rwiederrich

Another image of the clipper Amy Turned....showing no evidence of the famous, McKay *Hood*. Notice how the stem is utterly unprotected, and vulnerable?

Witty tongue and cheek....I suppose they could if that tactic was used for changing the subject. When one compiles all the facts.....one would wonder why then, when Duncan McLean says clearly that a patent windless was mounted under the forecastle, beneath her patented capstan.....that scale model drawers of her plans, always draw the standard wood windless at the edge of her forecastle deck....causing modelers to inaccurately model her forecastle and windless.......? Now THAT is the true act of piracy....IMV. Excerpt from Clipperfan: " Donald McKay jealously guarded his nautical design secrets. I believe he was so successful that one of his key components have been lost to Modeler's for centuries. Until now. Thanks to Michael Mjelde's generosity in sharing ultra rare Glory of the Seas photos, we now have incontrovertible proof of these rare structures. But you don't have to take my word for it. Here are excerpts from The Boston Daily Atlas write-up: "She has neither head nor trailboards, but forming the extreme, where the line of the planksheer and the carved work on the naval hoods terminate, she has the full figure of an angel on the wing, with a trumpet raised to her mouth "... Later in his description of this largest merchant ship in the world, McLean observes the ruggedness of this unique bow structure: "Her hood ends are bolted alternately from either side, through each other and the stem so that the loss of her cutwater would not affect her safety or cause a leak." (italics added by me to emphasize specific components) Here's a link to the entire article: http://www.bruzelius.info/Nautica/News/BDA/BDA(1851-04-25).html"

Which surely cannot mean anything to do with the Howes hole. If rightly understood the termination of the hood and planksheer simply indicates the point at to where the figurehead is located. Reference the photo I posted of Atheana on Glory of the Seas. She does NOT rest her feet at that point...then begin her extension forward.......No...she is in general marked out by the termination of these structures. She IS forward and, for structural purposes, bolted BELOW as well. Still, this is not in violation of McLeans description. If you refer to Glory as if she was Flying Cloud, in the description....it becomes very clear. Rob

However, it is interpreted....It appears that the structure is more then just *support beams* aiding to anchor cable/chain threading. Nearly all descriptions depict Carving and gilding on the Hoods. Now, since no other vessel retained these McKay *beaks*, and our full grasp of Duncan McLean's description can't be entirely realized. It is a proper thing to refer to the structure as a McKay *hood*. But regardless as to our agreement on its naming...it is undeniable these structures were the *secret* McKay reinforced his stems on his clippers with. Leading Rich Jones, to conclude, that every drawing and model of McKay clippers are represented inaccurately. Glory of the Seas is the Key, without the clear unpublished photographs, provided to me by my friend and historian and author, Michael Mjelde, I and Rich would have never had the proof/evidence, of Donald McKay's ingenious, McKay hood. Rob

So, just follow the line of the planksheer up that forms the top edge of the hood....there is where the figurehead is located. Look at the image of Glory of the Seas Atheana. she is under the hood and she is where the planksheer and hood leading edge terminate. the figurehaed must firmly be secured to the bottom of the hood is if is to survive....just like GotS. Rob

The difficulty with it NOT being...if it could be. would be the feet of the angel are the only things securing the figurehead to the stem...that and possible a bit of the aft of the wings. Atheana, the Indian goddess figurehead of Glory of the seas is secured from her back to the naval hood and her feet to the prow of the stem. Securing her very well. This is in part why we feel the hood was a very significant structure to the entire security of the stem and cutwater. Simply sticking the figurehead to the tip of the stem is hardly secure. Duncan McLean's very detailed descriptions of Flying Cloud and Stag Hounds structures is our source, in part. Rob

One of the difficulties we are having with this interpretation is that the bowsprit is flexible and to secure the figurehead to it, would surely mean you may lose the figurehead during bad weather...due to extreme flexure and sheer.

There is strong evidence the Naval Hood was on the Staghound....prior to Flying Cloud. We cannot be distracted by bias , blindly ignoring a practice that was clearly evident on his last clipper. Proof evident. And no other shipwright employed this unique structure. This is why Rich Jones and myself have dedicated over 18 years of our time to researching and re-imagining the secret structures of Donals McKay's fantastic clippers. Richard Jones (Clipperfan) is more of a zeolite then I am concerning this overlooked structure. Maybe he'll pipe in...... Rob

Even Mckay's own hand drawings of Star of Empire and Chariot of Fame...shows an extended stem far outside the typical reduced version seen on line drawings. It is unclear from this image...ut it can be devised it is a more pronounced and curved prow then on other protypical line drawings. Notice the extended *Beek* underneath the bowsprit? Rob

McKay left off all the bow details from his drawings......even from his half hull lofting models. here is a rendering made by Rich Jones....of Flying Clouds bow with the hood. Rob

Champion of the Seas 1854 definitely shows a structure above and behind the figurehead . Not super clear, but evidence the figurehead is not simply pressing up against the bowsprit. there is evidence of ornate cheeks as well.....similar to Glory of the Seas. Rob

The top trim of the Hood is the trim of the planksheer. Rob

Scott...all those drawing are not showing the location of the Naval hood in proximity to the stem of the cutwater. McKay never drew the hood on any of his drawings...probably to protect it). Here is our drawing of Glory of the Seas...you can see the large Hood under the bowsprit and above the cutwater. Below the hood (with its carved liefing's) is the ornate cheek that adorns the stem and is under the feet of the figurehead

Pat...Hi. Yes I have heard of these Howes *Hoods* that you are speeking of. However, as I mentioned to Scott...this term probably underwent a bit of transformation, since McKay's use, and Duncan McLeans description of it on McKay clipper bows. Photographic evidence proves, McKay clippers possessed this unique feature.....all else did not. It is also very reasonable to assume since McKay used this feature on his last clipper...he used it on all or most of his clippers....with the extreme exception example of his massive Great Republic. Rob

From Great extensive research Richard Jones (Clipperfan), and I have determined that the term (Post the clipper ship era), that time after Donald McKay built his clippers...the term evolved. The examples you have presented are of vessels, that post date 1869. McKay was adamant about his bow secrets on his clippers and his *Naval Hood* as we have described it is only found on McKay clippers. His unique application of this structure greatly strengthened the cutwater and stem of the bow. It is not unrealistic to assume, McKay would utilize this feature on all of his vessels....if he used it on his last. Clippers like the Great Admiral and the clipper frigate Admiral Webb were typical of the clipper bow of the time. NO McKay *Naval Hood*, supporting the stem. Damage from high seas regularly occurred, but with Mckay's designed *(Hood)*...such disaster was avoided. Not forgetting to mention, that the Hood also added greatly to the support of the figurehead. Edit: "The GREAT ADMIRAL was built in 1869 by Robert E. Jackson at East Boston for William F. Weld & Co., who at that time had the largest sailing fleet under the American flag. Her figurehead was a life-sized image of Admiral Farragut and still is preserved on the Weld estate near Boston."

In later clippers(1869)...bulleyes were employed instead of deadeyes. Note the bobstays, head tackle.

I think some fudging will need to take place. My initial measurments.....made the premade fixtures appear too large...but Staghound was a much smaller and sharper vessel then was Glory of the Seas...which I still have rattling around my brain. Further evaluations will happen after I get the hull planked. Rob

As with Glory of the Seas...I will be using an image to model my likeness....and I chose this painting. I plan on modeling her exactly as depicted in the painting, How fun. Rob

Harry...fine work, however, I don't mean to be a Debbie downer, but your chain guys, port and starboard are too long. They should terminate on the hull, just in front of the catheads. Otherwise, the anchor would become fouled in them. They are behind the Catheads and cross right under the catheads. Making raising and lowering the anchors very problematic. Do you see? Sorry. Rob

It's a safe bet to keep this *running* rigging black...to represent the tarring. It had to be preserved or it would rot. Lanyards were extremely susceptible to rot...being soaked in sea water and generally tightly fit...preventing good air circulation. When the USS Constitution was recently rerigged...her naval architects chose black rigging for the lanyards , foot ropes and ratlines. If they concluded it was appropriate...you can too. All my clipper builds are rigged with black rigging for these standing fixtures. Rob

Just amazing work on those skylights. Rob

Been enjoying your log....and I must say...you produce some of the finest quality work, I have seen. Great job. Rob

Sometimes Revelation is the fuel for motivation. I use steal wire, which does not abrade and is more naturally Pro typical. IMV. New ideas and material are always on the radar. Good job everyone. Rob

Just remember....there are no photos of Flying cloud....just models and speculation. Duncan McLean describes her hull and deck furniture the best.....however. The photos I provided of Glory of the Seas...McKay's last clipper Must be your best option. I cannot assume he would have done things differently. These images are *EVIDENCE*. Will you be correcting the kits cutwater and stem to replicate as she was originally built. Utilizing McKay's secret *Naval Hood* design? Contemporary paintings and models clearly get her bow wrong...simply sticking the figurehead on the stem. This photograph of Glory of the Seas....depicts McKay's famous *Naval Hood*. Note the location of the figurehead...on the Hood under the bowsprit! Drawing by Clipperfan. Rob

In this close-up of Glory of the Seas...you can clearly see the fore topmast stay pass through the Bees....and back toward the root of the bowsprit...where it terminates. Not sure if McKay used this arrangement on Flying Cloud. She still sported single topsails. Near twenty years separates their evolutions.