maggsl_01

Hello again...
 
the work on the boat goes on - and makes fun. Still  I finished the first planking and have to sand it. Before I do I will continue on the deck and cover all constructions there. The deck planking is done too, waht was no problem.  I am curious how the finish of the deck will work. I do not know yet what will be the best way to seal the planks there, what vernish will be the best. Perhaps somebody can give some good advice? I would like to preserve the wooden Color but also want a "used" impression... How do you test this? I dont want to use some color or varnish or wax (I think furniture wax can do a good job?) on the deck - and then be dissapointed about the result... I will cover the bulwark with wooden strips instead of the actual condition. Then I will use some filler on the irregularities on the hulls first planking and sand all...
 
thx for your Attention

Hello, a few days ago I started a second project: The Russian brig Mercury.


The original

The Russian 20 gun brig Mercury (Меркурий) was laid down in Sevastopol on January 28, 1819 and launched on 7 May 1820. She was designed as a patrol ship to guard the Nothern Caucasus coast. The Mercury fought in many important naval battles during her career.

The kit

The weight of the box is really notable. The shipping details showing the kit weighed 6 kg. No wonder, the 5 mm MDF for keel and frames weighs more than plywood. Furthermore the kit contains many brass etched parts, 17 plan sheets, a flag set, a 20-page step-by-step instuction (hull assembly only) and much more.

Scale: 1:64
Length overall: 860mm
Height overall: 654mm


 


I wonder why there are no building logs. In fact I found only one in a Russian forum. Is there something wrong with this kit? Or with the ship?
Anyway, let‘s start!


 

 


The false deck and the gundeck are a special feature of the kit. The planks are laser-engraved.
 

 


It looks pretty nice. Unfortunately it‘s plywood.

Next stage and the first problem was to fit the plywood gun port patterns. I‘ve soaked the parts for one hour, but for all that it wasn‘t possible for me bending the patterns vertically. So I planked the bulwark with 1x4 mm stripes. That means a little more work but much more easy on the nerves. Later on I can use the gun port pattern for marking the gunports.
 


The planks are only glued among each other, not to the frames.
 
And here we have the bulwark; still without the gunports:
 

 

So, this is my very first build. I'm a bit lost in places and still trying to figure it all out. I would love some advice about the issues I'm facing. Please excuse my limited ship lingo; I'm still learning but will do my best;).
Firstly, the walnut parts of the false keel don't seem to fit together properly. I lined the bottom piece up with the stern piece, but that then left a gap in the middle. I was reading the fixing boo-boo forum and was wondering if the method of sanding down some scrap walnut, mixing it with dilute PVA glue and using it to plug the crack would work?
Secondly, the 6th bulkhead isn't level with the top part of the false keel but is in line with the bottom of the ply part of the false keel like the other bulkheads. Is this a problem? If so, how would I attempt to correct it, bearing in mind that my wood-working skill are limitted and I'm learning as I go?
Thirdly, as far as planking goes, I've been reading the tutorials and looking at Dan Page's build log of the same model and I'm a bit confused. All the tuts speak about dividing the keel into bands and using stuff like a planking fan, but the instructions on my model just start laying planks from the deck down, no lining off or anything, and then just filling in the resulting triangular stern gaps with stealers. Now I'm not expecting the most prestine or accurate hull out, I am a beginner, but if I follow the instructions on my model, am I going to run into more issues than it's worth? Which method is easier?
I've attached photos to illustrate what I'm talking about:).

Howdy all
 
the work takes its time - but it goes on an on. I am very pleased with this kit. It gives me tasks zu fulfill, but in a way I can do. Even as I am not expierenced with wooden modelling I get along with it. And I can learn how to handle the materials and the things to do - like planking the deck or the hull.
 
I enjoy the building very much
 
Some pics show the progress of my Half Moon
 
thx - max

Hallo --- get all aboard
 
I have done it: I ordered the Half Moon by Corel, will be delivered soon (within 4 days they said). I was not sure if I dare to build a wooden ship indeed, but now the way is here and has to be walked. I will open a log - perhaps... not sure if I have the courage to show my first built to all this experts around here... But: There is no expert that became expert by birth. So I hope I can learn and get some help from the friendly shipyard owners in the world
 
CU soon with a Half Moon

18/03/2012
Well, I've not opened a bottle yet: maybe when I will have a case done for Le Camaret... And as I don't have a clear idea on how to rig the legs yet, I leave that for when I have a chance to go back to the seacoast (Remark 2013: not done yet...) and I give you a few more shots of my now finished model:



 



 

 
---

(Remark 2013: more pics in the completed model gallery...)
 
24/02/2013
She does not have a case yet but she is now at my parents', having survived a three-hour train trip in an overcrowded wagon last Christmas with only one wound: a ring connecting the "upper gaff?" to the upper part of the mast broke. It was easily repaired with a new brass ring and she now stands proudly in my parents' bedroom waiting for me to come back and fetch her!

Hi Guys,
 
Here's my new update just to show I haven't been sitting on my laurels ( painfull ).
 
I have fitted a new worktop to my space and removed one of the shelves, this is to allow for an ever growing Aggy, 6ft x 2ft 6ins, with scope for some shelving underneath should the mood take me.
 
As far as the Aggy is concerned all the gun port lids are now fitted with accompanying ropes, one problem, looking at the channels there is a fowl up, the ropes lay across where the channels will be fitted, this only occurs on the first two lids, it means that I am going to have to fill in some holes when the ropes are removed,  not a major problem but annoying all the same.
 
The figure head is now fitted and I have made 3 shackles on the bow for the Bobstays. I have also added some extra chains to the rudder chain.
 
I am currently working on the channels and have 3 sizes of deadeyes 3.5mm, 5mm and 7mm, my only problem there is that my 5mm deadeyes are triangular, they should be round, a quick call to Caldercraft and I should have some winging their way to me as I write this, they also want the others back so no spares there then.
 
She also has another 26 teeth, all the dummy guns are now fitted to main deck.
 
I do have a few pics.
 
Figurehead fitted with shackles below.

 
Gun port lids on the Port side

 
All guns fitted

 
Extra chains fitted to the rudder chain

 
General overview from the port quarter

 
Next step is to build and fit the channels and then it's on to the ships boats.
 
Be Good
 
mobbsie
 
 
 
 

Hi Guys,
 
Mort, Grant & Jeff, Thank you so much for your very kind words, coming from you guys it's a real compliment.
 
As requested some pics of the boats sitting in position on the boat beams, they are not fixed yet because I need to get to some cavel cleats on the gun deck.
 
The boats are in their correct position and order so all that's needed to fix them is a spot of glue on the cradles.
 

 

 

 
I have now moved the Aggy out of the workroom because I am going to be making sawdust, I don't want to have to be cleaning her up because she's covered in the stuff. I could just cover her but when wielding long sticks about some damage may occur.
 
The length of the Lower Main Mast is 465mm, the overall height of the Main Mast is going to be 974mm off the ship.
 
That's it for now gents, thank you again for your kind comments.
 
Be Good
 
mobbsie
 
 

Hi Popeye,
 
The PDF is indeed on the Corel site.  You can find it here: http://www.corel-srl.it/VASCELLISTORICI.html
 
I will post the 8 sheets with the drawings here. I haven't reduced the size, so just click on them for a bigger picture.
 
Anja
 
  
 
    
 
 
 
  

I love the log
 
I decided to build the Half Moon by Corel as my first wooden ship-model. I hope I can start almost in the mid of November. I had to prepare my working room and know will buy some Tools. As soon as I start I will ask you ALL for help  but I will tgry to puiblish a build log too to get tips, hints and improvement.
 
Will be back soon

I love the log
 
I decided to build the Half Moon by Corel as my first wooden ship-model. I hope I can start almost in the mid of November. I had to prepare my working room and know will buy some Tools. As soon as I start I will ask you ALL for help  but I will tgry to puiblish a build log too to get tips, hints and improvement.
 
Will be back soon

everyone and  welcome (back) to my second buildlog.
 
I started this buildlog on May 4th 2012.  I will repost my log from the beginning.  So here goes………...

The discovery ship the Half Moon was a small and lightly armed galleon, although in VOC documents it is called a Yacht. And by Emanuel van Meteren (a Flemish Historian) even vlieboot (flyboat).

The original Half Moon (Halve Maen) was commissioned on March 25, 1609, for the Dutch East India Company. She was a ship of exploration and the spaceship of her age, designed to take a crew of twenty into unknown and uncharted waters.
 
Hired by the Dutch East India Company to find a Northeast, all-water route to Asia. but only a month out of port, the Dutch/English crew of his ship was disheartened after their passage north of Norway was blocked by Arctic ice floes. Many talked of mutiny.  Sitting in his cabin, the concerned captain considered  his dilemma and options. A compromise was made. The course was changed and what began as a search for a Northeast passage became a transatlantic crossing to look for a Northwest passage to the rich spice. trade of China. Of course, some think that Hudson's intention all along was to go Northwest.
 
Hudson in North America
 
After reaching the Maine coast and replacing a foremast lost in rough storms during her Atlantic crossing. the Half Moon sailed southward as far as the present day North Carolina Outer Banks. Then, turning northward, Hudson explored the Delaware Bay before arriving at the mouth of a wide river. Could this be a passage to the Pacific Ocean?

Hudson stopped at points on the New Jersey coast before sailing the small ship up the river which today bears the Captain's name, the Hudson River, but it was soon obvious that it was an inland river, not a west-ward passage. Hudson sailed upriver to present-day Albany before returning down river, and claiming the region for the Dutch.

It would be many years before the significance of Hudson s 1609 voyage to America would be understood, and the Half Moon universally recognized as one of the best known ships of exploration.

The Half Moon’s Specifications

The ship assigned to Hudson by the Dutch East India Company was small by 17th-century standards. Built in a Dutch shipyard of German and Danish lumber with a high forecastle and sterncastle, she resembledthe so-called Vlie boats the Dutch used on the Zuider Zee. England and the Netherlands were then fierce commercial rivals. The Dutch had a fleet of 1,680 ships, vastly outnumbering the 350 available to the English.

Being lighter and narrower, with their frames spaced much wider apart and using lighter planking topside, Dutch ships were faster than their English competitors, which had tightly spaced frames. Unlike English shipbuilders, the Dutch built their oceangoing vessels with flat bottoms to negotiate the shallow entrance to the Zuider Zee.

Because the original Half Moon was built using a simple geometric method called the tangent arc system, no comprehensive plans have survived. Even in the 17th century, industrial espionage was common; this may also explain why no plans have ever been found.

Although the Half Moon has a large amount of sheer (the upward curve of the longitudinal lines of the hull), the decks remain surprisingly level. Today, boats are built with decks following the sweep of the sheer. A horizontal deck offered many advantages: on warships with gun ports in a line, cannons on wheeled carriages could easily be served and moved. Level decks also could be flooded when needed, lowering the risk of fire and
explosion.

The rig and sail plan of the Half Moon are typical of square-rigged ships of the period: a square foresail and topsail on the foremast and foretopmast; a square mainsail and topsail on the mainmast and main topmast; a triangular lateen sail hung on a long yard attached at an angle to the top of the mizzenmast. A square spritsail hanging from the bowsprit. In all, the sail area measured about 2,800 square feet.

Type of ship : Yacht
 
Construction : Build in 1608 for the chamber of Amsterdam at a shipyard in Amsterdam

Purpose : Used by the Dutch East India Company from 1609 to 12/1618
 
Loading capacity : 80 Tons
Crew : 15-20
Sail Area : 256,13 m²
Length on deck : 25.9 m.
On the keel length : 19.7 m.
Height : 23.8 m.
Width : 5.3 m.
Draught : 2.6 m.

 
Thank you for watching and enjoy!

Take care,
 
Anja

I believe she's finished now:
 

 
I scratched the waterpump:
 

well i'm over happy with this ship.Thanks to every ones input, comments and likes.. Glad there is no Dislike button. :S
 
Also there..
 

Hi Lieutenant Micklen
 
as I am a fan of Mr Cook and his Endeavour I love your log. I want to do this ship too but have not yet decided which one... OcCre, Caldercraft, Corel, Mantua... So I am very excited to read and see the progess you make as help for a decision. And of course if you can give me some tips... I am open for that
 
Good luck
 
Max

Thx to all...
 
The Krick models are indeed very interesting, esp "Alert" and "Karl und Marie". I see I will start with a less difficult model like this ones or the one you all suggested. Now the time will be filled with looking at catalogues, looking into the portemonnaie, asking my sweet wife, which one she wants and at least buying. Next step will be my question about the necessary tools...