ventilators would have been a necessity.

Sweet.

Thank you, Glen.

Brian, if the gun crew is firing the Parrott in the stowed position it is truly a bad day for the entire ship's crew because the gun crew has mutinied! 😀

Thank you to all who joined in on the lantern discussion and thank you to all for the compliments and the likes. Early on when I was trying to determine what the arrow was pointing to in the below photo, forward of the 60 pound Parrott I assumed it was bitts and modeled same. Only after Eberhard's keen observation of the canvas/sailcloth ventilator did the light come on and I realized that what I had imagined as bitts was in fact an access hatch. After many efforts (I think this is access hatch 9.0) I finally came up with the below, a canvas covered access. The canvas is rolled on the forward edge when opened. I tried creating a sense of depth as best I could in a 0.1 inches of space. When the ventilator is added very little of the inside access will be seen. The inside dimensions are 0.3 x 0.45 inches, the ventilator's finished diameter will be 0.3 inches representing three feet in scale. Only after rigging is complete will I model the ventilator but after giving it considerable thought over the past three weeks I confident I'll be able to do so successfully. I think the access was only open when the Parrott required powder and shell or when the canvas/sailcloth ventilator was deployed. The forecastle was ladder accessible to and from the main deck. I went through my library of photos after Eberhard mentioned the rarity of photos showing canvas/sailcloth ventilators. The below photo is the Tennessee, number's 1, 3 and 4 are obvious but 2 is a bit strange? The above photo enhanced as best I could. This image of the Tennessee seems to show a ventilator hanging (drying?) on the starboard side of the foremast. This is not the Tennessee but I think it is a US screw frigate. This image shows six canvas/sailcloth ventilators deployed. The above photo enhanced as best I could. I've chased enough rabbits, time to get rigging productive! Thank you to all for following along........Keith