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ClipperFan

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  1. ClipperFan
    Michael Mjelde's 1970 publication "Glory of the Seas" Appendix 1 has the best, most highly detailed description of her in exhaustive detail. Page 257 describes that Glory was indeed metal sheathed 22' up to her waterline.
  2. ClipperFan
    Fascinating that both Medium Clippers came from Mystic Shipyards. 1855 Mystic Clipper BF Hoxie, 1387 tons, 1860 Mystic Garibaldi, 1431 tons. Both vessels were much smaller in size than Donald McKay's "Glory of the Seas" 2102 tons. It does look like if you melded the Bow of the top vessel with the Stern of the bottom it approximates Glory to a degree. Personally I favor the scientific method we've begun to develop. Combined with accurate measurements of the ship based on comparisons of her figurehead length with other components will lead us to the most complete reproduction. Incidentally the 22' yellow metal sheathing is in the highly description of Glory at her launch, most likely by Boston Daily Atlas writer Duncan McLean.
  3. ClipperFan
    EdT & Randy Todd This is off topic but I thought you would appreciate this. While digging for rare images of "Glory of the Seas" in San Francisco Maritime Museum images, I stumbled on a beautiful starboard broadside view of "Young America." Her impressive lofty rig, long low hull and distinctive trailboard of a lady seated between two crossed flags are convincing evidence of her identity. Original photo is first. The second image has been brightened up to allow better viewing.
  4. ClipperFan
    This is probably the most significant "Lightning" relic, her alleged Figurehead. I've lightened her up a lot in order to reveal her details. Ironically, like Glory her right outstretched arm previously grasping lightning, is missing. This seems to be a phenomenon of ocean going vessels. Also barely visible are the end of the Naval Hood and Carved Arch. This confirms my strong suspicion that models of McKay's Clipper Bows have been greatly simplified. I see "Glory of the Seas" as a sort of 'Rosetta Stone' to finally reveal the full beauty of at least one of his magnificent ships. From her example, once satisfactorily determined, my personal goal is to accurately reconstruct many of McKay's lost glorious Clipper Ships.
  5. ClipperFan
    Rob It occurs to me that the fellow who owns the rest of this venerable relic could possibly start his own small business, selling small sections of the original Clipper "Lightning." What McKay Clipper fanatic could resist a chance to own a piece of "Lightning?" I have an original piece of the Frigate "Old Ironsides" removed during her last restoration. I bought it at the USS Constitution Gift Store and it came with papers. What amazes me is when I got it, I could smell salt water and oak wood, even though it's in a plastic bag container. Then a few years ago I managed to get an original 1900s book on South Street Seaport, by Richard McKay I'm pretty sure. What's really neat is it has a small square sliver of wood from the Clipper "Glory of the Seas."
  6. ClipperFan
    Thanks to Arina's generous participation, I was also given Mr Mjelde's email contact info. He just shared two images of "Glory of the Seas at San Pedro dock, 1907" One, a Bow close up detail is much clearer than that published in the book. According to Mr Mjelde, it's because this was a direct print of an original 35mm film negative processed 40 years ago! Usually I can reorient images to get them viewable better, in this case, I couldn't accomplish it until I cropped the image. So I've shared both. I commented to Mike, which he said he prefers to be called that I wanted to get his permission before sharing these rare images. His response is to be sure to credit him, that's all. He also voiced his full support for our efforts to create the most accurate plans possible for future would be modelers of McKay's last Clipper.
  7. ClipperFan
    In case the there are some on this forum who aren't familiar with British Sailor Artist Jack Spurling's phenomenal work, here's his powerful depiction of McKay's wonderful "Lightning". I always wished Mr Spurling had done one of "Glory of the Seas." As impressive as a genuine sample of the actual vessel is in itself, most people wouldn't grasp the significance. Connecting it to this once glorious ship would be a great assist. While Rob's suggestion is intriguing with potential benefit of displaying construction from the inside, not being personally familiar with today's high speed saws, my concern would be is there any possibility of possibly damaging the treenail section? From what I've read, treenails usually had a wedge punched into them to swell them up and make the joint even tighter. Would slicing it through the middle safely reveal this feature or destroy it?
  8. ClipperFan
    Rob, you are such a classy guy. I deeply appreciate your generous gift. It arrived very carefully wrapped in tissue paper. While this is an ex Library book, looking at it is like journeying back in time. There's even a small, discreet date in pencil: 12/6/71 which looks like the date this book was placed into circulation. It's also a genuine First Edition from 1970. For a book that's now 51 years old, it's in like brand new condition. Add in the author Michael Mjelde's generous signature and this indeed is a deeply appreciated family Heirloom. Thank you just seems to be insufficient for such a nice gesture.
  9. ClipperFan
    As far as Michael dissecting an irreplaceable section of McKay's Clipper "Lightning" I would say please absolutely don't. My vote would to be to place it in a nicely done wood and glass framed enclosure, sitting on a clear support inside with a mirror base so the bottom can be viewed too. A simple brass plate detailing the piece could be added, possibly identifying the location of the vessel where its piece originated. Finally, a nice print of Jack Spurling's impressive "Lightning" would complete the presentation.
  10. ClipperFan
    As far as Michael dissecting an irreplaceable section of McKay's Clipper "Lightning" I would say please absolutely don't. My vote would to be to place it in a nicely done wood and glass framed enclosure, sitting on a clear support inside with a mirror base so the bottom can be viewed too. A simple brass plate detailing the piece could be added, possibly identifying the location of the vessel where its piece originated. Finally, a nice print of Jack Spurling's impressive "Lightning" would complete the presentation.
  11. ClipperFan
    Michael Mott That's an impressive piece. While "Lightning" was destroyed by fire, she didn't go without a fight. They tried to scuttle her, shot rounds of cannon to hole her and finally blew her up, all while she was ablaze. The round post inserted inside, is that a treenail? I always thought that usually those were square but it certainly looks like it is. Thanks for sharing it with us.
  12. ClipperFan
    Swe
  13. ClipperFan
    Rob, your revisions are definitely getting Glory's form in the right direction. It's amazing how a simple -7 degree incline of her prow below waterline has improved her look and made her more recognizable. Naval Hood and Carved Arch still need refinement; like my sketch, her figurehead is too low and too small. As usual with this incredibly challenging project "the devil's in the details." I suspect by nailing down accurate dimensions of the Naval Hoods and Carved Arch, which now looks to be 8' relative to her 7 1/2' figurehead, the rest of the specs will fall in line much easier. I've included a series of Glory on the Ways, the clearest I've seen (you can actually count the strakes on it). It's also probably the best image of her undamaged figurehead. The 1900s image clearly shows how she does project beyond the Naval Hoods as does the newspaper clipping. A couple more sketches show how I'm attempting to keep both sides of her accurate. Last image is still probably the best approximation so far and it too still doesn't project far enough.
  14. ClipperFan
    On the plus side, it looks like this little sketch captures her graceful attitude fairly accurately. Her front gown clutched in the left hand appears to create a reverse "S" curve popular in many 1900s vessels. That too needs to be added.
  15. ClipperFan
    To aid in efforts to get these components more accurate, I took out the intense blue and then cropped the components. Another issue I noticed is the figurehead's flowing gown should be much thinner by half.
  16. ClipperFan
    Thanks for the compliment. This particular sketch, done on a post-it note was while I was waiting in the car. Both Naval Hood and Carved Arch look accurate but Glory's Goddess Figurehead is way too small in proportion to those other devices. In comparison, she should be at least a 1/3rd bigger. Doing that would scale down the exaggerated distance of the Naval Hood, which you're observing. The Anchor hole is also ridiculously tiny in this sketch as well. The Cutwater should also be a complete arc right up to the scroll base of her figurehead. You're welcome to rescale the dimensions, if you want.
  17. ClipperFan
  18. ClipperFan
    Rob while you're doing that, might I suggest using the 22' distance from keel to waterline to measure height above to get that dimension too? It can also be confirmed by using her 90" figurehead as a 2nd reference.
  19. ClipperFan
    Rob, that's excellent news! Perhaps our member Tony Hunt can get this info to Ron Haug quicker, since he lives nearby, as he just told us. Our images can easily be converted to pdf files and emailed to him. He can then bring his laptop to a local printer and deliver them to mr Haug. What do you think?
  20. ClipperFan
    Rob, It occurred to me that I didn't answer your question about very precise angles you've accomplished by drawing digital plot lines directly onto the image. The parabaloid is a possible effect of drawing a circle on an angle due to perspective compensation. If you drew a separate circle on the 90 degree angle, my guess is it wouldn't match Glory's curved Bow. Completing the arc to a full circle and overlaying the rest of a box around it, I believe you'd get your answer, that it's actually a circle on an angle. That would mean Glory's bow is the 57 degree section of a circle. Another fascinating development is that this circle actually extends right to the foot of her figurehead, instead of straightening out, which I initially thought. Compare her forlorn Bow sans figurehead in later a broadside image, it confirms that design feature. I think we can also now feel confident that Glory's underwater Bow profile is not straight but more accurately a -7 degree minimally bowed line to her keel. I believe we may have unearthed a key component in being able to finally arrive at Glory's true form.
  21. ClipperFan
    Attempt to attach a pdf file was blocked. Simply typing in the url address failed too. If given an accurate e-mail address, this will work. I have successfully sent many pdf files to my local print shop to enlarge images as well as print those images in larger formats up to Ledger size not supported by my in home printer.
  22. ClipperFan
  23. ClipperFan
    Tony Hunt, Correct me if I'm wrong but it sounds like you're volunteering to be Michael Mjelde's and this group's "digital mailman" so to speak. Theoretically, we should be able to attach pdf files to this site. You can then bring them to Ron Haug (from what I've read, Australia is pretty much Coronavirus free compared to the petri dish that is America). Here's a trial run. See if you can open this pdf file. It's "In Bound from Bellingham, 'Glory of the Seas' at San Pedro, 1907" 20180920_184241.jpg.pdf
  24. ClipperFan
  25. ClipperFan
    Rob, This view demonstrates how sharp Glory's entrance really was. It explains how she was able to complete a very credible 96 day passage from New York to San Francisco. Her extreme list to Port is clearly visible. A factor which has to be taken into consideration when observing her beached from Starboard Broadside viewpoint.

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