ancre La Créole 1827 by archjofo - Scale 1/48 - French corvette

[Keith Black]

 

[realworkingsailor]

53 minutes ago, Keith Black said:

 A Flanders bar was placed at the fore of the compass, not the aft. 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flinders_bar

 

Not necessarily, while that’s certainly the more common convention, the bar could also be placed aft.

 

See the table on document page 3:

 

https://msi.nga.mil/api/publications/download?key=16920950/SFH00000/HoMCA.pdf&type=view

If you look at the far right top block concerning the Flinders bar, the adjustment and effect are given for both a forward, or an aft mounted bar. 
 

Remember this is also still the period of experimentation in the adjustment of compasses. Kelvin hadn’t even been born at this time (he’s the one responsible for the invention of the spheres seen beside more modern ship’s compasses), so I highly doubt that the position of the correction magnets or bars had been settled at this time.

 

Andy

[shipman]

Ah, the Fandango dance to the fidelity of fine detail fanaticism.

 

Only joking; but I rarely recover from my aching sides when it happens again. And again....

[mtaylor]

Have a look at Keith's post #2041.  Looks to me like he found it.

[Bob Cleek]

15 hours ago, Keith Black said:

16 hours ago, archjofo said:

Isn't it too far down for a lamp?

 The compass had to be illuminated, if that's not the lamp then where is the lamp? Yes, if in fact that is the lamp then it's low but then the compass itself is low which I don't understand the reasoning behind as compasses/binnacles were normally close to eye level.  

A lamp in that  position isn't too low at all if the compass card is illuminated from below. It's exactly where it ought to be in that case. That permits the card to be closer to the glass at the upper end of a tube-shaped "bowl" which has a glass face on both the bottom and top of the bowl. With the card closer to the top of the bowl, it is easier read in the daytime. With the lamp illuminating the space in the base of the binnacle stand, the inside of which would be painted white, or the lamp even having a "bullseye" Fresnel lens and a right angled mirror in front of it, sufficient light could be transmitted up through the bottom "window" of the compass "bowl" to light the card from below in the night-time.  No?

Edited January 7, 2023 by Bob Cleek

[archjofo]

 

Hello Bob,

I have also considered this possibility and searched for examples on the Internet. After I have found no similar cases, I have discarded these thoughts.

There seems to be a lot to be argued for a flinders bar.

[Keith Black]

The compass was illuminated, if what the arrow is pointing to is not a lamp, then where is the lamp?  

Edited January 7, 2023 by Keith Black

[archjofo]

Hello Keith,

this question is quite justified, and of course I have already asked myself. So I looked for examples where a lamp is attached to the bottom of the case. Like Bob, I reasoned that this is how the light shines from below between the hanger and the compass card.
But like I said before, I couldn't find anything about it.
In the end I don't know.

 

 

Edited January 8, 2023 by archjofo

[archjofo]

Maybe the compass question can still be solved,

in the meantime things will continue with the yards:

 

Continued: Making the yards - main topsail yard - Vergue de grand hunier
For long enough I evaded the decision to execute the yardarms of the main topsail yard. Further research on this did not bring any new findings.
Now that the holidays are over and with renewed vigor in the new year, I have decided on the following embodiment of the yardarms of the topsail yards, as already signaled in one of the last posts:

So now we can continue with the production of the yards.
Sequel follows …

[Siggi52]

Hello Johann,

I found two compasses you are looking for in the NMM archives. The bad point is, they are from the 1930th!

https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/rmgc-object-7770

https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/rmgc-object-7771

[archjofo]

Hello Siggi,

Thanks for the pictures.
It looks as if this is a lamp that is placed below the wind rose.

Accordingly, Keith's ( @Keith Black ) reasoning would be absolutely correct.

 

 

Edited January 9, 2023 by archjofo

[archjofo]

Continuation: Making the yards - Topgallant yards - Vergue de perroquet
After the topsail yards, we continued with the making of the topgallant yards. 
Here is a quick look at my workplace with the most important utensils for making the yards:

 
The diameters of the topgallant yards, especially in the outer sections, range around 1.6 mm. In this respect, it is not surprising, if you work without a steady rest, that it can sometimes come to breakage. 

 
At the latest when working on the yardarms, it is advisable to support the filigree yards with a steady rest.

The next picture shows the finishing of the octagon in the center of the yard.

 
The last picture should give an impression of how filigree the topgallant yards are compared to the lower yards. It shows the yardarms of the main yard compared to the mizzen topgallant yard. The octagon of the yardarm of the mizzen topgallant yard still has a width of 1.3 mm at the outer end.

 
Of course, the royal yards can be made even thinner and more filigree. Especially the octagonal shaping at the yardarms requires special care.  
To be continued ...

 

Edited January 17, 2023 by archjofo

[Nunnehi (Don)]

Johann,  your work is a thing of beauty and a level of precision that’s truly an inspiration! Thanks for sharing. 
 

Don

[matiz]

Hi Johann, your model is super fantastic😊

[archjofo]

@Nunnehi (Don)

@matiz

Hello,

thank you for the interest and the good comments, and thank you also the others for the many LIKES.

 

 

Continuation: Making the topgallant yards - Vergue de cacatois
In the meantime, I have started making the topgallant yards. As already written in the last report, the topgallant yards are even thinner and more filigree, like the topsail yards.
The dimensions from the plan documents of J. Boudriot were again compared by me with the data of a contemporary original document. This table shows the dimensions of the masts and yards of the La Blonde, which is identical in construction to the La Créole. All dimensions corresponded to the drawings, as is clearly shown in the following drawing.

 
I have already noted that with these dimensions at ø 1.4 mm it is no longer feasible without a steady rest. A toothpick, for example, has a diameter of 1.8 mm. In this respect, particular care should be taken here and not too much pressure should be exerted on the roundwood.

The shaping of the square edge with the octagonal yardarm also requires sensitive processing, which can be seen in the next picture.

At the end of this work, a comparison of yardarms:

Main yard, mizzen toppsail yard and mizzen topgallant yard
 
Now two lower studding sail booms have to be made to hang on the fore channels. 
With the gaff (upper spar) and the driver boom (lower boom) already made some time ago, all the sail-carrying spars for the French corvette are then ready. They will then be equipped with the necessary fittings (sheaves, boom irons, etc.).
To be continued ...

 

Edited January 22, 2023 by archjofo

[shipman]

Johann, would you be kind enough to share a few clear photo's of your steady rest, please?

How is it attached to the lathe bed?

 

Your model is top feature on the forum, in my humble opinion.

[archjofo]

@shipman

This steady rest I have built with simple means.
With this I can position small ball bearings for round logs with diameters of 1 - 10 mm for support. The simple tool has already proven itself very well. 

[jdbondy]

The final finish on the spars is very impressive too. Was that achieved simply with sanding? How fine a grit sandpaper did you finish with?

[archjofo]

@jdbondy

Hello,

I sand the surface of the spars with 500 grit sandpaper and finish with a fine steel wool.

 

Completion: Yards and spars
With the production of the lower studding sail booms, which are attached to the fore-channels, I could finish the chapter yards/spars for my corvette.
So I had to show all the spars in their entirety, as you can see below:
 
This completes the woodwork on this model except for more blocks and a few odds and ends.
I am currently researching the studding sail boom iron, among other things. Also for this there is a multiplicity of variants, which are to be evaluated and classified chronologically correctly. The monograph of J. Boudriot leaves some questions open.
See you soon ...

 

[Gahm]

Outstanding work, Johann!

Thomas

[Mic_Nao]

Only one word: Bravo !

[archjofo]

Continued: ship's compass
Some time ago I was concerned with the question of what the part at the back of the binnacle of the La Créole is. There is much to be said for a soft iron corrector, the so-called flinders bar. Lighting would also be conceivable based on the shape. The discussion, including in the MSW, does not yield a clear result. After I got to see historical compass housings in the meantime, where the lighting was arranged below the compass rose, I personally tend to think that this could have been a lamp. Also because of the fact that this corvette was a wooden ship, i.e. had little iron to influence the compass, and on the other hand lighting seems to be quite useful and necessary. In the end I can't say for sure.
So I decided to just build this thing and leave it up to the viewer what he thinks it is.
On this occasion I revised the compass and remade the wooden case. The lamp ? or the soft iron corrector? was made from a round brass rod ø 1.5 mm analogous to the photos of the Paris model available to me.

 

Sequel follows …

Edited January 29, 2023 by archjofo

[AJohnson]

That compass and wheel look so good.  Your build log is an inspiration, thank you for sharing. 

[jfhealey]

Johann

I see you are up to 326,000 views. That does not surprise me. I suspect most of us look on with complete bewilderment  at your skill. Simply marvellous.

All the best 

Fred 

[hollowneck]

1 hour ago, jfhealey said:

Johann

I see you are up to 326,000 views. That does not surprise me. I suspect most of us look on with complete bewilderment  at your skill. Simply marvellous.

All the best 

Fred 

Whoa. I, for one, am amazed at @archjofo's skills. Beautifully crafted, wood or metal. Fire n' Ice!

[archjofo]

@AJohnson

@jfhealey

@hollowneck

 

Hello,

Thanks for the positive comments, also for the many LIKES.

That motivates even more.

 

 

Equipping the yards
In the meantime, I have started to fit the ends of the yards with sheaves, over which the sheets and reef tackles are then passed.
In the lower and topsail yards, the holes for sheave were made with the 0.8 mm and 0.6 mm milling cutter, with the exception of the mizzen topsail yard. Brass turned sheaves will be installed there later.
For the topgallant and royal yards with the mizzen topsail yard, the sheaves are only suggested due to the size. The following pictures show the individual processing steps.

 

1. drill holes with 0.5 mm

2. finishing with 0.5 mm wood hollow chisel

3. rounding out with 0.5 mm shank drill bit

The last picture shows the yard arms of the main topsail, fore topsail and mizzen topsail yard.

I think that the "fake" sheaves in the mizzen topsail yard are reasonably convincing. I have also used the same method on many blocks.
See you soon ...

 

[tlevine]

When I grow up, I hope to be only half as skilled as you are.  Your work is amazing.

[archjofo]

@tlevine

 

Hi Toni,

thank you for your interest in my construction report and the appreciation of my work.

Many thanks also to the others for the many LIKES.

 

Continued: Equipment of the yards
As announced in the last part of my construction report, I equip the larger yards with real discs. As before, I make these discs out of brass and blue them. As far as I know, these discs were usually made of lignum vitae. The rather dark brown coloring of this wood can be easily imitated with a blue finish.
For the main yard and the fore yard, the sheaves have a diameter of 2.9 mm. The main topsail yard, fore topsail yard and mizzen yard are fitted with sheaves with a diameter of 2.0 mm.
With the following series of pictures I would like to illustrate how I make the sheaves. Since my turning skills are limited and with these small diameters, I made the circular groove with a jeweller's saw. The fine saw blade I use for this has a thickness of 0.15 mm. I can control the width of the groove. The more inclined I lead the saw blade, the wider the groove. As a rule, the groove has a width of around 0.2 mm.

 
After cutting the sheaves, I grind them to the required thickness according to the size of the protrusion for the sheaves, i. H. about ø 0.6 mm or 0.8 mm. For grinding, I made myself an aid, the tip of which engages in the axle hole and thus enables the sheaves to be guided more or less evenly for grinding.

 

 
The axle bores of the sheaves were made with ø 0.8 mm larger than the axle diameter ø 0.4 mm itself. This makes the installation of the sheaves much easier and also compensates for small inaccuracies.

 
The next pictures should give an impression of the installation of the sheaves. As can be seen in the second picture, the axle holes are not exactly opposite. This is due to the fact that I have to drill the ø 0.4 mm holes for the axles from each side. If you try to drill these holes in one go from one side, it can easily happen that the hole on the other side does not arrive in the middle due to the thin drill and other inaccuracies. This is then much more disturbing than the axis points that are not exactly opposite, which is no longer noticeable after the shortening anyway.

After shortening the axles, the ends are filed clean with a micro file and blued. The filing creates a small burr, which usually makes it no longer necessary to glue the axles.
The last picture shows the finished yardarms of the fore yard, main topsail yard and mizzen yard.

 
It then continues with the stunsail boom irons. There are still a few open points to be clarified, as always... 😊
Sequel follows …

Edited February 9, 2023 by archjofo

[archjofo]

Continuation: Equipping the yards - studding sail boom irons
Since I am also interested in how studding sail booms work, that is, how to deploy and attach them, I tried to find more information in the relevant literature and on the Internet. In particular, the book "Seamanship in the Age of Sail" by John Harland describes, among other things, the handling of studding sail booms. This naturally results in various details on the spars themselves (of which later) and in this case on the studding sail boom irons.

 

Source: Seamanship in the Age of Sail, John Harland, p. 147

 

The preceding picture from this book explains very impressively that the studding sail booms, which were a handicap when sailing, were taken up and attached to the shrouds. To make this possible, the inside boom irons were hinged to open, which can also be seen in the contemporary drawings below. As can also be seen, these examples have different angles, depending on their chronological placement. This also corresponds with the observations of the photographs of contemporary ship models of the Musée national de la Marine.

 

Source: Internet_MSW_Archives_G. Delacroix_ca.1830

 

Source: Atlas_Brest_1850

 

Source: Atlas_Toulon_1854

 

As mentioned before, the Paris Museum has kindly provided me with a high-resolution overall image of La Créole, from which I can obtain additional information to Jean Boudriot's monograph. Especially in the case of the studding sail booms, it can be seen that they were clearly arranged in front of the yard, without angles as shown in the monograph. This also corresponds to the temporal context.
In this respect I orientate myself for my model on the drawing, which I received thankfully from G. Delacroix via MSW. Similarities between this drawing and the original Paris model, as shown below, are clearly recognizable. Also I see there the already described details on the historical drawings confirmed.

Now I will get to work on the realization for the model. I hope to find a way to produce these difficult details as far as possible. A special challenge is the mounting of the inside studding sail boom iron, because I have to choose a two-piece design for it due to the expansions at the yard arms, if possible with hinges like on the original. I have already made comparable hinges for this model as attachment for the front fishes. But this time it has to go one size smaller.

I decided to make the studding sail boom irons for the fore topsail yard first, because they have the smallest dimensions.
Bigger is always possible...

More about that soon ...

 

Edited February 12, 2023 by archjofo

[druxey]

!!!! That is miniature smithing at its best. The working knuckle hinge is beautiful.