canoe21

Sorry it’s been so long since my last pictures.  It’s been one of those times when everything that could go wrong did.  Let’s leave it at that.  I have however finished the Lettie to the admiral’s delight.  She is now dressed in all her sails and rigging.  So here she is in all her finery.
 
 

 

 

 
 
Don't know what is next.  The admiral likes to see sails but I'm leaning towards a launch.  We'll see.
 
Bob

I just found out some information about the Lettie.  Back in July, John Cole, here on MSW, started to build America’s cup racer Puritan.  Since Puritan is on my “to build” list, I decided to do some research on her.  She was designed by Edward Burgess who also designed cup racers Mayflower and Volunteer.  About that same time (1888) Burgess was approached to build a schooner.  For two years his schooner won every race it was in.  It was then sold to the fishing fleet.  That boat was the Fredonia.  Because of its speed the Fredonia was copied several times. Those boats were referred to as Fredonia models.  The Lettie G. Howard was the last of the Fredonia models.
 
This is not a model of a brand new boat.  This boat has been around and working for a while, first as a private yacht, then as a cod fisher and finally as a mackerel fisher.  This model is of the mackerel boat.  You’ll notice that the rigging is not consistent.  That is to say the fore mast is not a copy of the main mast etc.  That is because as modifications and changes were made they used what was “at hand” as long as it worked.
 
Now some pictures of the build at present.  A lot of MSW members publish pictures with each add they make.  I don’t seem to be able to do that.  So here are a lot of little things.  Still a long way to go. 
 
Bob
 

Over all
 

Main halyard
 

Fore halyard
 

Jombo jib halyard
 

Bowsprit shrouds
 

Bowsprit
 

Main gaff
 

Fore gaff
 

Spring lines
 
 
 
 

Finally I feel I know enough to start the rigging.  I did the starboard shrouds, the fore stay and the spring lines.  I had to do the deadeye lacing three times and the spring lines twice.  I made a jig to help make the thimbles but I’m still scrap a lot.  I may have to remake the jig.  Still a long way to go but at least I’m started.
 
Bob
 

                         Starboard side
 

                         Main shrouds
 

                        Fore shrouds
 

                        Main topmast looking aft
 

                        Main masthead
 

                        Fore masthead

Part two:
 
Front block of the boom guy.  When going down wind this would be fastened forward on the rail to prevent jibing.

 
Aft boom guy block and upper sheet block.

 
End of boom showing band for sail clew and topping lift rigging.

 

 
I'm trying to break this up so it makes sense.
 
More to follow.
 
Bob

After many hours of research, mostly in reading and re-reading the last half of Chapelle’s book on fishing schooners and many hours on the web.  I finally think I know the rigging of a fishing schooner, at least the way the Lettie G. Howard will be rigged.  I also decided that the saying, ‘Each part is a model’ is true.  So I made a holder for the main mast.  I mounted the fittings and pulled thread through the blocks to check everything.  When the mast is on the boat, the thread will be replaced with rope.  I will also add the shrouds at that time.  So here are pictures of the main mast, boom and gaff.  Relooking at the pictures I just realized I need to add fairleads, one or two on the boom and a couple at the crosstree.  I have new respect for you who build the square rigged ships with all their rigging.
 
Bob
 

 

 

 

Well it’s been a month since I entered any pictures and on the one hand I’m sorry to have so little to show, on the other hand, when the HAER got the Lettie for documentaion the masts had been stripped and removed, so there are no rigging diagrams for her.    So I have had the fun of trying to decipher the information in Chappelle’s book, “The American Fishing Schooner”.   It’s a lot of, which one of the many ways to rig the bow sprit do I use?  Big boat or small, this year or that and then is it like this boat or that.  There is no index for the second half of the book, it is supposedly in alphabetical order.   So you look at the drawing of the fife rail and there is information about the mast that is not shown anywhere else.  So after going through it time and time again I made my own table of contents.  Anyway enough of that.  Before I could do the masts and spars I had to figure out how many blocks of what size and where mounted and do I use just the haulyard or do I use the haulyard jig also.  I have come up with a diagram in my head that I will use, hopefully it will not have to change too many times.  So here is the start, the masts.  I’m open to any comments, when it comes to rigging I‘m definitely not an expert.
 
Bob
 

 

 

Main mast
 

Fore mast
 

The deck is almost done.  I apologize for not taking pictures of the parts as I built them.  I tend to get carried away with the build and don’t think of pictures until it’s too late.  I still need to put pin rails near the dead eyes and cut the samson or pawl post to the right height.  I also need to add supports for the deck boat.  The mackerel boats towed a seine boat which was around forty feet long but they also carried a dory on deck.   
 
Bob
 

 

They put braces on the corners of the skylight to keep the lines from snagging.
Apparently they were not concerned with the smoke stack.
 

 

 

 

 
 

Hi Lawrence, thank you for the kind words that you gave to my schooner, makes me glad that my modest model you liked it. I am sure that you will do a great job !!!
Mauro

I was a bad boy........I got caught sanding in the living room.  just fitting the ribs wasn't good enough....and I got sent to the table.  the second one is done by this time.......only the bow rabbits need to be put on.
 

 
the third one is in the works now.........
 

 

 
with the first one,  the last rib at the stern was shaped per the tracings.  with the other two,  this last rib is altered......cut straight across.   not that it's a huge problem,  but when sanded and the deck platform is in place,  it will have something to be cemented to.  I'll just lay a beam across the first one.  the bow rabbits are sanded with the aide of the belt sander.  my cuts were not the greatest......the thin blade broke and I couldn't find the others,  so I put the thicker blade back in to cut them.  this just means that I have a lot of extra faring to do.   I also think this project will better acquaint me with the dremel....brand new and hardly used.
 

 
they are all assembled now....bow rabbits are all in place.  the glue wasn't totally dry yet,  so they still have their nose rings .....Hee.....Hee.   Moe......Larry.......and Curly
 

 

 
here is a better look at the stern alteration
 

 
the bow rabbits jut out a bit from the stems on two of them.......I'll just angle the cuts and blend them in with the stem.
 

 
I need to get some 1/16 flat stock for the decking,  and I'm debating whether or not,  to say the heck with it and plank the bulwarks.   making the bulwark panels with flat stock,  might make it easier to do the scuppers,  but I don't want to run into the same problems I had with the original Boulogne.  I'll wait and see the best way to go.   I pretty much have the table cleared off.......I've been putting my stuff away for the move.  I have already brought a few ships up there,  and anything we aren't going to use, down to the cellar.......my legs are tired.  should be an interesting couple of weeks 
 

 
 
 
 

what can I say Ed......she's my sounding board.   I've run many ideas by her........a few times,  even  pulled up some pictures for me.  she won't do sails though     it's nice to hear that other folks have admirals that are behind them in what they do.......I know Michael's does.
 
thanks Michael......it would be even more fun if both boats were up to snuff with one another.  the real fun part is yet to come....outfitting them 
 
thanks John for the vote of confidence.   now all I need is for Phyl to see your post........I can just hear it now......."see......even he knows you can do it!"   I'm thinking...........
 
I guess you can say that.....get a bunch of revved up carolers on board........someone sneaks some beverage on board {name your poison}.........they'll be kum-buya 'round that tree in no time!    the results of the scavenger hunts have to be kept sealed for the time being.  Christmas is a time of surprises......t'wouldn't be fun if you knew what you were getting       thanks for the good word Lawrence.
 
thanks to all who hit the like button

Latest photos of the model, now my schooner is over.
Mauro
 

Some details of the sails ....
Mauro

I painted and placed the crew of the schooner, although their poses do not seem willing to work hard !!!
Mauro

I did do a bit more to help strengthen the helm.  I had mentioned to the admiral that I was favoring the lighting kit.......we kicked that ball around a little bit.      then we started to muse over this one.....the possibility of lighting it came into the picture  {my god.......she thinks I can do anything!}  Boy!  don't I have her snowed!   
 
I ran some framing along the bottom of the windows and started to install the dash.  I might add in a cabin door...engine  access and such.
 

 

I forget when..........I'm just a modeler!     I'm lucky to remember my own birthday.   makes me glad I did the one on Word Press...sad thing is....it don't have all of the comments everyone posted on it.........it was such a fun build
 
As for progress........I don't have much,  but it's a tiny step forward.   the framed wall at the transom has now been sheeted.......it will have flush mounted windows.
 

 
....and a look at the interior
 

 
after almost breaking the frames for the helm for the second time....I thought it best to add some frame work to it as well.   I want to try something a little different with this one...I still have some figuring out to do.
 

 
I gave the roof line at the windshield a wide border,  and then lined the sides of the roof line with some 1/16 square strip.  going down the sides,  I used 1/16 X 1/8 strip stock.  I also laid some 1/16 pieces on both sides of the helm,  at the main deck ......takes care of those tiny gaps...hee....hee 
 

 
well,  that's about as far as I got..........ran back and fourth helping the admiral today.   we made what we yanks call  'woopie pies'  {chocolate cake with creme filling}.   then bran muffins........yea.......yea....I know........'cuz I'm such a regular guy! 

I started working on the funnels.  This proved different in that some of the ways of putting it together were a little varied.
The first thing was to cut it out and begin the assembly.



I was not happy with the stiffness of the material so I glued together a couple of plugs out of stock and wrapped the funnels around them.
The pipe was next.  This stuff needed extra care it was delicate even doubled over.  Once touched up it was glued on.




So far so good.
David B
 

Hi Lawrence.
 
Thanks for the kind words.
 
Before the actual planking of the bow area started, I carefully measured and marked the centreline. Secondly, I made the two water planks, without any cut outs for the stepped planks. The water planks were then dry fitted to the deck. Then I laid the deck, plank by plank, starting from the centreline. When I came to the first stepped plank, it was cut to the correct shape, and a similar cut out was made to the water plank. Having completed the planking, the water planks were removed and painted white. The deck were sanded and painted to its final color, and the water planks were glued in place. 
 
As always, continuos and careful measuring helped me to achieve a nice results. I also made sure that all the planks were similar in terms of width. 
 
The only thing I regret is that I didn't do any planking buts. The would have been an excellent addition to the level of detail.
 
You will find a few pictures in the beginning of my log, I am sorry that I don't have any more of the detailed progress.
 
Thanks for dropping by.
/Alfons
 
Ps. Your HMS Victory looks even more fantastic with the addition of a crew, a true masterpiece.

Hi Mates,
 
Thanks for your thoughtful comments as well as for just dropping buy, always a pleasure and a source of encouragement.
 
Continuing with the cannon doors;
 
All doors have been sized given the minor size variations on the ports. As Nigel pointed out, my errors were actually in keeping with the way Vasa was probably assembled given its early 16th century birth. Love it when my errors turn out to be OK J
 
Started to put together the opening and closing rope pulls, getting there, need 100 altogether. For the much less visible opening pulls (doors will be open almost vertically) I will only do a single rope wrap not a double, as I’m doing for the closing ropes
 
Those nails will double as the door hinges
 
Using the Proxxon to drill through the door and the inserts. I will use the same hole for the pull and pull eyelets.
Again, thanks for taking your time following along, dropping in or just passing by.
 
Regards,
 
Michael
 
 
 
 

Jadzo,
 
Thanks for your kind remarks. Regarding the figures, no no primer was use. I just washed the figures, and using hobby paint just applied it directly upon the gilded metal. All the colors adhered very easily.
 
Thanks for dropping by.
 
MIchael

While I'm making deadeyes, chain plates and siezings....I installed the ship's bell. It's eight bells now, so I have to run.

Wayne, could you use something like what I did for my top decks?  Run a section of planking or if you don't want any curve, use a larger stiff piece, and maybe build up the inside to match the curve, and use rubber bands to hold it down.
 
Something like this, but with the plank/board run through the frames, under the deck to stick out to either side, and then run the rubber band from one side to the other as needed to keep pressure on.  I'll remove the pictures after you've seen them if you'll remind me!
 

 
 

So - not quite ready for pictures yet, but have gotten quite a bit done on the old girl this month.  About 2/3 of the way through installing the ceiling, have started framing the wet well, and have the cabing bunks and sole all installed. 
 
Once I get the mid-ship sole installed and finish installing the ceiling I will post some photo's.  Right now, I am struggling with how to clamp the ceiling planks at the curve of the bilge.  No room from below, clamps are too short to come from above. 
 
The area that is giving me fits is right along the sole shown in this picture.
 

 
Given my mechanical skills are minimal (I can change a light bulb, but no metal working talent or experience) and my tools are limited to simple hand tools, any ideas on a good clamping technique that I can devise without having to hire a machinist?
 
Will post a full update with pictures later this week.  Thanks, all!

Good evening, one and all.  It has been quite some time since my last update - but here at last is one!
 
After spending more than a month not even picking up a piece of sandpaper or fitting a plank to the Essex, I have brought the Emma C. Berry back to the build table - being able to actually see the progress on her is quite rewarding.
 
Have been continuing my work on the interior details.  Continued fitting out the cabin, installed the rest of the ceiling on the port side and most of the ceiling on the starboard side as well - leaving a gap for a peep hole from the outside.
 
My biggest sense of accomplishment, though, is the progress on the wet well.  I intend to leave it at this stage - will be painting the interior in a red bottom paint color, but leaving a couple of planks bare to simulate repairs underway.  Will also be finishing the bulkhead at the forward end of the cabin (in progress) - that will extend all the way to the deck beams (they are only dry-fitted for now to aid in the wet well construction and cabin bulkhead installation).
 
The black square will have a sand base inside and then I will be making a small stove for the cabin - that may take a bit of trial and error!
 
Since I intend to display her as a working vessel undergoing some minor replanking (both deck and hull), I opted for somewhat of a "stained" or "tarnished" look for the ceiling.  Will also be distressing some of the other paint as well when the time gets closer.
 
At any rate, here are the latest set of photos - ENJOY!!!
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 

So, then - a detailed update for you.
 
I am still working on the interior - this takes a good bit of careful measurement, cutting, sanding, throw it away and do it again.  But, I am learning as I go, and more importantly, having fun!
 
So - since last we chatted, I have nearly completed the ceiling along the port side.  Have one small piece to fit in that I pulled after applying primer (just didn't look right).
 
Photo the first - a view of the interior work in-progress.  As you can see, I have started fitting the wet well as it serves as a guide (sort of) for the ceiling.
 

 
I temporarily fit the deck beams that the corner posts will terminate on as a clamping (and measuring) point for the corner posts.
 

 
Over the next few evenings I began to add planking for the wet well.  I am foing to plank the port and forward sides to the top (deck beams) and leave the starboard and aft sides at least partly unplanked to allow a view inside the wet well.  The frames at the bottom remain exposed - will be painted with simulated waterproofing.  The hull planking will serve as the actual bottom for the wet well with 130 some odd small holes drilled to through to allow water to circulate (at least on the real vessel.  I will probably only do a couple of dozen).
 

 

 
This gives a nice view from the starboard side of the bedlogs and frames.  I need to do a bit of cleanup on the painting here.

 
Another view of the ceiling on the port side showing the missing piece I need to replace

 

 
And a final view of the ceiling on both sides forward.

 
Well, no gratuitious pictures at the bay today - been a wet, rainy day.  Maybe next time!
 
For now, though, the ECB moves back to the storage shaelf and the Essex comes back down for a bit of work.  Look forward to any recommendations on how I can make the ECB look better - and thanks for stopping by!
 

Here is a couple of updated photos as she sits today.