ClipperFan

Hubac's Historian It's a relief to know that I didn't insult you with my alternate interpretation of Berain's work. In the essence of allegorical interpretation, it would be an interesting exercise to study French use of these mystical creatures. One thing is for sure, sailors are a superstitious lot. Then again taking on vast quantities of the world's oceans where there was no land in sight for months would take a certain amount of faith for sure. Dolphins have traditionally been harbingers of good will. This is a deserved reputation as the mammals themselves are kind hearted and gregarious in real life as well as fierce opponents of sharks. I like your analogy of the pixies also being a form of protection of Ship and crew. As for being forlorn seamen, note how almost universally these lovely women are topless or practically so. Berain particularly seems to like to use "Tromp L'Oeil" to achieve more implied depth than perhaps even the actual carvings on the vessel possess. As a youth, I had the opportunity to see highly ornamented churches, castles and cathedrals when my family was stationed in West Germany in the 60s. The lifelike works were simply overwhelming, especially the gilded ones. Even ordinary pieces of furniture had amazingly detailed carvings. Thank you for your compliment on my sketch. I would consider it an honor to collaborate with you on your 1670 Ship. Another of my favorite vessels is the old warship "Sovereign of the Seas" which was so ornately adorned that it ultimately cost King Charles II his head! Here's another project I've been working on for years. This is the Goddess Athena who adorned Donald McKay's last Clipper Ship, the 1869 "Glory of the Seas." It's widely accepted that this magnificent figurehead represents the zenith of Ship carving. Fortunately, while the ship is long since gone, her goddess figurehead is still available for viewing. She stands serenely at the top of ornate double stairs of the old "India House" in Mahattan, NY. ClipperFan is my tribute to all Clipper Ships. My personal favorites are Mr McKay's of Boston, MA. His works fascinate me and it amazes me how to this day he's been successful at concealing his Bow structure. Case in point, there are no complete Bow sketches of his famous Australian emigrant Clipper "Lightning." It's amazing. His own drawings just leave a blank area, unfinished. like you, I'm a stickler for accuracy. One of my 'pet peeves' is that I have yet to see an accurate bow on any McKay Clipper, with the exception of his "Great Republic." There are contemporary in depth descriptions from the Boston Daily Atlas which clearly enumerate Nautical devices like a curving Cut Water, Carved Arch Work and how the Figurehead sits neatly atop just tucked under where Naval Hoods join just below the Bowsprit. Yet if you look at any model, the figurehead is slapped on the Stem like an afterthought! So I'm gradually attempting to recreate truly accurate Bows of these glorious McKay Clippers. FYI as a previous resident of the Bean State and currently living in CT, my basketball teams are the Boston Celtics and UConn.

Here's a more clear image of the same Quarter Gallery illustration. The Fairy on the left side is coming out from behind the roof, her left hand supports the Crown. It's anatomically impossible for the lower fish to be her. It's actually another fish, possibly a dolphin, you can see two eyes but the mouth is hidden by what appears to be sea leaves. Now it's more clear that the lady on the right is a full human form with butterfly wings, her right arm, foreshortened also supports the Crown.

druxey so true. I just am in such awe of talent and in depth research being done by Hubac's Historian. It never occured to me to notice that the 5 window width of the Heller model is in complete disagreement with the wider 6 windows of Berain's gorgeous illustration.

Hubac's Historian In the interest of your excellent pursuit of historical accuracy, I'm sharing this alternate observation of your "MerAngels". I respectfully submit that it appears they are actually "Fairies" with an Butterfly Wings and peacock eyes at their tips. They have full human legs, with knees. Her lower leg tucks neatly behind what appears to be a very sizable fish with an open mouth and two eyes drawn in a three dimensional fashion. I've included a rough sketch to illustrate this difference between the lady and fish. The diamond shape at the lower leg is the open mouth of the fish, there do not appear to be fins, it looks more like oak leaves at the base of the fish. Her right arm appears to be reaching up to hold the Crown but the image is too blurry to make out more than that.

John Ruy You're making beautiful progress on this venerable Marine Models 'Charles W Morgan' replica. To settle the possible dispute about the 4 Stern Windows, I've posted a book I read years ago, written by Edouard A. Stackpole on the topic of the Charles W. Morgan published in 1967. One of the biggest surprises those restores made, were original frames for 4 Stern Windows that had been boarded over for decades. There are even pictures of the discovery. Before they felt comfortable re opening them, they did extensive research in the Ship's Logbooks. Only after finding a Log entry from the Captain's wife, referring to her opening the big Transom Windows to air the vessel out, did they feel right in their discovery. I realize you're making an accurate replica of the Morgan's current appearance as a Bark without Stern windows but I thought you might appreciate knowing about their genuine authenticity. I personally miss the old vessel as she appeared in the 60s as a fully rigged ship with painted faux cannon covers and the more elegant Transom. That's how I remember her best.

Hi Ed, It was my distinct honor and pleasure to meet you when your incredible twin hulls of the Young America were on display at Mystic, CT in the Fall of 2016. It was hard to keep my jaw from hitting the floor, even back then when masting and rigging was just beginning. What you have created is a Clipper Ship in Miniature. I'm fully convinced, were it possible to enlarge this artisan craftsman, once the balance of strakes had been laid on to make her 'sea worthy' your miniature vessel would look and perform identically to her original! To say well done just doesn't do justice to what you have accomplished. FYI: I love your artist impression. No need to apologize to us mere mortals!