KevinR

Hello everyone;
 
Last summer, I decide to try my hand at a wooden ship, again.  My first experience ended in a failure, but I never gave up the dream of completing a wooden ship.   I settled on trying my hand with Occre's Polaris.  (Build log should start soon)
 
Since joining MSW in November, I've been lurking around and learning.  I have seen some lovely builds that have been bookmarked for reference.   I have also looked at builds of ships and such that I had never considered building.    It's with awe that I look at the talent and experience that was on display.      I don't spend much time on social media sites, but this one has a friendly vibe. (Shout out the moderators and members)
 
On the personal side, I'm an middle aged accountant that likes to read and visit with his family.  The Admiral likes to scrapbook.
 
Cheers,
David

16,000 pictures on my phone, if I don’t post pictures here when I get them I might not find them again lol. 
 
It’s getting closer to finished. 
 
A pack of threaders was worth it, it makes easy work of threading multiple times in the same hole. 
 

 

 

Hello everyone, 
My name is Derrick I’m 42 and I’m from Silverton Oregon. I’ve been lurking in the forums now for 6 months or so and decide to finally introduce myself. 
I am new to model ship building only starting to build in the last couple months. Ive completed the Model Shipways 3 ship shipwright kit and found it to be an absolute joy to complete. My wife might say otherwise as I had a few frustrating moments lol. 
I am currently working on Occre’s Polaris kit and I’m finding it to be fun. I just finished the second planking and am working on the deck and rigging. Though I find Occre’s instructions decent, especially the pictures, overall they are lacking a bit with any descriptive information. Especially the rigging. Thankfully there are some amazing build logs here on MSW that have been invaluable to me as a beginner. 
I came into this hobby with almost no nautical or maritime knowledge. I just wanted to build cool looking ships and boats. I still know almost nothing but it’s been a damn blast learning the little bit I have so far. Ive found that learning about the ships, the terminology, how they sail ect. has been equally as fun as building them and I wasn’t expecting that. Anyway I’ve rambled long enough. 
I just want to end by saying Thank you for having me and Thanks to everyone for all the incredible knowledge you have gathered here. It’s truly awesome. 

Waiting for sail glue to dry is brutal. I’ve found ways to decrease build time with Titebond quick and thick, and some 5 min epoxy. Waiting for white glue to dry/cure is brutal. 
 
Measure 3 times mark once. Seams should have been 3/4 inch spacing. I miscalculated and made it 7/8 or so. I added the seams to my calculation, I didn’t notice the seam was 3/4 front edge to front edge. Every ship has a math error on it. It’s like my trade mark. 🤣. Only sharp eyes will see it anyways. 
 

 

 

 
 

Sorry for for not posting for so long. Life has gotten in the way. A kitchen remodel, den remodel and a grandson with a lot of health issues. I kept telling myself that, I will have plenty of time to build all of my models, when I retire.
  I really do not want to wait that long, so I plan to return to my shop and pickup where l left off. Of course a lot of junk has accumulated in my shop over the last couple of years and will need to be delt with first.
 
So, keep watching and I plan to post updates soon.  
 

Hi guys 
 
New around here, 
 
are there any members who like building steam boats ?
 
my background is mainly plan-scratch built rc aircraft 
 
Irl job marine engineer 20 years !
 
just building a nice 42” mahogany steam ship with scratch built boiler and engine 

I’ll just do the entire sheet in one stop. It will be dry by morning I hope. 
 
I’ve got a large pile of ships I could start next. Wrapping this one up is important. Then the longboat. The scale rope order arrived today, I got enough for the Bluenose too. 
 

Step 40 Fairleads done
Step 41 Trail Boards done 
Step 43 Chainplates done 
Step 44 Cleats done, turnbuckles has one bad forming, getting a replacement soon hopefully. 
Step 45 Mast, made out of a dowel rod. Biggest take way is the 7:10:7 method to make stuff round, one of the shining learnings building this Smack. 
Step 46 Mast fittings. Done. Put the mast hoops on after installing the cleats, 🙄. 
Step 47 Boom. Done.
Step 48 Gaff. Done.
Step 49 Stropping blocks, done. 
 
Ready for step 50, making sails. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

The Ships

The lovely iron barque 'Ethel' was built in Sunderland in 1876 as the 'Carmelo'.  In 1891 she was sold to Australian owners who renamed her 'Ethel' and traded successfully until January 1904, when she was driven ashore on a small and remote beach on the southern Yorke Peninsula of South Australia in a severe storm.  One young crew member was drowned trying to swim a line ashore but the remainder of the crew were later rescued.



The 'Ethel' berthed in Hobart
 
The first vessel on the scene of the wreck was the Adelaide Steamship Company's S.S. 'Ferret', which was built at Glasgow in 1871 and later stolen by confidence tricksters and steamed to Australia.  The plot unravelled in Melbourne when a port official became suspicious of the ship’s true identity and the ship was seized and later sold to the Adelaide Company.  'Ferret' was unable to assist the 'Ethel' due to the severe weather at the time, but reported the loss and was later able to assist in the rescue of the crew.

 
In a bizarre coincidence, the ‘Ferret’ was caught in a sudden dense fog off the southern Yorke Peninsula in November 1920 and ran aground on the very same beach that had claimed the ‘Ethel’.  The ‘Ferret’s’ Master was censured by the Board of Inquiry for ‘not exercising due care’.




 The 'Ferret' in Port Adelaide
 
The Wrecks

The ‘Ethel’ was thrown high onto the beach above the high water mark by the storm that wrecked her, where she remained with her hull more or less intact until 1986, when another severe storm broke the weakened hull up.

The ‘Ferret’ was not as fortunate as she was wrecked in the surf line and quickly broke up.


Much of the cargo from both vessels was able to be salvaged at the times of the wrecks, apart from several barrels of beer from the ‘Ferret’s’ cargo which was washed up onto the beach and went ‘missing’!



The 'Ethel' and the 'Ferret' on Ethel Beach shortly after the 'Ferret's' stranding
 
Today

The remains of the ‘Ethel’ are still easily visible high up on the beach today and are very easily recognised as a shipwreck, in spite of the work done by the 1986 storm.

 
As the ‘Ferret’ broke up in the surf there is very little to see of her now.  Sometimes the sand will wash away from a part of the wreck as it had on the day of our visit a few weeks ago, leaving the end plate of the boiler just protruding from the sand – the rest of the boiler is buried under the beach along with the remainder of the wreck.



The Remains of the 'Ether' today
 

Faceplate of the 'Ferret's' boiler just protruding above the sand

welcome back!  looking forward to seeing your progress!

Sorry for for not posting for so long. Life has gotten in the way. A kitchen remodel, den remodel and a grandson with a lot of health issues. I kept telling myself that, I will have plenty of time to build all of my models, when I retire.
  I really do not want to wait that long, so I plan to return to my shop and pickup where l left off. Of course a lot of junk has accumulated in my shop over the last couple of years and will need to be delt with first.
 
So, keep watching and I plan to post updates soon.  
 

Sorry for for not posting for so long. Life has gotten in the way. A kitchen remodel, den remodel and a grandson with a lot of health issues. I kept telling myself that, I will have plenty of time to build all of my models, when I retire.
  I really do not want to wait that long, so I plan to return to my shop and pickup where l left off. Of course a lot of junk has accumulated in my shop over the last couple of years and will need to be delt with first.
 
So, keep watching and I plan to post updates soon.  
 

Sorry for for not posting for so long. Life has gotten in the way. A kitchen remodel, den remodel and a grandson with a lot of health issues. I kept telling myself that, I will have plenty of time to build all of my models, when I retire.
  I really do not want to wait that long, so I plan to return to my shop and pickup where l left off. Of course a lot of junk has accumulated in my shop over the last couple of years and will need to be delt with first.
 
So, keep watching and I plan to post updates soon.  
 

I plan on having my grandson participate in building the Jenny. He just turned six so I'm going to have him work on the deck cabin and see how it goes. I can always fix what doesn't work out. Spending the time will be priceless😄

I purchased the Model Shipway Roger B. Taney kit that I found on Ebay. The price was to good to pass up. I was more interested in the plans than in the kit itself. I have included some pictures of the kit content if anyone is interested.


Lots of tiny parts. Metal belaying pins, wood blocks. The deadeys are either metal or a hard plastic.

Anyone have an idea of what type of wood the hull is?


One discrepancy I noticed is the steering. According to Chepelle, Morris Class Revenue Cutters (Roger Taney was of the this class) were the first government vessels fitted with geared steering wheels. He gives a pretty good description in "The History of the American Sailing Navy".

The scale is 1' = 5/32". If I did my math correctly that is 1:77.
The second descrepency is the length is listed as 73' 4". This tells me the plans are not for the Cutter Roger B. Taney. The plans are for either the Cutters Morris, Alexander Hamilton, Albert Gallatin or the Andrew Jackson.  The Cutter Roger Taney was based off of the plans for the Cutter Morris, but was 74' 6" in length.

The instructions are all of 4 pages.

 
Over all I believe the kit would create a nice model. There are some inaccurate details. The Cutter Roger Taney was based off of the Cutter Morris, but it was 1' 2" longer. At this scale it would be hard to tell the difference. The steering is the big issue. In "The History of the American Sailing Navy" Chapelle describes the geared steering mechanism yet in his plans "Inboard arrangement for Morris and class", he shows the barrel type steering.
 
So which type of steering did the Revenue Cutter Roger B. Taney have?
 
If anyone has any opinions, insight, more or better information please chime in.
 
Till next time, see Ya!

Should get back to it next month.

Test build #1, worked awhile putting this one together to see if it will work for all the others. I discovered it will work ok, just have to fine tune some drying procedures and watch the coloring as I add some extra pieces. This isn't a finished sail for install as it was application procedural technic. The wire will not be incorporated as I was going to do, these mold into shapes nicely and eliminates a extra step towards the final product.
 
Some images:
Adding some definition pieces along with strengthening the sail.
 

 

 

Adding the rope for the sails:
 

 

 

Tie offs in miniature:
 

 

Seems the coloring works well with the model but I will be adding white highlights to the sails for some more definition.
 

Hello Everyone and thanks for stopping by.
Today I attempted to make my first metal parts, the Pentle and Gudgeon.

The first try went well. It looked good until I tried to trim it with the rotary tool. It heated up and twisted in the vise.
 

The second try went better (not smoother). I kept dropping the tiny parts on the floor. I had to re-cut a couple of times because I could not find it.

I used a hand saw to cut the tubing this time and a lot more hand filing.
I still need to notch the rudder so the gudgeon is centered under the rudder post.
 

This is the tin snips I purchased to cut the sheet of brass. I am hoping I can find some smaller. This pair is too large and makes it hard to see the score marks for cutting. Anyone have a recommendation?
 
Well that is it for today. Tomorrow is a holiday so I may get more time in tomorrow.
Untill next time,
 
Catch Yall Later,
 
 
 

Hello Everyone and thanks for stopping by.
Well I have just a quick update. I Competed building the rudder. I made it from 1/4x1/4" poplar, sanded down to 1/4x1/8" and then glued up. Sorry forgot to take pictures of the in-between. I then shaped it using my belt sander. This weekend I plan on starting on my attempts to make the pintle, and gudgeon for the rudder. This will be my first attempt at making metal parts, wish me luck.

Completed Rudder and Skeg.


Rudder and Skeg Dry Fitted.


 
Until next time!
 
Catch Yall Later,

The sides have been cut down, so it now looks more like a skipjack. I am currently working on the skeg and the stem facing.




Here is the skeg glued up and ready to b shaped.
 
Well I have a snow day tomorrow, so my plan is to complete the skeg and the stem facing. I hope to have something for show and tell at the next club meeting.
 
Catch Yall Later,

Thanks for stopping by. I know it has been a while since I posted an update. Life just keeps getting in the way. Well I finished adding the side frames to the 1899 hull and planked the bottom. The next step is to cut the side planks down to where they need to be. Then I will start working on the 1942 hull to get it caught up with the 1899 hull.


I started out gluing on e plank at a time. Half way though the planking I started gluing multiple planks together. This made it easier to bend the planks to the chin log. This created a smoother planking.
 

The finished planking.



 
With winter here, I am hoping to spend more time in the shipyard.
 
Catch Yall Later,

Thank you for stopping by. Well I got some more done on my Albatross. I was able to get 2 planks on both side of the 1942 Albatross. While waiting on glue to dry, I worked on making the 40+ side frames for the 1899 Albatross.
 

Gluing the second plank.
 

4 planks done.
 

Making the jig to produce the side frames.
 

The first step was to cut the 3/16" wide strips down to 5/32". Then cut a 3/32" notch on one end. The notch will go over the chin log. This will represent a 2-1/2"x5" frame.
 

40 Side Frames.
 
I still need to add 3 rows of planks onto the 1942 Albatross. I hope to complete that by next weekend. I also need to make the side frames for the 1942 Albatross.
 
Catch Yall Later,

Ron, I have been wanting to learn CAD, just have never found enough time are patience to dive in. Maybe now is the time to give it a go.
 
Today, I sanded the second keel to the correct shape. I acquired a shop vacuum while working on the remodeling. By connecting the vacuum to the sander, I can run it inside the house. I no longer have to run in and out to sand a part.

 
I also worked on drawing the transom. Since I do not know CAD, I did it the old fashioned way with T-Square and Drawing board.

The Transom is the same for both boats. The 1942 version is just taller. The Transom is tilted at 42deg. The dashed lines at the bottom is the tapper for planking. There is 3 inch camber to the deck and that is shown by the lines on the side and in the center.The angle of the transom makes drawing the camber a bit tricky. I figured I would deal with it, when I get ready to lay th deck.
 
My goal this week is to get the transoms cut out, and create the rudder sleeves/housing.  I need to cut the tapper into the bow stem and add a notch for the chin logs. The dead rise at the bow is 12 inches. The places the chin logs resting on the keelson.
 
All of these plans do not take into account my wife's plans though.
 
Thank you for stopping by.
 
Catch Yall Later,
 

Happy New Year Everyone! I hope everyone had a great 2015 and you have an even better 2016!
 
Well, I finished the bathroom remodel a couple of weeks back and I have finally got back to my skipjack.

 
I may not have got to work very much on the Albatross, I did thank about it often. I was thinking about the plans for the Albatross. The plans show her as she was built, as well how she appeared after being  modified to use gas powered winches (winders). I have been saying that I may come back and build the Albatross as she appeared after the modification. This would show a more complete history of skipjacks. I realized that to build both versions, it would be easier to build both hulls at the same time. I may not finish them together, but the hulls will match closer. While I worked on the remodeling I was able to put some time in, on the second keel for the later version. The new keel was such an improvement over the first keel, that I decided to create another to replace the first. Today was the first time that I was able to put any significant time on the Albatross. I was able to get all of the pieces glued and will complete the shaping tomorrow.

The new keel with the parts for the second keel. The original keel is at the top.

Gluing the aft section of the keel. I am using an aluminum angle to keep the assembly straight.

Gluing the forward section on.
 
Thank you for stopping by,
 
Catch Yall Later

My current project is the Skipjack Albatross as she was originally built in 1899. Based off of drawings found in "Notes On Chesapeake Bay Skipjacks" by Howard Chapelle. This go around I am working at a smaller scale (3/8" = 1') and using forms to ensure the correct shape and no gaffs.
 
Length bet. perps....44'-2"
Beam .....................15'-10"
Draft........................2'-9"
 
What made me choose the Albatross was that there are two versions. The As she was built (1899) and then after being modified for gas powered winders and push boat (1911~). I was looking forward to building the gas powered winders and the push boat, but she looks so much cleaner as she was built. I also like the more historical aspect of the as built plan.  I have chosen to build the As Built version of the albatross. I ordered the plans for Albatross from the Smithsonian Institute.
 

Two-sail bateau Albatross
This fine bateau has been drawn up to show her as built and as raised upon. When originally built at Cambridge in 1899, she was intended both for oystering and crabbing10. Because of her very low sides, however, she had very little room below. Hence, she was raised upon the unusual amount of 12 inches. When first built, the Albatross was considered a very fast sailer, but since being raised upon, her speed has decreased. She requires some ballast to overcome the effects of the increased windage of her sides and great flare. Generally speaking, counter-stern bateaux are are not usually as fast as those with outboard rudders, but there have been some notable exceptions.
"Notes on Chesapeake Bay Skipjacks" by Howard I. Chapelle
10. Albatross was built by George E. Leach in Lloyds, Maryland, near Cambridge, according to the carpenter's certificate. CBMM 1998.
 

Gluing the forms down.
 

The forms in place withe thee keelson laid. I used my router table to cut the taper for the crossplanks. I did the starboard side first and it worked fairly well. The Port side did not go as well. I may have to use some putty.
 

The Bow Stem tapered.
 

The Rudder Housing/Sleeve
 

Centerboard Slot
 

The rudder housing glued to the keelson.
 

Transom glued to the keelson.
 
Well that is all for now. I hope to have more soon.
 
Later,
Kevin