AON

The finish is looking pretty darned good! Well done. The next project is a good looking tug. Let me know when you start the build log as I would like to follow along on your journey.

I have a feeling mine will be visible

Almost back to where I was before I tore out the orlop and gun deck. Gun deck beams cut, edges softened (sanded), tacked in place, marked for carlings. Centre alignment double checked with some square stock set in the three mast steps. This was eye balled from the transom to the bow. Looks acceptable. I also double checked the deck height with a 32 Pdr and my 4" thick deck planks will need to be slightly thicker... which is better than thinner I suppose. The height between decks looks good with 3D figures. I plan to have at least this fiddler (me) on the orlop with his seaman's chest. I also have my wales traced onto the black walnut ready to be cut out. I numbered the pieces so hopefully I don't get mixed up.

Thanks. The neat thing is the back is glass so I can take it down and look at the other side as well.

YES

I took the Admiralty workshop offered by David years ago and it turned out wonderfully! I have it framed and hanging in my workshop as a reminder of a weekend well spent.

Before starting on the gun deck (again) I decided to install the wales. Per the contract the wales are hook and butt and a photo of a model of the Bellona shows this quite clearly. I drew some 20 foot long hook and butt planks at 1:64 scale using DraftSight to make a straight plank template. I measure off the NMM plan and converted the measurements from 1:48 to 1:64 scale. These were transferred to my timbers. I then attached sheets of tracing paper to the model and transferred these marks to it along with some other details (gun port openings, hawse pipes holes, butt to stem post and end at the aft). This curvature was then transposed to transparent graph paper. The printed straight plank template was cut out and slipped below and my curved templates were traced onto the graph paper. I will be using black walnut for the wales. This stock will be cut and sanded to thickness and then two sheets rubber cemented together to allow me to cut both individual identical port and starboard planks at one time. I cannot use my black carbon paper to trace these shapes as it will be difficult to see the outline on black walnut so I’ve ordered a package of white carbon paper for the job! Safety note: Black walnut sawdust may be toxic to some, so proper precautions must be taken when cutting and sanding. Some individuals may experience respiratory irritation if exposed to large amounts of black walnut sawdust Like everything else on this build... this will be my first attempt, so wish me well.

I completed my rebuild of the orlop deck… or so I thought. The grating runs along both sides and at the bow. The lodging or (horizontal) deck beam knees are installed as are the standard (vertically upwards) knees. I decided to add the top end of the futtock riders… faux riders. To hide the missing detail I installed the flush orlop deck planking over the area. Planking either rested in a notch cut into the beams or on a separate support ledge. I decided on the latter as it was easier then cutting more notches. I was able to re-use the three stairs I had built, two at the bow and one at the stern. The one detail I need to remake is the very last aft grating on both sides. I had decided to keep the support ledgers fore and aft and the battens port/starboard… but for some unknown reason I skewed the last aft set. These will be torn out and made over.

I found the second or lower of your images on Pinterest posted by Niko Henrichs. No details or attributes for the scanned image. Without that information I would hesitate to make a decision. I await input from someone with the knowledge.

I found the first one in Seamanship in the Age of Sail pg 283 below are images from pgs 284 and 285

Could you provide the sources for each figure please. I've only seen the one on top, not the one below. I haven't any expert knowledge with this subject and so, am interested in the responses

As important, could someone explain how the anchor could be raised (man handled) in such a short distance between the hawse pipes and the forward grating when the capstan is way back aft? Seriously, I'd like to know. I don't understand.

Looking at the location of the capstan in image 1588a I tend to agree with you as to where the anchor cable ran utilizing a vyol (viol) and nippers. The cable would be coiled below in a heaping stack, one to the port side and one to starboard (or larboard) and it involved a major portion of the crew over a good portion of the day to accomplish the feat.

I simplified my description some... left out steps. I mark them insitu, remove them, score the pencil marks on the fore/aft face, chisel with the grain from port to starboard then pass the file to ensure flatness. My carlings and ledges are cut square to length then with my bench sander support tilted at an appropriate angle, I sand the ends to fit the notches. I had tried cutting them on the model as I believe David Antcherl and a number of others do and it was a disaster. I tried cutting them off the model, on the bench, and they split on me a number of times, so I gave up! How I do it has extra steps but it works for me. You do you!

I experienced the same cracking and splitting trying to notch for carlings. Ended up scoring and sanding a chamfer instead of a notch. I see people do it but they are obviously much more talented then me.