rwiederrich

The Gory had several refits and modifications done to her during her career...I'm modeling her prior to her 1872 refit when she still possessed her topmast cross trees and before she was fitted with her cabin boy cabin, just aft of her mainmast and when her boats were removed from the main cabin roof and re positioned over that cabin and the forward portion of the poop cabin. Plus I will be modeling her when her helm cabin did not extend into the aft poop cabin. During her life her original composite lower masts were replaced by single stick masts...but again...I'll be modeling the composite masts..which were comprised of four main tongue and groove sections all strapped together with iron bands.

Nearly everything had to be removed or relocated on the CS hull to accommodate the new location on the Glory hull. Howes holes needed relocating...cheek plates and figurhead. I used maple veneer for the decks and oak , mahogany and redwood for structures.

Another just after modifications from the CS Revell hull.

Being new to these pages i thought if fitting to begin my own build log of the medium clipper I'm building of the Glory of the Seas...Donald McKay's last clipper. I chose this fine vessel because she was not only Donald McKay's last but she spent much of her later years in the Tacoma/Seattle area....where I live and she ended her days just miles from here south of Seattle as a burnt out hulk. I drew much of her documented history from many sources, namely from Richard McKay's book, *Donald McKay and his Famous sailing ships*, local historian, Jay Mjelde, author of several books, *Clipper ship Captains, Daniel McLaughlin and the Glory of the Seas* , and *Glory of the Seas*, by same. Note to the reader: I also utilized other resources, such as Crothers fine book, *The American build Clipper Ship*, and a nearly un-numberable library of resources. Unlike many here...I work in multi mediums to achieve my goals...and am not ashamed to admit...I will re-engineer anything and everything to achieve these goals. First it must be known...I am a lazy model builder....wanting expeditious results......means I forgo much in the way of frame construction(I figure I'm covering it up and painting it...why bother). I do. however....scratch build everything above the weather deck and masts/yards and rigging. I currently use the 1/96 scale hull from the Revell Cutty Sark kit as the beginning of my build...knowing full well much is needed to correct design issues......however..once cutwater rake issues are corrected for said model and stern corrections are also made....I then proceed to tackle the deck and its houses and furniture. Much of this *Modification* will be eliminated for times sake. Here is an image of the hull after it has been correctly modified.

And this?

Just one more thought Ed..will you be building her in this fashion...like the antique model of the Thermopylae?

Good clarity Ed. Rob

Great thought John...after lots of reading it appears insurers might have something to say about ship construction.....the ships/cargo they insure . Rob

That's right Ed......that is what I love about this hobby.....everyone can approach building in the medium they prefer and to the extent they prefer...all because we enjoy the feeling of the build. I'm enjoying this fully. Rob

I have built many clippers...of course they were heavily modified from existing Revell Cutty Sark hulls which I used as my starting point. Then by utilizing plans I rebuilt the hulls to the hulls of the ships I was building. Then I scratch build the rest entirely...Unless some universal components could be recycled...I did so. Your builds are entirely of a different breed.......entirely. I can appreciate the willingness it must take to build every structural component from original plans in the manner and attention to detail as the original builder(Webb,etc) However...I'm generally lazy and I don't like covering up what I spend hours(days) building...so I have fallen off the purist truck...into the external, *That looks just like her* crowd of builder. All the while straying away from the time consuming hours of actually building her to be exactly like her......crowd. I'm impressed and I hope to glean enormous amounts, no volumes..of information from you, during this build. Rob

Fascinating Ed....just fascinating. Your attention to detail is most impressive and I am sure will result in a magnificent model. Can't wait. Have you built any other clippers....I'm getting the impression you have? Rob

Yes nomenclature can be tough some times. Clipper packet or Medium clipper....? Guess it depends on what your rival prefers. The YA was an extreme clipper..built for speed and not so much on capacity. Regardless.. .I am thrilled you are taking this ship on and for what ever reasons you have concluded are good to you. Crothers, *The American Built Clipper Ships* has nice renderings of her figurehead and cheek details...and MacGreggor's *British and American Clipper ships...has a nice scaled line drawing of her hull and her decks and sail plan. Good luck and fair weather as you begin this wonderful build. Rob

"On McKay - thats where I was headed, but found Webb ships a lot more interesting. I think McKay was more media savvy and has somehow come out on top of history's popularity contest. Interestingly three of the most notable clipper designers - Webb, McKay and Griffiths - all apprenticed together under Isaac Webb, Williams father. " I'm not so sure. The YA was only 243' and had a simple deck plan with simple raised poop and forcastle. Where as the Donald McKay was the second largest clipper made next to the Great Republic and she had a large for cabin, 1/3 poop deck and gangways that connected the forecastle, across the top of the forward cabin to the raised poop deck. Her removable hatch cabins and ample skylights, along with her 6 flush deck capstans add loads of detail. However....preferences are very important and from what I gather from your previous detailed builds..the Young America will be given great respect and attention to her fine details.....one build which I plan of following most closely. Good luck and great patience. Rob

Oh my...finally someone other then myself is building clippers. I have fully enjoyed your historical outline and description of the Young America. I am a clipper fan and they are my favorite design. I am currently building the Glory of the Seas. by Donald McKay. I too am very fond of American wood clippers...and I had entertained the notion of building the YA myself...but Opted on Mckay's last ship rather then Webb's. I have only built one plank on frame and that was a scratch build similar to yours. I have since become a kit basher and I utilize the hull from the Revell 1/96 scale clipper Cutty Sark and heavily modify it to accommodate the required design differences of the clipper I am building. I then scratch build enverything else...with some exceptions of some deck furniture items. My next ships will be the Donald McKay. I'm looking forward to your build and will follow most closely. Rob