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ClipperFan

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  1. ClipperFan
    The 2 images are the only ones in this small booklet. One reason I bought it was in hope of finding a rare picture of Glory. There's a beautiful albeit inaccurate model of her but that's it. I'm sure Mike's 2nd book has far more details than this thin little book but anyhow....
  2. ClipperFan
    So this neat little book arrived from Canada today. It's a first person account of Captain Daniel S McLaughlin's 42nd & final voyage from NY to San Francisco on the Clipper "Glory of the Seas" by Daniel C McLaughlin, his son accompanying him on his 1st voyage. Pretty neat.
  3. ClipperFan
    A fact I overlooked in Mike's message was his timeframe. He specifically mentioned that he plans to take the last week of this month to do his "Glory" file review. That gives us just under 2 weeks to assemble our wish list of a man who has informed us he began his research on McKay's last Clipper since 1957, over six decades ago. My one suggestion is we can focus on the different modifications done to Glory's Deck and Masts, mainly in her early years. This would give modelers options to capture her likeness at varying times. The most noticable one I see is the innovative expansion of her Wheelhouse to fully protect the helmsman. A standard practice over many decades of service for all Sailing Ships was to lower Mast heights to reduce stress on aging Hulls, including converting them to Barks to utilize smaller crews. Glory's mast heights were reduced, though she never became a Bark while she was still in full service as a merchant sailing vessel.
  4. ClipperFan
    A few days ago I received a very encouraging email from Michael Mjelede. He mentions that he has about 4 to 5 detailed images of Glory at San Pedro 1907, in addition to 3 filing cabinet drawers full of "Glory of the Seas." Since he can't go on a normal vacation trip due to the pandemic, he's going to make use of his time instead to reorganize all his Glory files here's the rest of what he wrote to me verbatim: "if you have specific questions regarding her (Glory of the Seas) please supply me with a list so that I can zero in on those items. I commend you and Rob for the thorough work you and others are accomplishing to come up with a more accurate plan of Glory. Best Wishes, Mike"
  5. ClipperFan
    Rob, I agree about your description of "Great Republic." Duncan McLean's amazing 37 page pamphlet "Description of the Largest Ship in the World the New Clipper 'Great Republic' of Boston" there are 6 large depictions of her in minute details. One shows her internal construction with a depiction of the iron latticework which literally forms a skeletal trusswork cage to reinforce her wooden structure. Since "Great Republic" was constructed 15 years earlier than "Glory of the Seas" I wonder if it was less expensive to use wooden trusses instead to accomplish the same result or was it because Glory would be almost half the length of "Great Republic?"
  6. ClipperFan
    I lightened up both images so they can be seen better.
  7. ClipperFan
    Rob, Is this the book you refer to?
  8. ClipperFan
    Jorge O Diaz My best guess is William Crothers "The American Built Clipper Ship" which goes into extensive construction detail with associated images. Rob can correct me if I'm wrong. It's a great resource to have. You can find on line for $28 to $35.
  9. ClipperFan
    2
  10. ClipperFan
    If anyone can instruct me how to add a pdf file, I saved a copy and can share the file. It's really a neat publication of the National Park Service full of detailed sketches which enumerates each structural component.
  11. ClipperFan
    I googled "Maritime terminology of Pointer in wooden sailing vessels and found "Schooner Comet a submerged national resource, pdf file. Page 50 illustrates "Pointers" which are indeed diagonal structures to reinforce the Bow structure.
  12. ClipperFan
    Pointers may be diagonal riders that extend across the hull to prevent hogging of the keel. I'm not sure, just an educated guess. There's a fascinating article in a National Geographic Magazine about these massive riders being reinstalled in the Frigate USS Constitution 'Old Ironsides' once it was confirmed that these devices were originally installed at her construction.
  13. ClipperFan
    Rob, From an 1881 photo: Clipper 'Anni' formerly 'Garibaldi in Port, Mystic Seaport on line library image. Something I've noticed. Half hulls usually don't include the ship's cutwater, figurehead, monkey rail or keel. Compare this picture to her half Hull and you get the idea. Besides, I thought you'd appreciate another image of an 1860s American Clipper.
  14. ClipperFan
    EdT You're welcome from Rich aka "ClipperFan." We met briefly, years ago in Mystic, CT for the annual Model Ship Builder's Convention. That was just shortly after publication of your first book on constructing the Hull of Young America. I am constantly thrilled to find more images on line of these wonderful vessels, that previously have been buried in museum vaults.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. 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.
  19. 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."
  20. 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.
  21. 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?
  22. 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.
  23. 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.
  24. 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.
  25. 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.

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