Pete Jaquith

Always enjoy mid 1800's merchant sail.  I will be following along.

Pete

Mike,

The attached pictures illustrates how I stowed the windlass break handles on the forward bulwark on my Maine Topsail Schooner Eagle of 1847 build.

Regards,

Pete

After an inquire on my ship modeling projects, I thought it best that I provide an update on my ship modeling plans.

My loving wife Linda, our two dogs, and I are now located in the beautiful retirement community Sun City Shadow Hills in Indio, CA.  My ship models made the two moves without damage and I have recently completed set up of a ship model shop in the garage.  Once my garage cools off, ship model projects planned for the future include:

• Steam Tug Seguin of 1884 – new build based on ¼” scale Bluejacket kit
• Brigantine Newsboy of 1854 – complete 3/16” scale semi-scratch build
• 16 Gun Brig Fair American, circa 1780 – complete ¼” scale build based on MS kit
• Whaling Brig Kate Cory of 1856 – new build based on 3/16” scale MS kit

Regards,

Pete

jfinan,

Very nice build.  I like your approach to planking a solid hull (POS).  This is my approach as illustrated in my Topsail Schooner "Eagle" and Brigantine "Newsboy" builds.

Jfinan,

Once you have removed the bulk of the bulwark material, flexible sanding sticks (from the beauty salon) are very helpful in finishing the inner surface.

Pete

Jfinan,

I have attached pictures of this stage in my Newsboy build here in MSW.  I used sharp gouges to carve vertically and remove excessive bulwark material.  A dial caliper was used to monitor thickness.

Pete

My prior post describes my experience installing copper sheathing on my Topsail Schooner "Eagle" and Brigantine "Newsboy" models.  I used copper tape and at 3:16 scale do not recommend embossing.  

Steam Tug Seguin of 1884_2_Construction Planning

The model will be built to a scale of 1/4” to the foot (1:48) based on a Bluejacket Ship Crafters kit.  The model is plank on bulkhead (POB) construction, with built up bulwarks, planked decks and topsides, and scratch-built deck furniture/fittings.

The model will be constructed as a static model using kit furnished materials and largely following the Bluejacket kit construction sequence.  Key observations and exceptions identified to date include:

·      Hull planking layout will be simplified following the kit instructions.

·      Decks will be built without camber (a departure from prototype practice). This follows the kit instructions and will simplify deckhouse construction.

·      Main deck will be individually planked following prototype practice.

·      Upper decks will be canvas covered following prototype practice.

·      Propeller has been replaced with a four bladed brass propeller from Caldercraft.

·      Rail stanchions have been replaced by turned brass stanchions from Caldercraft.

·      Model will be painted with color scheme typical for the period.

Next step will be a detailed review of the drawings and preparation of a construction sequence outline following my normal practice.

Regards from the shipyard,

Pete Jaquith

Steam Tug Seguin of 1884_1_Description

The steam tug Seguin was built in 1884 by the B.W. & B.F. Morse Shipyard in Bath, ME, for the Knickerbocker Steam Towage Company.  Named for an island at the mouth of the Kennebec River, Seguin was 88.1 feet long and had a beam of 19.8 feet.  Originally powered by a 26” x 26” surface condenser engine, she was re-engined in 1909 with a 275 shp compound triple expansion engine giving her a top speed of 12 knots.  She carried a crew of seven, including the captain, mate, engineer, two firemen, a cook, and a deck hand.

For the first twenty years of her 85-year career, Seguin towed wooden sailing ships up and down the Kennebec River in the summer.  In the winter, she towed barges laden with coal, lumber, and ice to ports along the Atlantic coast of the United States.  For the next ten years, Seguin worked along the Hudson River for Cornell Towing Company of New York.  After that, she spent the remainder of her career serving the ports of Maine until her retirement in 1967.

The model will be built to a scale of 1/4” to the foot (1:48) based on a Bluejacket Ship Crafters kit.  The model will be plank on bulkhead (POB) construction, with built up bulwarks, planked decks and topsides, and scratch-built deck furniture/fittings.  The steam tug Seguin will be a fitting companion for my series of mid 1800’s American merchant sailing ship models and a visual reminder of the small steam tugs I sailed on with my father as a teen-ager.

Regards from the shipyard,

Pete Jaquith

I have recently completed installation of a work bench, peg boards, lighting, and unpacked ~12 boxes of tools.  I also installed an evaporative cooler, or swamp cooler to control garage/shop temps when it is 100-115 degrees outside.

After five years working on full-scale shipbuilding projects, two home moves, and with a reduced level of shipbuilding consulting work I now find time to return to ship modeling.  Over the past few years I have enjoyed this opportunity to work on a wide variety of naval destroyer, naval auxiliary, icebreaking, research, and commercial shipbuilding projects and with a number of industry professionals.

My loving wife Linda, our two dogs, and I are now located in the beautiful retirement community Sun City Shadow Hills in Indio, CA.  My ship models made the two moves without damage and I have recently completed set up of a small ship model shop in the garage.  Ship model projects planned for the near future include:

• Steam Tug Seguin of 1884 – new build based on ¼” scale Bluejacket kit
• Brigantine Newsboy of 1854 – complete 3/16” scale semi-scratch build
• 16 Gun Brig Fair American, circa 1780 – complete ¼” scale build based on MS kit
• Whaling Brig Kate Cory of 1856 – new build based on 3/16” scale MS kit

As these projects get underway, I plan to develop/restart build logs here on Model Ship World.

Regards from the shipyard,

Pete Jaquith

Thank you for your interest and support.  Over the past few years I kept busy supporting a number of full scale ship building projects in both the US and Canada.  While continuing my shipbuilding consulting business, Linda and I recently completed a move to Indio, CA.  With my shop setup nearing completion, I plan to return to woodworking and ship modeling in the coming months.  Currently planned projects include:

• Steam Tug "Seguin" 1:48 scale built in Bath, ME in 1884 (Bluejacket kit)
• Restart of my Brigantine "Newsboy" 1:64 scale built in 1854 (semi-scratch from Model Shipways kit)
• Restart of my Brig "Fair American" 1:48 scale circa 1780 (semi-scratch from Model Shipways kit)
• Restoration of family antique tables

Regards,

Pete, Shipbuilder

Kearnold,

As Chuck has noted, your Katy is typical of the old solid hull kits that used to be common in our hobby.  Don't give up, you can still build a fine model as I believe that MS has provided a fine set of plans prepared by Jim Roberts.  If you send me your e-mail by private message, I will send you my notes, block lists, rigging schedules, etc. from my build.  Note the Katy model pictured below was my 1st wooden ship model built in 2006.

Rusty,

Very fine example of ship model art.  Also a very good kit prepared by Chuck.

Regards,

Pete

Harley, Bob,

I started with an old yellow box kit but retained very little from the original kit.  Good luck on your Newsboy builds.

Regards,

Pete

Modeler Bob,

Several years ago I laid up my Brigantine Newsboy 1854 and 14 Gun Brig Fair American circa 1780 to pursue a series of full scale shipbuilding projects.  I have since relocated to Indio CA.  Once we get the house set up I hope to establish a small shop in the garage.  Although I continue to support full scale shipbuilding programs, I hope to have more time at home and plan to pick up construction of the afore mentioned models.

Regards,

Pete

Shipbuilder

Rat-Fink,

I use a surface gauge to mark the waterline with the hull positioned in a building cradle that holds the hull level to the waterline.  Counters for the building cradle are taken from the building plans.

Regards,

Pete 

Ken,

Nice looking model.  I agree that the furled sails add a new dimension to the model.

Regards,

Pete

Steve,

Good to see another solid hull build log.  I prefer Plank on Solid (POS) construction for its accuracy and providing a solid support for planking.  For ships with copper sheathing I recess the upper hull to accommodate hull planking.  This picture is from my Topsail Schooner EAGLE  1847 build log.

Regards,

Pete

Steve,

I use laminated basswood for my scratch built POS hulls.  Pilot Schooner "Katy" and Brigantine "Newsboy" were machine carved kit hulls using laminated basswood (or similar).  I have had no problem with cracking or delamination despite moving from New Hampshire (hot/cold and humid) to San Diego (hot and dry).  I use dark Tilebond glue in gluing up the laminated hull blocks.

Steve,

My Topsail Schooner "Eagle" 1847 1:64 scale build was scratch built using plank on solid (POS) construction while my Brigantine "Newsboy" 1854 1:64 scale build was POS construction using a machine carved hull.  As these hulls were coppered, I recessed the upper hull 3/64" to accommodate hull planking.  On both hulls I used 1/32" bulwark planking and 3/64" hull planking.  I prefer a wood fiber filler by Carpenters vs softer spackling fillers.  Pictures below illustrate "Eagle" and "Newsboy" construction respectively:

Elia,

Nice looking spars and rigging ironwork.  I look forward to seeing your work on silkspan sails as I plan to go that way for future builds.

Regards,

Pete

Jeremy,

I prefer to use scale length planks and it helps in the shaped areas of your hull.  I have attached a table of plank butts and pictures from my "Fair American" build.

Pete

All,

We have relocated from Hancock, NH to our home in San Diego, CA.  I have also kept busy with my full size 1:1 scale shipbuilding projects.  I am now setting up my shop and hoping to return to modeling in the near future.  First project will be to rig the Brigantine Newsboy 1854 and complete the 14 Gun Brig Fair American circa 1780.

Regards,

Pete

Chuck,

When carving the lower hull I secure the hull block to a reference board that provides a common baseline for station/profile templates.  Shaping of decks and bulwarks is performed in a cradle that supports the model with the waterline level.

Regards,

Pete