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ClipperFan

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  1. ClipperFan
    Vladimir, You probably won't like this but I just discovered a mistake I made in calculating Glory's height at her Starboard Docking Port (rectangular hole in her side). I gave specific details in an earlier post this morning. Bottom line, she's 1' 1 & 1/2" lower than before. Her loading dock is 5' above the waterline, 25" high, probably 3' wide and she's 45 & 1/2" to the lower molding. This is going to mess up your Stern again but in reality it goes back to my suspicion that we've had her Stern too big anyways. Speaking of which, one other correction I noted was that the drop below the molding is just a little deeper than you have it. My estimation is about 3'. I agree with your sleeker Bow profile, which appears to match the better overall scene of Glory I just got from Mike. Meanwhile I took another look at Glory's nameplate. Now it appears your sign board has a little too much space. Just from eyeballing, it looks like the letters "SEA" match the distance between the "Y" of GLORY and "S" of SEAS. the "of the" all lowercase would fit in equidistant from those words. Druxey did a great job of getting Athene's right arm position corrected. I would plug in his new lady, replacing the older one. Finally, with a better image of Glory in Seattle, the question of her Cutwater configuration and prow underwater still bugs me. It appears that the semicircular curve goes through both Bobstay mounts and doesn't straighten out until afterwards. Then her prow down to what's visible above the waterline doesn't appear to go down vertically but more of an angle slightly back. British took the lines off the Blackball Clipper "Donald McKay" so this Hull is reliable. Disregard my conjectural pencil sketch of her rigging, topmast positions are reversed in error.
  2. ClipperFan
    Mike found the missing 5th section of his super close ups of "Glory of the Seas" at docked at San Francisco. What causes the wavy masts is beyond me. I post these right side up but they come out upside down. Go figure. He referred to this as an 1880 scene. In his book it's described as being 1877. Either way, there's no doubt it's the same image. It occurred to me too, that my damn math was off on calculation of Glory's height at her Starboard Docking Port. For my calculations, I've been relying on a published dimension of 6 1/2 inches width per outer strake. Unfortunately I got 1/2 inches mixed up. Upon closest inspection, I now count 9 and a fraction strakes from her waterline to opening base. 9 × 6 1/2 inches = 54 inches + 4 1/2 inches for a total of 58 1/2 inches, with a portion of a strake visible above the white line, I estimate 5 feet. Docking Port side is 4 strakes × 6 1/2 inches = 24 inches + 2 × 1/2 inches = 25 inches or 2 feet, 1 inch. 7 strakes to bottom of Main Rail Molding are 7 × 6 1/2 inches = 42 inches + 7 × 1/2 inches = 3 1/2 inches, 45 1/2 inches or 3 feet 9 1/2 inches. Adding all 3 measurements gives 5 feet + 2 feet 1 inch + 3 feet 9 1/2 inches = 10 feet 10 1/2 inches. With 6 foot 6 inches bulwarks brings Glory's revised Docking Port height down from a previous estimate of 18 1/2 feet to 16 feet, 16 1/2 inches or 17 feet, 4 1/2 inches. 18 feet 6 inches minus 17 feet 4 1/2 inches is 1 foot 1 1/2 inches lower. Since the lowest point of her 7 foot sheer is around midway of her Main Shrouds, as best as I can see, that would be somewhat lower than 17 feet 4 1/2 inches....
  3. ClipperFan
    Rob, Having these pictures unhindered by the bend in a book really allows us to confirm details we could only estimate before. I'm positive now that there were 11 turned stanchions at the front of Glory's large Stern House. 2 at each corner, slightly chanted inward, close to each other, possibly 2' apart, then there are 7 evenly spaced apart. They're also somewhat inset to the upper deck which serves as a roof. Meanwhile the counterpart turned stanchions of the poop deck are more rugged for their relatively short height and cant inward even more dramatically. A graceful wrought iron bar also appears just in front of the first stanchion. Meanwhile, from the scene of Glory being towed to Alaska, it looks like these same stanchions cant slightly outward around her Stern. I'm also struck how substantially all her Bulwarks are constructed. This was one ruggedly built ship.
  4. ClipperFan
    Sailor, I agree, he certainty looks like a young boy to me too.
  5. ClipperFan
    Sailor, I should have been more specific. I meant the copper line above the entrance to the water itself. If you look at the Hull it's practically a straight line. The yellow metal plating reflects it too, as it doesn't bulge out until aft of her anchor mooring just before that dark spot you're referring to. If I were to sketch out her deck, it would reflect a very sharp profile.
  6. ClipperFan
    Rob, A few observations about the overall image of Glory in Seattle 1911. Her Cutwater circular curve goes through both Bobstay mounts and doesn't even straighten out until after going below them. Then her entrance appears to angle back more steeply than other images seem to imply. Her prow appears to be sharper too. Look at her waterline, she doesn't begin to fill out until after the quarterdeck, which signifies a much faster entrance then before. I'm curious as to your thoughts.
  7. ClipperFan
    Druxey, This image shows Athene's upper arm bracelets as well as her necklace. Look closely, you'll also see the very bottom of her garment has double thin lines. I personally suspect these items could possibly have been embellished with gold at her launch. Especially since it would highlight all the lovely folds of her gown.
  8. ClipperFan
    Druxey, It was my pleasure. I understand about your choice not to get into the niggling details of Glory's figurehead. I just thought you might appreciate knowing them.
  9. ClipperFan
    Druxey, From this viewpoint, that looks just about perfect. I realize her face is partially blocked but look how naturally her arm position is and how more accurately her grip appears on that long, flowing gown. Athene wears a fancy necklace, which is barely visible as a grey area at the nape of her neck and two arm bracelets. It's easier to see if you refer back to some pics of her we've already shared.
  10. ClipperFan
    As promised, both images from page 227 of "Glory of the Seas" Michael Mjelde's first book published way back in 1970. To put things into perspective, Mike had already put 16 years into researching her at that point. Simply incredible.....
  11. ClipperFan
    Rob, as soon as I saw this I thought of two things. This exact label and how you were surprised that Athene's long trailing toga actually had an open area through it. Mike also sent me both images on page 227 of his 1st book. I'm having a little trouble downloading it. As soon as I can, I'll share them with the group too.
  12. ClipperFan
    Druxey, That's much better. Now you're getting much closer. If you look real close, you'll see the large light object to the left of Athene's tight hairpin, that entire oval object is her hand, it's a little more parallel to the horizon. Her whole thumb is hidden inside of the fabric, only her upper hand is visible. It represents her gripping the flowing gown much tighter. This is a lovely improvement.
  13. ClipperFan
    Michael Mjelde has opened up his golden vault and shared some more spectacular images with me. This port side view of her Goddess Athene is one I've never seen before.
  14. ClipperFan
    Vladimir, Sometimes a picture is worth, well too many words.... Above the anchor hole is what I call the edge of the Naval Hood. There are four big ropes that exit the first notch, run right over the "L" in "GLORY" and then across the Naval Hood. That beveled edge is not verticle; it goes at an angle to match the outward curve of Glory's Bow. Notice the three carved ribbons? They all stop right at the edge of Glory's Naval Hood. The bottom of that Hood has three moldings, not two like on the top. From what I see, especially in the other close up Starboard view, those three are each shorter than the one below. The thickness of those three combined is about equal to the upper two Naval Hood moldings combined. I tried to keep it less technical but there's so many elements involved that it's hard not to. I hope this helps.
  15. ClipperFan
    Vladimir, Your stern looks much closer to Glory's. The drop below the Main Rail molding doesn't bulge out that I see, it's more of a graceful drop and it's a little deeper than your profile. It's hard to tell but it looks to be around 3 1/2'. The edge is visible on her Stern Starboard quarter. Nice catch on that, I didn't see it until you pointed that out.
  16. ClipperFan
    Vladimir, My apologies if descriptions I give are too confusing. I will try to make it simpler. Upper right side of this page, third line down "seven FOOT sheer. None of McKay's Clippers had a sheer in INCHES.
  17. ClipperFan
    Vladimir, It looks overall like you're getting so close. What I've noticed is that Glory's 1st notch (bit) aligns up with the inclined top edge of her Naval Hood. The triple moldings of the Hood's lower edge aren't verticle, they actually each are a little shorter to coincide with the inclined edge which blends with the curve of her prow. You'll need to shorten the top two ribbons in her carving which both end exactly at that edge point. Again, reference the hawse line from the bit in the photo which goes directly over the "E" in "SEAS", it aligns perfectly with that starting edge. Her Bowsprit angle would be much closer to the outer top of the Naval Hood. Look at the 1807 San Pedro Bow, there's no daylight between her Bowsprit and Hood. At Sea, this would all be rigged as tight as possible, since any slack would be disastrous for her massive rigging. Then Glory's transition from her keel to stem is a quarter circle, not the sharp juncture you have. See her 1869 scene on the Ways and look closely at the very bottom of her Prow You are making remarkable progress and it's very exciting to see.
  18. ClipperFan
    TheAuthorsDaughter That's fascinating to learn there's yet one more vestige of Donald McKay's last Clipper left. Thanks for sharing that with us. Of course if you have any pics of it, that would be marvelous to see!
  19. ClipperFan
    Vladimir, That looks much better. Glory's Bowsprit was 34" in diameter & 24 feet outboard. There are 7 iron bands, each 3' apart & 1 additional band which wraps around both her Bowsprit and Jibboom above. There's 18" before band 1 & 18" beyond band 7 to the Cap. The head of Athene lines up midway between band 2 & 3. That puts her 7 1/2 feet from the center of band 1 and 9 feet from the beginning of the Bowsprit. I believe Rob also said Athene's exactly 7 1/2 feet from the inner Bobstay mount on the Bowsprit too.
  20. ClipperFan
    Druxey, Yes. Look very closely at the object up near Athene's tight hair bun. Notice the small oval? That's the neatly severed wrist of her right hand. Only her right thumb is hidden under the drapery, her entire right hand is visible above the drapery. I'm positive of this. Below, just to the right of a dark area at the nape of Athene's neck is her right shoulder, then there's another oval with a tiny black dot in it. That's her severed upper right arm. That dot is most likely an iron armature, as best I can guess. It must have been one powerful wave to snap her arm off so cleanly. There's an old newspaper article that refers to the fact that the young East Boston beauty who posed for Glory's figurehead drowned. When her body was recovered she was missing an arm. Apparently at the same time the Sea gave up her dead, a freak wave struck "Glory of the Seas" and removed her Figurehead's right arm. Superstitious sailors tried to replace it but were never successful.
  21. ClipperFan
    Vladimir, The devil's in the details. This looks lovely but (don't you always hate that there's a but?) The figurehead is a little too small. Take a look at Druxey's work, which looks like his scale is spot on. Also look at the sharp close up. We've confirmed from multiple sources, including that Seattle view, that Athene is 7 1/2' tall. Courtesy of Rob, we now have very precise measurements for the relationship of all the elements in her Bow. At her correct height, Athene's crown is 2' from the tip of the Naval Hood and her head is just above the Hood. Her right hand is 18" from the tip too. Speaking of which, you're copying Druxey's mistake in the position of her upper arm. The item just above is not cloth, it's actually the severed wrist and hand holding the flowing drapery behind it. The arm should blend into that wrist, not be just below as it's drawn now.
  22. ClipperFan
    Vladimir, That's lovely. Now add a thin parallel line to that single line and you'll be very close to the original.
  23. ClipperFan
    Druxey, See how she now looks like she's carrying something in her right hand. Well that thing IS her right hand! What looks like it could be the end of a loaf of bread is actually the inside of her right wrist in the photo. Draw her upper forearm from the angle of her wrist and her right arm naturally bends back from there.
  24. ClipperFan
    Druxey, Take a close look at the gold necklace at the nape of Athene's neck. Just above you'll see what remains of her right hand, the small oval on right is the inside of her wrist, her thumb is inside the fabric and her upper hand grips the top. Meanwhile if you look to the right side of that necklace, you'll see another oval with a dark spot in the center. That's her shoulder and a small section of her upper right arm. Following her contours, you can project her right arm out, slightly downwards, then her upper forearm will reach back up and slightly inwards to connect with her wrist.
  25. ClipperFan
    The latest images from Michael Mjelde. These are close ups of "Glory of the Seas" at San Francisco dock 1877. For some odd reason, although I can get them right side up on my phone, they won't orient correctly when I upload them. My apologies. I figured upside down or not, you guys would all appreciate these higher definition images. Vladimir, if you look carefully at the carved arch on her Cutwater you'll see what I meant by the curve mirrors that of the lower one on the upper Naval Hood. I'm going to print these out and then try to merge them into a continuous single image, unless somebody beats me to it.

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