Jim Lad

Thanks, Michael.  She's just a little smaller than your pilot cutter!

John

More delightful "eye candy". Thanks very much for the update, Karl!

John

Popeye,

When you start to use that magnifier doing the rigging, watch out that you don't get too close and hit the model with it.  I'm serious!  Until you get used to it, it's very easy to forget that you've got that thing sticking out from the front of your face.

John

Thank you, Juergen.

John

Lovely lines on that hull, Bob, she's coming along really well.

Also a great reference photo you found.  Don't we all wish we could find something like that for our particular ships!

John

Andy,

It's nice to see that you haven't forgotten a bit of sailorising after your time on bulkers!  

John

Again, thank you gentlemen, one and all, for your support!

I can hardly wait to get back to her to get the remaining details finished off.

John

Crikey, mate, she's looking really impressive!

John

Beautiful paint job, Piet.  Are you going to leave the hull all white, or paint her and anti-fouling colour below the waterline?

John

Coming along very nicely, Popeye.  She's looking great!

John

Gentlemen - thank you one and all for the support.  It's hard to believe that she's finally almost ready for the display case (which still has to be made).

John

Thanks, Janos!

John

Well, I almost had the rigging done!  All rigging was secured yesterday afternoon until I turned around quickly with a pair of tweezers in my hand, caught the port after brace and carried it away!

The brace is now re-rigged but still to be trimmed and re-secured, so apart from a slightly cock-eyed yard (due to no tension on the port brace) and the unfinished brace, she's rigged.

Next time in at the museum I hope to get her finished (visitor numbers allowing) as once the brace is re-done there's only cleaning up of Irish pennants, attaching rope coils and the anchors to do - the anchors and cables are made and simply awaiting attachment.

Here are some photos of her as of yesterday.

John

Straight face, Andy?  I was hiding under the desk in case of a bolt of lightning!

John

Very nicely (part) framed, Augie.  The moose will be pleased.

John

Looking first class, Andy.

As for organising trips to bathrooms etc., please try to remember that one must have a deep seated respect and reverence for the highly esteemed Marine Superintendent (if that's what they're still called).

John

Beautiful work; clear explanation - thanks, Ed.

John

JohnVery nice sails, Ilhan.

Now I know where to go when I needs some clothes altered!

BCG,

I can't give you a definitive answer for your particular ship, but in general, ships of the period had a pair of substantial double or triple blocks (the jeer blocks) for hoisting the lower yards.  The topsail yards often had a single block on the yard through which the tie was led, and topgallant yards had the tie simply attached to the yard.

If, by Connie, you mean Constitution, then you should be able to find a lot of very specific information on the web concerning her actual rigging.

Have fun with your model, mate!

John

Nice to hear that the safety timbers are going back, Augie.  Antlers can be pretty brittle (just ask your local moose)!

John

That coat of black certainly changes her - makes her come alive!

John

They may have been bolted or treenailed, Daniel - we have no way of knowing now, however I'd suspect treenails would be most likely given the shortage of supplies of all descriptions in the early days of the colony.

John

Ed,

The water stops are an interesting detail, but seem almost excessive given that most wooden ships leaked to some extent due to the hull working in a seaway.  The cargo wouldn't be stowed directly on the frames or planks, but on dunnage laid over the ship's structure.  The ship would also be pumped regularly to keep her dry.

A very interesting example of 19th century craftmen's almost constructional overkill.

John

She's really looking the part now, Alexandru!

John

Yep!  I've never used a drop of CA glue!

John