Senior ole salt

I continue to be astounded by the quality of the works displayed here on this forum. it's a shame it's not recognized by the public and the "art " world. Auction housed continuously pedal art that don't come near what's shown here and for huge sums of money.
 
S.os

I sure like the way this is going together. The precision reminds me of surgeons preparing for an operation
 

 
S.os

Excellent presentation. You are also a good photographer. I enjoy seeing the progress you are making. Keep it coming and thanks.
 
S.os

That's one fine looking model. Congratulations.
 
S.os

Lou congratulations on starting your Providence build log
I put one US enlisted Marine aboard. He's preparing the swivel gun to fire off a salute. There are more pix of my build in the scratch completed section. If you look close there is one dog aboard . Part of the prize crew the Providence took on one cruise.
 Here is one image with the US Marine, in the green uniform of that period.
 
SOS

Bob, I do intend to go to the New England model boat show in April. I will bring the whaleboat model if I can only get the cat to catch the rat
 

 
 

 
S.os
 

I've making slow progress but the finish is near. I obtained the weathered mounting board ( cherry) a imitation sperm whales tooth.
 
The images shown below are missing the various line tubs, buckets and piggins that go with this model. The tubs have their lines faked down but I still have to "weather" the hoops. Also to soot up the sail some to kind of get some of the grimy whale blubber being processed aboard the whale ship.
 

 

 

 

 
S.os
 
 
   

OK it's finished a bit different than the plans. Now she is a yacht waiting to be launched as her skipper look on as the ships cat is on the hunt.

The instruction booklet was very good but the plans lack any detail of the hatches etc.  According to the plan the 2  fwd cargo hatches each have less then a foot clearance to load and unload turtle cargo. A crewman would have to go below and carry out the turtles. Unless this person is extremely thin I cannot see how this is accomplished.
So I just might install a one larger hatch system enabling a useable hatch for the persons of that period. In the image is a 5'3" tall crew.
I realize  the centerboard trunk/case divides this space but the case can be cut down some allowing more room to attend to the turtle cargo. After all the skipper/ owners would fit out his vessel to suit him self giving me liberty to do the same.
 
SOS
 

Got the topsail up and drawing. Still got some small details to do. Also I am working on making crew, at least the skipper.
 

 

 

 
S.os
 
 
 

Making progress on this little restoration. For the pix, I took the model off of the construction bar and placed it in the sea for a photo shoot. I still have to raise the topsail, do some more rigging work, sculpt and paint the sea around the model some, especially the wake.  
 

 

 

 
 
Presently  the cutter has no rudder, skipper or crew. perhaps that's why she has come so close to the rocks. I blasted away one that showed up in previous images.
 
S.os

Took the model out side to get a little sunshine. There is a lot more to do on the model but this is what I got done so far. Since the model is skipper less, it looks like the cutter got too close to the rocks. Perhaps when it  tacks things might look better.
 
Wax paper is attached to the model so she won't get stuck to forever sail like the Flying dutchman looking for Senta.
 

 

 

 
I still have to attach three more sails to do, all the supporting rigging plus some crew aboard. Much more work needs to be done on the sea which so far is just modeling plaster.
 
 
 
S.os
 
 

Well after a summer of sailing the real boat I got around to start the finishing of the model. For me the sails are a real problem which gives an appreciation of the art on full size boat sails.  So far I made three main sails and two jibs. The jib shown on the model will be the final one but the present main sail has to go. In the process I learned a few things and for me sewing in a hem to scale is too difficult . So I got the idea why bother to do that.  For the jib  I came up with the idea of outlining the sail in pencil on a suitable piece of material ( in this case the lightest piece of material I could get at Jo Ann fabrics. I dyed it first in coffee ( no cream and sugar ) that took away the all white look. I then stretched the material out on a soft drawing board secured the material with pins again drew in the out line of the sail using a soft pencil. I then took a suitable string close to scale for the sail bolt rope and pinned this to the outline.  Using Elmers and glueing 1 " at a time I cemented the string to the sails outline. I used a needle stuck into in a 1/8" dowel as  an applicator for the glue to the sail attachment. After all this was dry I simply cut the sail material close to the now bolt rope. This for me solves the  fraying problem and the resulting sail looks better than a sewed hem.
 
In the images shown now, the rigging is not belayed or secured so I can take off the main sail and bend on the yet to be made new one. So all lines including the jib look quite slack.
 
In the proposed finished display, the model has little wind and I'm trying make it look like it's all ready for the skipper and crew to board, weigh anchor ( placed in the display up short and off the stb. chock),  back the jib and sail of on the stb tack.
 
I'm hoping the minimal pedestal will give the effect of a boat afloat
 

Getting close to the finish line here . The dead eyes ( using black or tared lanyards) have been reeved and a few crew members have reported aboard. Will make a Marine ( will be loading a saluting cannon and wearing a green uniform ) as this vessel has the distinction of having the first amphibious  landing of the USMC. from this vessel.  I'm still puzzled about what flag to hoist The" Grand union", "Don't tread on me" or the 13 star  and 13 stripes flag. 
 
Any suggestions ?
 
My intention is that this vessel will have a theme  which is when finished.
 
SOS
 
Colonial Sloop Providence diorama display explanation
 
The sloop Providence is close hauled tacking into NW force 4 wind  as she looks for a safe anchorage in friendly  waters , hopefully close to an established town for re-provisioning On deck are 12 crew members. 
 
Starting at the bow stb. side is the ships Bo'sun. He is loosening the lashing on the anchors fluke. It will be eased off to hang from the cat head to be released at the word of the Captain..
 
Across from him on the port side a seaman is preparing to pull on the jib down haul..
 
At the mast another sailor approaching the jib halyard to let it go to lower the sail , both will eventually furl the sail just leaving the fore stay sail drawing which may be used in "backing " to help sail the sloop backwards as she lay's out her cable when anchoring.
 
On deck stb. side is the midshipman to supervise the anchoring evolution. He thinks he is important but the ships Bo'sun is far more experienced Above him on the ships rail is another sailor  pointing to obstructions that lie ahead. He just came from aloft where he furled the top sail
 
Opposite him secured to the shrouds is the leads man. He is taking soundings to determine the depth. He looks a little worried as the lead line showed 4' beneath the keel.
 
On the quarter deck port side a seaman belays the running back stay as the sloop just completed a tack.
 
Another sailor is preparing to "dip the colors" as a US Marine is preparing the saluting swivel gun on the stb. side
 
The first lieutenant  overlooks it all as the most experienced quartermaster  mans the tiller. 
 
The Captain is all the way aft and knows the ship is in good hands and is probably calculating his share of prize money after a successful cruise off shore sinking and capturing British merchant, war ships and raiding shore facilities.
 
 

Getting close to finishing this  scratch model. I need to rig the dead eye lanyards but need to know what color black or natural. The plans for the Virginia sloop call for black lanyards. But i see many models here rigged natural. Just how often were these lanyards taken up back in 1776. I think they would be lightly tarred there fore leaning darker than natural.  I did make a few crew for the model some in place but one in the "chains" or on the channell needs the deadeye rigged. So my question here is What color black, natural or lightly tarred ?
 
Thanks 
 
SOS
 

Scratch model of the sloop Providence  is coming along. Thanks to a member here that loaned me with the plans of the Virginia Armed sloop, . I'm using it as a rigging guide.
 
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In the image is a jig I made to rig up the top mast shrouds. A similar one was made for the main mast( see above post ). I found it easier to tie in the rat lines off the actual model.(fat thumbs get in the way )
 
Add to Post
 
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In the other images( with sails showing) the  main shrouds are in place on the mast. but the dead eyes lanyards not reeved. This allows me to place the entire shrouds P&S out of the way to access the various lines of the running rigging to be belayed to their pins near the mast and the bulwarks etc. Near the finish of the running rigging the deadeyes will be rigged. Having the sails hoisted up for me needed a different approach to rig the model as they get in the way otherwise.
 
Notice in the images the yards are not braced. When finished they will braced like the sloop is on a close reach and the display will have the vessel healed on the port tack.
 
The top sail is just in place. It will be lifted off to enable me to place the topmast shrouds on the top mast as well as the jib stay. 
 
BTW I did find some (to me) errors in the V.A. Sloop plans.Like the orientation of the dead eyes ( sheet 5 middle deadeye holes reversed) and on sheet 4 showing possible rig with sail. plan shows the bunt line on the back of the sail and the clew line in the front. To me it should be the other way around.
 
SOS

Thanks Michael . I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
 
On my scratch built model of the Sloop Providence I rigged up the shrouds and rat lines in a way new for me. Rather than doing this delicate job on the model, I decided to make a"rigging station."   That is a scrap wood duplicate of the beam and locations of the lower dead eyes P&S., the mast  located in the middle of the station by means of an appropriate hole in the wooden "rigging station." After seizing the upper dead eyes to the shrouds separately I then placed the shrouds on the model The Sheerpole was now seized on to the shrouds to hold it all together. Now by means of a tagged  bent shallow wire U , marked as to which one is which ( notice in the photo ) both upper and lower deadeyes held all to the hull, mast and shrouds.    At this point the whole thing ,mast, shrouds, and deadeyes can be removed from the model and transferred to the rigging station to enable the ratlines to be more easily tided in. I tagged each shallow U wire for reinsertation later on the model   . The deadeyes are held in position on the rigging station  by means  straight pins. I used the usual ratline spacing guide made from scrap paper etc.   For me this method of tieing in the rat lines off the model was worth the trouble of transferring the rig back and forth and making a"rigging station."   It also has the advantage of being able to take all off the model once again to more easily bend on the main sail via the mast hoops and do some of the running rigging aft of the mast without the encumbrance of the standing rigging in the way. When the running rigging is in place  I can  then rig up the lanyards of the upper and lower deadeyes.   PS the rigging station is shown minus the rig unfortunately I didn't take any images of it in use but i hope viewers get the idea.   Well time will tell if this works as planed.   SOS  
 
 
 

After a summer of sailing Carrianne,  
  
I figure it's time to continue work on the Sloop  Providence.
So I pinned on the sails to see how they might look. OK but not full of wind.
So I made forms to kind of mold the wind in. This worked pretty good. But attaching the sails to the model and coping with the rigging might prove a problem for me, i decided to do some of the standing rigging off the model like the P&S shrouds etc.then attach the main sail and top sail, deal with their running rigging and then do the head  sails Time will tell if this works.
I'll post pix as I go.
 
S.O.S

The sloop Providence will be soon ready to have mast stepped and the rigging started   But wait a minute I have no detailed rigging plan.   Guess work will not work . I'm at the stage where I have to order blocks single , double and some triple but how many and what size. Same with the cordage. what size and thickness etc.
 
So I'm thinking the Cutter Cheerful 1/48 scale is similar in size and era and should be near enough. Chuck's thick ness gauge is a help. But still doesn't solve my problem.
 Which is:
 
Just what sizes and # of single blocks
 
                               # of double blocks
 
                              # of triple blocks
 
I have the dead eyes for the main mast and enough for the top mast
 
Also just what thickness cordage for various members of the standing rigging, fore and back stays for main mast and top mast and associated yards 
 
and the running  rigging for all of the above.
 
I guess I'm aiming at the HMS Cutter Cheerful   builders here . Can they come to the aid of a Revolutionary Man-O.- War Sloop Providence ??
 
Thanks
 
S.O.S.
 

Ahoy all Modelers,
 

 
Coming along on the model. and got the swivel guns mounted on the poop deck. Also an officer was piped aboard this week to help supervise the further construction. I got a different scheme for mounting the gun port lids that might be unorthodox. If it works Ill post it here. Still to go some kind of binnacle , channels and deadeyes ( awaiting the blackening agent).
Notice the cable going to a holes in the fwd. grating and below to the cable locker.
 
Thanks for the help in various questions I posted in other threads.
 
S.O.S.
 
 

I thought it would be informative to post a little about the ship.
 
BTW the attached image is of the vessel ( unfinished of course ) with the captured shallop she captured stowed on deck.

Stowed below are 8 swivel guns shipped by Chuck waiting for their mount and installation on the poop deck( not a refuge for gulls with digestive problems)
 
S.O.S.
 
A little about the sloop Providence"
On 10 May, John Paul Jones assumed command of Providence with temporary rank of Captain. After a voyage to New York returning to the Continental Army about 100 soldiers whom Washington had lent to Hopkins to help man the American fleet, and after returning to Providence, Jones hove down the ship to clean her bottom and sailed 13 June escorting Fly to Fishers Island at the entrance to Long Island Sound. En route he saved a brigantine bringing munitions from Hispanola from the British frigate Cerberus.
Providence next escorted a convoy of colliers to Philadelphia arriving 1 August. There, a week later, Jones received his permanent commission as Captain. On the 21st, Providence departed the Delaware Capes to begin an independent cruise, and in a few days took the brigantine Britannia and sent the whaler into Philadelphia under a prize crew. On 1 September, daring seamanship enabled Jones to escape from the British frigate Solebay. Two days later Providence captured Sea Nymph, carrying sugar, rum, ginger, and oil, and sent the Bermudan brigantine to Philadelphia. On the 6th Providence caught the brigantine Favourite carrying sugar from Antigua to Liverpool, but HMS Galatea recaptured the prize before she could reach an American port.
Turning north, Jones headed for Nova Scotia, and on 20 September escaped another frigate before reaching Canso two days later. There he recruited men to fill the vacancies created by manning his prizes, burned a British fishing schooner, sank a second, and captured a third besides a shallop which he used as a tender. Moving to Ile Madame, Providence took several more prizes fishing there before riding out a severe storm. One more prize, the whaler Portland surrendered to Providence before she returned to Narragansett Bay 8 October.
While Providence was at home, Hopkins appointed Jones the Commander of Alfred, a larger ship and the Commander in Chief’s flagship on the expedition to the Bahamas. Shortly thereafter, Capt. Hoysted Hacker took command of Providence. The two ships got under way 11 November. After ten days they took the brigantine Active and the next day took the armed transport Mellish carrying winter uniforms and military supplies for the British Army. On the 16th they captured the snow Kitty. The next night, Providence, troubled by leaks which had developed during bad weather on the cruise, headed back for Rhode Island and arrived at Newport two days later.
The British seized Narragansett Bay in December 1776 and Providence, with other American vessels there, retired up the Providence River. In February 1777, under Lt. Jonathan Pitcher, Providence ran the British blockade; after putting into New Bedford, she cruised to Cape Breton where she captured a transport brig loaded with stores and carrying two officers and 25 men of the British Army besides her crew. Under command of Capt. J.P. Rathbun, Providence made two cruises on the coast and about mid-January 1778, sailed from Georgetown, N.C., again bound for New Providence in the Bahamas, this time alone. On 27 January she spiked the guns of the fort at Nassau, taking military stores including 1,600 pounds of powder, and released 30 American prisoners. She also made prize of a 16-gun British ship and recaptured five other vessels which had been brought in by the British. On 30 January the prizes were manned and sailed away. Providence, with her armed prize, put into New Bedford.
 On the left the replica Providence(Boston, 1980) During the early part of April 1779 Providence was ordered to make a short cruise in Massachusetts Bay and along the coast of Maine. She later sailed south of Cape Cod and on 7 May, captured the brig HMS Diligent, 12 guns, off Sandy Hook. She fired two broadsides and a volley of muskets during the engagement and Diligent, with mast rigging and hull cut to pieces, was forced to surrender. Providence then was assigned to Commodore Saltonstall’s squadron which departed Boston 19 July 1779 and entered Penobscot Bay 25 July. Providence was destroyed by her crew, along with other American vessels in the Penobscot River, 14 August 1779, to prevent her falling into the hands of the British towards the end of the failed Penobscot Expedition.

]Lower deck guns rigged and run out .. ready for the first broad side... well ...almost. Got all of the poop deck to do as well as its fittings  rails and swivel guns. etc. (  deck not glued down in the image") For now I'd like to know just what sort of binnacle was typical for a 18th century ship during the American revolution. The plans I have show a deck box and I assume engine controls probably a compass etc . Also where the ships bell might be.
 
My big question is a rigging plan. My plans show only standing rigging and main peak & throat  blocks  halyards etc.with no clue as to just where they might go. So my question is any one here knowledgeable where all the running rigging should go and belay to?  
 
 
 
Thanks
 
S.O..S

Well the Providence is moving along. For me the rigging of the cannons was challenging but  I had to install at least 4 of them before the poop deck work was to proceed as the beams and deck would make access to those 4 cannons difficult. ( for me at least) I first tried to rig up the tackles separately, attach them to the cannon and then move the cannon into place tackle and all. That didn't work.as there was a lot to manage all at the same time So I next  stropped the block with becket & line to the bulkhead  by drilling a small hole that matched the stropped block in the bulkhead and just glue in the block, strop and line. Same goes for the  single block on the gun carriage Then I glued the gun carriage in place, let the glue dry. With tweezers, two needle threaders I rigged up the tackles as depicted in the photo. The coils are separate and all glued down. I still have to install the  gun barrels and iron work to hold down the trunnions.
 
The in place deck beams are not complete as there are two extensions P&S from the existing beams. All other deck work shown are removable for now to give more space for installing the other 6 cannons and tackles..
 
I gave up the idea of furnishing the main cabin as peering into it would be hopeless  with the eventual  poop deck, case would permit. I'll let the imagination of the viewer supply what John.Paul Jones and officers had for comfort. maybe even a wench or two. After all guys are guys.  Thanks for viewing.
 
S.O.S

Made a crew member who's ready to repel boarders. Also installed the bulkhead that supports the poop deck and the rail cap all around. Used ordinary cellophane to glaze the stern windows. It has just the right amount of wrinkle to look 1776 ish
 
S.O.S.

Still moving along with the model  The scuppers P&S have been cut out and along with the gunports opening ,the whole structure seems strong for handling the hull. I decided a little paint was needed to cover mistakes ( I admit too so far.) I remove parts like the deck hatches bow sprit etc that are not glued down so they won't get in the way.
 
I used rubber bands and scrap wood cut offs to glue and clamp down both rail caps on the poop deck. (one side at a time) This worked out fine but i can use the gun ports to do the same for the main deck rail cap.  Yet to do is applying some sort of  glass to the stern windows.
 
Here's two views of the model so far. I use a lot of images on  Providence's facebook  blog to gain information concerning the boat that the washed out plans don't show..
 
https://www.facebook.com/Tall-Ship-Providence-118669581542537/timeline/
 
 
S.O.S.