CaptainSteve

A quick note regarding the whale-boat winches. Ever since seeing them installed on another build here on MSW, I had decided I wanted to add them to mine. They actually proved quite easy to make. The middle pieces, the "drums", are simply some beads that I found in a store, and the two ends are merely the tips from a pair of chop-sticks left-over from takeaway night. I simply cut these ends off, sanded them down to fit and attached the bead/drum between them. Some holes were drilled thru for the poles to wind the winches (and these poles will be included later as "furniture"). I had wanted to add some tiny gear wheels to the ends to simulate the ratchets to wind them. But, despite getting hold of a pack of watch parts, the sizes were just wrong, so the gears were left off. As the last pic shows, I'm now working on cap-rails for the two whale-boats.

Thanks guys. The cleats turned out better than I hoped, Geoff. Of course, I imagine I'll need to do another 50 or so of them later on, but I plan to worry about that problem when the time comes ... I admit that my progress is slow ... My small work-table sits in the corner of the room, with the boats virtually accusing me of procrastination on a daily basis. I've started on cap-rails, as well as fitting a winch to the one (un-stolen) whale-boat.

Wes, Fantastic work, I must say !! My only complaint is that you (and all the other Connie builders) are adding YEARS to my own build time !! (Oh well, I'll get over it) Keep the pics coming.

Despite the tediously slow speed at which this build-log develops, I can re-assure you that work does continue ... just at a hideously slow rate. This week saw cleats made. I used a variation of a brilliant method shown here on MSW ... After drilling the holes, I widened them out with a circular file, cut them to separate and then finished shaping. Here they are on the three existing boats ...

Love your work to date !!! I, too, am building Connie, and am also hoping to do an 1812 version. As the kit I chose is designed around Connie's current make-up, I put out a call asking for input on the very question of what her stern window configuration would have been back in 1812. One contributor put me in touch with an MSW member who is actually a member of the USS Constitution historical re-enactment group ... I include part of his response here and hope it helps you: 'She was pierced for and carried 30 guns on the gun deck and carried 14 carronades on the quarter deck (rated as a 44). The carronades on the fore deck were added later bringing her war of 1812 armament to 50 - 54 guns (including bow chasers). The transom was ornately decorated and had 5 windows' The full response is included in my own build-log. As well, I dug up some of the Corne paintings and put them in my log. Hope you find this info useful.

modeller, I haven't reached this stage in my own Connie build as yet, so I cannot help you with your question. However, if you were to do a search of the kit-based forum for MS, Model Shipways & Constitution, I'm certain you would find the answer to your problem. There are a great number of extremely talented builders on here who have helped me with ways, means and ideas. This list is by no means complete - and my apologies to anyone I have missed - but just some of my favourites which I'd recommend you might like to check are builds by: modeller12, briddoch, CapnHarv2 and Geoff Maston.

A brief few hours at the ship-wright's table today saw the fenders on the pinnace removed, rebuilt and replaced. Glue is still drying on these modifications but, essentially, the fenders have been lowered approx. 5mm to allow for red splash-boards and oar-locks to be added. My oar-locks started life as links in a (cheap) gold chain. These were cut in halves (nail-clippers proved ideal), and then fitted into grooves filed into the splash-boards with a circular file. I think this look is a definite improvement over the previous pic. (Arrr ... those oar-locks are a little difficult to spot in this photograph. Also, I need to touch up the paintwork and shape the port fender.)

Henry, Thank you for your input. Your information has answered at least a couple of my main concerns regarding constructing an 1812 replica.

Would it be the Henry B. Hyde ??

Work continues on those fenders this weekend. As well, a start has been made on cap-rails. I umm-ed and ahh-ed for quite awhile on exactly how to do those, as the curves required to be put into them are in both the horizontal and vertical planes (except the pinnace). I think I've come up with a workable solution. Whilst out and about for work during the past week, I happened to mention my hobby to a client, only to learn that he and his wife had actually visited the real Connie recently. The following are a couple of pics he graciously sent me. These are chopped-down versions of the pics - the originals show up the scroll details beautifully. Thanks again, Ken.

Glad you like 'em, Geoff. To be honest, I was a little worried that someone (like yourself) was gunna tell me that the ropes were not historically accurate. So far, only the pinnace has these fitted, but I will forge ahead with ropes for the remaining boats now.

Steps over the bow-sprit ??? I'm gunna need to see those !!!

Just a couple of pics to keep everybody's appetite satiated .... Firstly, the replacement whale-boat as it stands now. I'll probably skip any further pics of this until it is back to where it was previously. Next are some of the fenders whilst in production: After pre-soaking and bending, each strip was slightly grooved at precisely measured intervals (16mm). This allowed for exactly 9 loops along the length of each fender. Short lengths of black cotton were cut to 25mm lengths, the idea being to make each hanging loop roughly the same size. It was a bit fiddly trying to fit these, but with two sets of tweezers (one set are the self-closing type), numerous glueing of fingers to the fenders, and copious use of sea-faring language, I got there in the end. And this is the pinnace with fenders fitted ...

Texxn5, Thanks for the tip-off. I've sent a (rather long-winded) PM to Henry as you suggested and am now hoping he may be able to shed some light on a few of my questions.

Sorry for neglecting my ship-building duties for so long, everyone. I promise to have myself keel-hauled. What can I say, but, Arrr !! The replacement templates for the missing (hi-jacked) whaleboat arrived just the other day. These have been glued (except for the bottom piece) and are currently drying, before shaping takes place. I envision it won't take too long to be back where I was before. At least this time I know how I want it to look, and have its' twin to follow along. In addition, a complete clean-up of my (very small) build table took place just this morning. As of this moment, six thin strips are soaking before meeting my curling iron. These will form the fenders, with the cap-rails going on top. As mentioned previously, I intend to fit loops of thread (mooring ropes) to the ship's boats. Pics soon (when there is something to be photographed).

Pray tell. What's in this upgrade package ??

Jeronimo, I was trying to find the words to describe this magnificent build, but words fail me. I'm speechless !! Even though I will probably never venture to the dark-side of modelling (scratch-building), I'll be following along from now on just for the stunning eye-candy. You are a master-modeller !! Keep it coming.

Michael, A stunning build of a stunningly beautiful ship !! First class throughout. It's enough to make me add the Wasa to my list of future builds. (I actually bought a kit of this one quite a few years back, but was extremely disappointed with the Billings' interpretation and ending up consigning that kit to Davy Jones' Locker.) Oh well, one day ....

Wes, I know precisely what you mean, because I am exactly the same. Whether we are building a Connie, SoS, Mayflower or Victory, we can only build our models to look the way which we, ourselves, want them to look. Whether we choose to go with how someone else (the kit designer) has chosen, or by referencing paintings, or by cross-checking historical records, I think it is ultimately up to the individual to decide how he/she wants their own build to look. Now not wishing to muddy the waters further for Connie builders, I include a pic of the latest book I have purchased ... The following is a quote from the pen of Mr Roosevelt: "There is a curious parallelism in the errors of (all) sides (of historical research). For example, the American, Mr Low, writing in 1813 tells how the Constitution, 44 (guns), captured the Guerriere of 49 guns, while the British lieutenant Low, writing in 1880, tells how the Pelican, 18 (guns) captured the Argus of 20 guns. Each records the truth but not the whole truth, for although rating 44 and 18 guns the victors carried respectively 54 and 21 guns, of heavier metal than those of their antagonists." I bought this book because I have been a student of history almost my entire life. And I admit that I have a near insatiable appetite for the history of any project which I am working on. But 54 guns ?!?! I must confess that this was a detail which I had never encountered before. I am currently scratching my head pondering where to put the additional 10 guns, as I really do not wish to challenge the authority of Theodore Roosevelt !!! (I'll get back to you if I find any mention of the transom details in this book.)

Wes, With regards the red bulwark strip, I had already decided to do away with it for my own build, but I think some other Connie builders have included it. For me, it came back to memories of the old plastic model kits (of Connie) which I remember from my younger days. By the way, I've been silently following your build and think you're doing a fantastic job on it. Keep up the great work. I'm particularly interested in seeing how you do your stern transom.

Ahh keel-hauling !!! Those were the days !!

Geoff, I agree with you completely!! I find it particularly sad that way too many of the dogs found in refuges are there because too many people fall in love with a cute lil puppy and have no concept that it will very quickly grow up. They have no idea how to look after and train their dogs, then become angry when the dog displays behaviour that is instinctive and natural, especially considering that the poor animal is most likely not exercised and/or is left locked up in a small backyard. Next thing you know, frustrated Fido has destroyed a $500 pair of golf shoes (that shouldn't have been left within reach in the first place!!), and a trip to the local animal shelter follows. I don't think I have to tell you, my friend, but remember, a dog is for life - not just for Christmas !!

Wes, That book (Anatomy of the Ship) has a wealth of info on Connie. There are heaps of plans and diagrams on every aspect of her construction and I am certain that it will be of immense value once I get around to working on the actual ship - as opposed to the life-boats. In particular, I found the section on the history of the Constitution to be very interesting. AOTS actually portrays a number of possible stern window assemblies - there are 5-, 6- and 8 window versions displayed - so a great deal of conjecture exists as to which was correct under a specific commander and at a specific time/battle. It seems the variations are due, in part, to various interpretations of art works produced showing the Constitution. As to building an 1812 representation, there seems to be a lot of speculation on how she looked, and not a whole lot of definitive evidence. For me, as for the author of that book, one of the better sources appears to be the artist Michele Felice Corne. Basing my decision mostly on reproductions I have found of his works, I will probably go for the 6-window configuration - although that choice may change later. AOTS covers the entire history of Connie, and, as such, doesn't focus a great deal of time on the 1812 period. One criticism, I thought it a bit disappointing that there weren't more colour photographs of the ship as she stands today. But, personally, I think it IS a very good book, although I'm not really qualified to say if there are better. Hope that helps ... and if you find a better book, please let me know.

On the ship-building side of things, I must confess that little has been accomplished lately. I am still awaiting the arrival of the replacement templates for the missing whale-boat. The past weekend saw me (finally) getting back to work with the benches and gangway of the Captain's gig being replaced. The scale of what I had done seemed wrong, but is more to my liking now.

Thank you for your thoughts, Geoff, and very sorry to hear about Star. But, hey, 16 years - that's an extremely good innings for a canine companion. To me, that only says that you must have been one heck of a good master. My girl was around before and through my first two builds - and guarded my work-space closely. NO-ONE, not even the ex-GF, was allowed in there without me - you try arguing with a Rottweiler that's sayin' 'No'!! (As things turned out, Sempei was a better judge of character than I !!!) A StBernard, hey ?? I haven't given much thought to another dog at this stage - but one of the ole Alpine rescue dogs would certainly be high on that list, for sure.