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rwiederrich

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Everything posted by rwiederrich

  1. rwiederrich
    Sailor.....The claim was focused upon the wooden Clipper design. When I mention this *Model*, I was referencing the Young American or Yankee Clipper *Model* which was not a composite design or a iron hull design which came later. Iron hulled designs were of European origin. Massive (2000+ tons) wooden hulled, fast clippers (American) and their immediate predecessor, the *Down Easter*. This MODEL was the subject of my claim of strength. I never suggested or said they were the *Ultimate in strength to withstand the punishment their masters gave them*. Up until the advent of the Clipper(American), no other ship design could withstand the grueling requirements of the True clipper (speed and hauling a specialized cargo) and their owners demanded it of them. It has been said and recorded that there are 4 things that qualify or enable a vessel to be considered a clipper. 1) A fine lined Hull, 2) an emphasis on a streamlined appearance, 3) A large sail area, and 4) a Daring and skillful master. I concur with you...no other ship design compared/s to the clipper design. She is the Belle of the Ball, and Ed has demonstrated that here with his Young America. Rob
  2. rwiederrich
    One thing I want to point out about clippers, is that they were build far and above what was normal practice. From their Massive keel and framing construction to their iron lattice cross bracing and the extensive use of iron and brass frame securing pins. So well built was the clipper design, with their long slender hulls, that new and improved methods were invented to prevent the dreaded *Hogging* effect that plagued long, narrow hulled ships. Not to mention the enormous spread of canvas and towering masts required to sustain them...because the goal was speed and the ship was required to sustainably wisthand the driving of their captains, who were rewarded with substantial bonuses if they *drove* their vessels and crews to near destruction. No other vessel design could meet this grueling requirement. The true simplicity in their overall lack of ornate embellishment was, in one regard, what made them so attractive and said to be the finest creation man could produce that sailed the seas, not to mention the most beautiful Model ever designed. Ed's exemplary reproduction is a marvel in of itself...but more so, demonstrates to us all the attention to strength the builders of these wooden Greyhounds designed into their creations to make their *Clippers* strong against the elements bent on tearing them apart. Not to mention their captains who pushed them to near destruction. Young America is an supreme example of all the elements of construction and design beautifully coming together to produce the best in naval architecture that endured for decades. Ed...I applaud you , not only for your mastery in building such a fine representation of this renowned model, but in demonstrating the same attention to detail that the original builders must have used to produce them. Rob
  3. rwiederrich
    Nice..... Rob
  4. rwiederrich
    Fantastic! Well done. Rob
  5. rwiederrich
    It may have been mentioned before...but what museum will be enjoying this fine model? Or is it a family room mantle piece? Rob
  6. rwiederrich
    Man well executed safe/storage preparation for the future. Will miss the log.... Rob
  7. rwiederrich
    Ed...Only 450 to go....... What a champ! Not only is your model exceptional...your use of time management is as well. I don't have the same hours in a day as you do apparently..... Rob
  8. rwiederrich
    Every aspect of your build is impeccable.
  9. rwiederrich
    Thank the Lord for masking tape....... Great job Ed..fantastic work. Rob
  10. rwiederrich
    Fantastic work Ed..one question..what is that chain doing in the inside ceiling framing of the deckhouse....? Rob
  11. rwiederrich
    The iron windjammers were an entirely different animal...so were the Down Easters...which immediately followed the clippers. The Glory of the Seas was Donald McKay's last Medium clipper and it was considered one of the first Down Easters. From what I gather the windjammers were slightly smaller then the Great Republic...however there are some examples that were larger. 4~5 masted monsters. These were not built for speed but for cargo carrying capabilities to brave the Horn. I have many books in my library on windjammers, I might just look that info up. Thanks for posting and for your interest. Rob
  12. rwiederrich
    Thanks everyone for the fine comments and compliments. I'm pleased, and now I have a nice tool to illustrate the size difference of many of the most famous Clippers that ever slid down the ways. It is unfortunate that more ships couldn't have been added... there are so many more I would have liked to included. But for such comparisons, most of the average, unknowledgeable would not notice their absence. All in all, I think I've laid out in an evolutionary manner, the progression from early smaller clippers to what has become realized in the mind of the greatest(IMV) Clipper builder...Donald Mckay..the Leviathan...Great Republic. Again...thank you gentlemen, and all who have enjoyed this adventure of mine, that has taken me years to realize and to bring to fruition. Rob
  13. rwiederrich
    Made some final mods to the clipper half hull plaque. I added a short epilogue and description made from a maple tree I cut down in the yard. Relocated the anchor as well. Now were to hang it.....MMMMMM Rob
  14. rwiederrich
    Thanks Pat. I have many scale models of clippers in my library/den/man cave..and about the rest of the home. However, they all tend to be within the same scale....but they are surely NOT in the same scale to one another...lending confusion to those who view them. For years, it troubled me that I had no way of demonstrating the actual size differences between many famous clippers. Not to mention that since the Cutty Sark is the most modeled clipper and by her, many if not most, think she was what could be considered an average, if not typical representation of the clipper model, failing to see the astounding truth of the matter. Clippers are profoundly an American expression...and with wood aplenty, size and luxury was left to the designers(and builders) skill and imagination . Not to be lost in the discussion, is also the fact that clipper designs(for a better and faster model) were being played out as they were being built. Not any two clippers are exactly alike...no two share the same design...for ever better designs were being experimented with in each new clipper sliding down the ways. I just hope I've turned the light on of understanding....of just how different and even drastic, comparing(IN SCALE) the extreme size difference there was within the small and short lived class of vessels that were called CLIPPERS. Thanks for your fine comments. Rob
  15. rwiederrich
    Patrick..it is the wide use of powered tools and mills and lathes and sanders that aids me in my hurried building adventure. It helps me refocus on the 4 other builds I'm currently tackling. A side project motivates me to keep going with the others. Sometimes I wonder if I'm over doing it.. Thanks for the fine compliment and encouragement. Rob
  16. rwiederrich
    Almost finished....A few more items to add.
  17. rwiederrich
    Personally I think your metal work is superb and quite phenomenal. With that said, my practice is to paint all my iron work...knowing some form of preservative was actually used on iron ships, and or on their iron accessories..(.ie Cutty Sark)...So I Paint...in much the same manner as was typical. With this being said..it allows me to use what ever medium I choose to replicate the iron work...without the tedium of actually creating real miniature (Copper, brass) iron work. Paint covers a multitude of sins. Rob(love your work and enjoy every minute)
  18. rwiederrich
    You know...with all that black iron used for banding and bracing..there must have been some painting of it as well..because there would have been an excessive amount of rusty metal on these ships if not. I'd imagine these bands would have been bright orange by the end of a salty voyage...not to mention all of the other metal work aboard on other structures. Any clue on its preservation Ed? Rob
  19. rwiederrich
    Ed...try Cast Your Anchor.com...they sell 42 lpi and many other sizes. Rob
  20. rwiederrich
    Wonderful work.... Rob
  21. rwiederrich
    I worked a bit on the plaque by adding the name plates. I ran out of labeling so I'll get some tomorrow. Rob
  22. rwiederrich
    Oh boy what an experiment that might be. Over the weekend I cut the backing and made the frame for the half hull plaque. Painted the backing green trimmed the frame in antique gold and added the half hulls to it. This week I'll begin making the name plates for each hull. These will be made on maple strips of wood, embellished with some minor carving on the ends. The goal is to then add another small internal framed plaque (off to right in the upper corner)with a short description of the American clipper ship era and note some builders info. Then to finish I will antique the entire plaque by rubbing a very thin layer of stain over the entire surface....in effect edging and detailing(weathering/aging) and finishing the plaque. Images will follow. Rob
  23. rwiederrich
    Indeed...960 tons compared to 4555 tons. And the Great Republic was just as much a fast *Extreme* clipper as was any before or after. The idea of size was McKay's idea that the latitudes of the *Roaring Forties* needed a large stout shipt to endure the extreme weather found in those Souther parts around the horn and off to Australia. Rob
  24. rwiederrich
    I myself can only guess as well..but this image of a steel yard gives a clue. They may have been simply placed and through sail forces simply remained. Rob
  25. rwiederrich
    Fantastic job Ed. Surprising enough, but I found it interesting that the Stunsails booms in many cases were made from Bamboo. Light and tough. Love your metal work as usual. Rob

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