iMustBeCrazy

Most of the launches show either the "pin" version or the davit disappearing under the quarterdeck where there really isn't space for the "axle" style. A few (eg zaz7164) show the "axle" as a circle at the end of the davit. Sure was, not helped by my CAD package allowing you to set the precision of the displayed dimension without locking the actual dimension to the displayed value. So with a precision of 1/8" a 2" line could be anywhere between 1 15/16 and 2 1/16. Anyway, this is what I have at the moment:

G'day Allan, as you know I'm doing pretty much the same thing for the same reasons. We will no doubt come to different conclusions in some areas but I think overall the result will be a better understanding of what the launch was probably like. A few little things: You left out the sided dimension for the floors. I get a room and space of 1' 2 9/16" (which probably should realistically be 1' 2 1/2", possibly a scaling error on my part or the difference between a hand made ruler and CAD). I'll have another look. You've drawn the davit as per Vaddoc's yawl but I think it's more probably like this: Meanwhile I have to re-draw my frames to allow for fairing which I forgot. There are some good boat construction shots here including their launch replica. Might help.

You aren't alone It's why I try to clearly differentiate between facts and guesses/beliefs (when I remember to). A guess re the drawings is that it was up to the ship/captain to rig the boats (perhaps within limits) and the mast at the bow was common to the then current choices which seem to be: Main at the bow, mizzen at the transom. Possibly the most common rig from the number of painting and sketches. Schooner/Lugger, Fore at the bow, main about midships. As you have it above and Steel suggests for Longboats and Launches (although there are several 30ft plus single masted Longboats). Three masted. Fore, main and mizzen. Single mast for smaller (under 18ft) boats. And perhaps for those drawings where no mast is shown? And of course, exceptions to every rule. No wonder we get confused. However, we are pretty certain the Bounty launch had two masts at the time of the mutiny (although three is possible, but very doubtful), a main and a fore.

Allan, I still have been unable to find anything that supports either of these suggestions. The closest to the single mast idea I can find comes from McKay but a cutter rig on a mast that far forward makes little sense. None of Bligh's writings or logs that I can find ever mention working on the rigging of any of the boats during the voyage (with the exception of the fitting two shrouds to each mast after the mutiny). There are mentions of "carpenters working on launch" or "carpenters working on boats", in one instance to repair damage incurred during a storm, but just as "I'm keeping the crew busy" type log notes. I'd love to know what your source is.

Allan, Bligh wrote "The Size of the Boat was 23 feet from Stem to Stern and Rowed Six Oars" in a letter to Banks (fact 8). I'm fairly happy that the drawing in Bligh's books (RMG ZAZ7848) is a good representation of the Bounty Launch and that ZAZ7361 is an evolution of that based on Bligh's experience. But I could be wrong. She certainly is Ollie. (Laurel and Hardy). Me too! They show a Main and Mizzen, a common rig on boats, but Bligh makes the following notes in his log: 1/ It was about 8 o’clock at Night when I bore away under a reefed Lug foresail 2/ under close reefs Fore Sl. & Main Sail So the Launch had Main and Fore masts with a lug sail on the fore and probably (but not certainly) the main.

Allan, after a bit of headbanging I have the following to offer. Using the Steel tables in Boats of Men-of-War: Looking at "The dimensions of rigging........." pages 98/99 we find it based on ship classes not boat lengths so we have to find a class of ship that had a 23ft launch. On to "Boat establishments 1670-1800" on page 57. Note there is no mention of launches before 1780 and as of Nov 1780 Launches are to replace Longboats. So we find that in 1781 fifth rate 36s & 32s have a 23ft or 24ft launch. Back to pages 98/99. And we find no Launches listed even though they were to replace Longboats starting 14 years earlier. So we'll use the Longboat info for 36s or 32s which both give: Shrouds- 4 off, 3" rope, iron thimble 16 fathoms. Laniard - 1" rope 8 fathoms. Stay - 1 off, 3 1/2" rope, iron thimble 5 fathoms. Laniard - 1" rope 2 fathoms. Note: the lengths in red were omitted from Boats of Men-of-War. They seem to include some spare rope. So, 4 shrouds means 2 per mast each with a thimble at the end. I assume that the shroud laniards run from the boat up through the thimble back to the boat giving a 2:1 pull. Where the stay goes, probably from the main mast but........ However, there is no mention of shrouds or stays for any boat type but Longboats and Bligh's wording is not clear. But if shrouds already existed and attached with laniards as above then there would already have been support for the canvas splash screens. It's still a puzzle.

Allan, something like this seems the norm: https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/rmgc-object-67278 https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/rmgc-object-68522 https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/rmgc-object-248094 Shrouds seem optional?

I would hardly say that. There is also a later note: "Sailmakers mending the Awnings and Boats coverings."

I was just reading Bligh's log and came across this: Saturday, Jan. 12, 1788 8:00 am Employed about a Variety of necessary duties for the ship & fitted Boats Coverings. So, they used covers of some sort in 1788.

Well, I have the Model Shipways version in that scale which is why I built this cutter in the same scale, but I now know that there are too many errors in it so I think I will build a more accurate one. Although I can easily re-scale my drawings, at smaller scales construction techniques dictate the accuracy one I can achieve. That said, if anyone wants a different scale 16ft cutter let me know. Unfortunately that will depend on historically accurate knowledge. Well, I guess that next after the launch should be a 20ft cutter giving the full set.

Thanks Allan, I think that's where I'm going too, but in 1:16.

Drawings as promised, they don't show everything as I've left out the simpler bits. Page 1 is for scaling your prints plus some angle gauges for fairing the moulds. I apparently didn't draw strake 2 but it's basically a rectangle with the ends shaped to fit so it shouldn't be a problem. I haven't drawn the thwarts or mast support but those are pretty basic. The wood I used is metric, you will have to make your own adjustments for imperial thicknesses. I've provided two versions for A4 or Legal sized paper. Let me know if printer margins are a problem or if I've missed anything. This log is the 'instructions' but I'm happy to answer questions. 16ft Cutter 1in16 A4.pdf 16ft Cutter 1in16 Legal.pdf

Well, the lads got a coat of paint on the interior the other day but the next two days were too hot for painting. So I fitted the thwarts and knees, tapered the mast a little and made the last two oars. Yesterday the lads finished painting the hull and this morning I painted the oar blades. I think all that's left is to tidy up the drawings and post them.

Well, I did get a little more done, another oar and the tiller: Oh, and a little more playing around:

No physical work going on as I pinched a nerve in my wrist, it's getting better though. Meanwhile, a virtual diorama:

Update time: Knees are all finished but not fitted (except the transom). Ironwork is done, fitted and functional but needs the paint touched up. What has slowed me down is trying to come up with oars that I like (and can make). I think I'm happy with the look but still need to make a set that match.

I'm happy enough, and yes, I dislike seeing frames on cutters and ribs on launches or frames poking through as knees.

Thanks Allan. However, the ribs are spaced at 12" where 8" would probably be more realistic. Also contemporary sketches show I could have used heavier ribs. Oh well, live and learn. Some progress, there's about an hour in each knee.

It feels like I'm getting close now. Just knees, rudder, sail?, oars, cleat, mast clamp then clear coat.

More progress and a little more mocking up.

A quick mockup with black washboards. Yes they will be matt black.

Allan, you've sold me, it's not as pleasing to my eye (I think it would look better at station D ) but it's probably right.

Does anybody think this is wrong? To me it looks like that's what they intended.

Allan, the only knowledge we have about the small cutter is that it was smaller than the large cutter and that it leaked, that's it. To that we add McKays assertion that it was 16ft long but where he got that from I do not know. So this is my best guess as to what she may have looked like, I think it's a good guess but I'm biased. Notched risers are shown on many/most drawings and make sense so I have included them. Thank you for your kind words.

Quite happy with the washboard fillers, much neater. I'm thinking of painting the washboards black to break up all that brown. And will somebody remind me to dust and vacuum it before I clear coat.