USS Constitution by Modeler12 - FINISHED - Model Shipways

[Modeler12]

Netting, some assembly required!

Here is my first try at making the netting and hammocks. Thanks again George.

 

Instead of using the stanchions and the masking tape method of Mr. Hunt, I completely changed the process.

I removed the stanchions from the top of the rail, took a piece of 1/8 x 1/4 wood and notched it to make it look a little like hammocks stored on end. Painted it and glued the netting on one side. After trimming, I added the rope (0.011 inch rigging line) along the top edge and some 1/32 inch wide tape I had for the bottom. The stanchions are simulated with pieces of 0.016 inch line and glued in place.

All of this is done on the bench. I have not done the back side, so the 'installed' piece is still loose.

I may also add some brown lines in the center of the hammocks to make it look more like they are separate bundles.

  

 

At any rate, this is a heck of a lot easier and neater than what I tried to do before.

PS Those close up photos do help. I just noticed that the stanchion to the far right needs a step to the right.

But all that means is to remove the 'stanchion' and replace it with another one in the right place.

Edited February 14, 2015 by Modeler12

[Guest Tim I.]

Looks great! When I finally get back to my Constitution build I may try a variation on your idea, if you do not mind.

 

- Tim

[Tuffarts]

this is a very good idea using wood to simulate the hammocks.

Just a thought, I have often seen the hammocks leaning instead of straight up and down 

[Jack12477]

Jay, where did you get the wooden spools shown in post #664 above? I've been looking for something similar and nobody seems to make them anymore.

[Tuffarts]

Jay, where did you get the wooden spools shown in post #664 above? I've been looking for something similar and nobody seems to make them anymore.

 

They would not be hard to make with a holesaw, plywood and some cheap dowel.

[Jack12477]

Thanks. Didn't think of the hole saw.

[JSGerson]

Found this for those spools:

 https://www.etsy.com/listing/212286136/10-large-wood-thread-spools-wooden?ref=market

[Modeler12]

Tim: no problem; sharing is the way to go on this forum. And just like Tuffarts showed and suggested, slanting the hammocks looks better. I will do the same for all the others (maybe even replace my first one, besides the paint color for the 'canvas' is not good either).

 

Jack the wooden spools were made from scratch using one inch dowel and some thin plywood. I had tried to get some sewing thread spools, but had no luck. JSGerson's link would help, but then I would still add the round plywood to keep the thicker lines on the spool. I have had problems getting them tangled up. I use small pieces of tape to hold the ends in place, because loose ends are also a problem.

I might add that winding the threads onto the spools was tedious at first, but then I used my hand-drill with a big smile on my face. Each of the spools you see holds about 40 to 100 feet of line, but I can add more if needed.

Edited February 14, 2015 by Modeler12

[robnbill]

Jay,

When I was going through the Maritime Museum in Lisbon a few months ago I got photos of many of their models with the hammocks slanted. Here is an example of what their model hammocks looked like. Unlike the Connie, most of their models had troughs along the top of the rail to put the hammocks in.

 

 

[Modeler12]

Interesting Bill.

I have never seen that arrangement before, but then again I don't know too much about the history of those old ships. 

In the case of the USS Constitution there were a lot of people aboard. I read somewhere that : by 1813 the crew had grown to 30 officers, 51 petty officers, 343 sailors, and 57 enlisted Marines. That means that 400 men had to use hammocks. Even when they shared that means at least 200 on the ship. Looking at the picture you showed I cannot see enough of those aboard.

The bundles surely are nicely wrapped and tied individually, but can that be the way it was? What about heavy seas and the ships dips, leans and tosses about?

 

As I look at my way of doing those hammocks, I am afraid I am making too many. So a compromise for that is in order. 

In fact, if I reduce the width from 1/8 inch to 3/16 inch, each crew member's hammock would come to around 4 cubic feet. That should be enough for those old days, right??? Did any of you ever carry a gunny sack?
That still means a lot of hammocks to make!!!

And before someone counts, here is the upshot. Total rail with hammocks about 24 inches times two equals 48 inches. Divide that by 3/16 for the hammock spacing and, we end up with 256 hammocks. OK?

Edited February 15, 2015 by Modeler12

[robnbill]

I used a hammock size of 6' x 4'. At the 1:93 scale that equated to 19mm x 13mm. Since I was putting them on end in the cranes, the main dimension I needed was the 13mm. The other dimension would just result in a skinnier or fatter roll. I took the cloth I was going to use and tested rolling them up until I was satisfied with the results. You could do the same as a test to see how large you need to make the demarcation marks. 

 

I too was a bit concerned that there needed to be enough hammocks to look correct. At the high point there were nearly 500 people on board. However, the officers would not have used the standard hammocks. It is possible the marines also might not have. However, I do not think anyone is going to stand next to the ship and count how many hammocks I rolled up.

[GLakie]

Yeah, as long as they're made close to scale, and the racks are full,  it's probably something only you as the builder would actually be aware of. And I think it adds considerably to the over-all looks of an already impressive vessel.

 

Cheers

[Modeler12]

Yeah, as long as they're made close to scale, and the racks are full,  it's probably something only you as the builder would actually be aware of. And I think it adds considerably to the over-all looks of an already impressive vessel.

 

Cheers

Thanks George, but it is fun to do some math to find that there are a large number of old folks who used those hammocks and really slept in them as the ship tossed and heaved all night. I have been there for pleasure, but not for a living.

Now I cannot image living in those close quarters with bodies bumping into each other in swinging hammocks, smelling like hell.

[GLakie]

That would indeed be an uncomfortable situation. It could be possible that the rest of the hammocks were left on the berthing deck and brought up top in a rotation every other day also.

[Modeler12]

This is just for my records.

The 1/4 x 1/8 inch basswood was marked (first into 1/8, then I switched to 3/16 inch divisions). I used my old wooden miter box, modified to take the width of a three sided file, and filed notches on the marks. On one side then the other and top. Too many!!!! I hate to count again.

 

 

After this was lightly sanded and painted, the netting and ropes were glued in place.

Towards the bow the rail curves inward and the netting block needed to be bent. I used my old (rusty) fixture to hold the tip part after soaking it in warm water for a while. I also tried this with the netting already attached, and, of course, found disasters. Filing and netting will be done after bending.

[HIPEXEC]

That would indeed be an uncomfortable situation. It could be possible that the rest of the hammocks were left on the berthing deck and brought up top in a rotation every other day also.

The hammocks were mainly used for defense and all hammocks stanchions were stuffed with them to absorb wood shrapnel and sniper bullets., etc.

[capnharv2]

Thank you Jay! That's a great way to build them. It also helps protect the netting and stanchions from damage.

 

Harvey

[Modeler12]

About 280 hammocks later . . .

 

It was tedious work, but worth it in the long run. In a way it also makes more sense to have the hammocks on the rail rather than down below. It would not look right to have the ship under way with sails raised and all the gun ports/lids open if this did not mean a battle or exercise

 

The next step is to add the davits and whale boats. Oh, yea, the boat in these pictures is awful and will be replaced sometime. I mentioned before that I screwed up with the inside and took a short-cut. And, yes, it still is pointing in the wrong direction

Edited February 17, 2015 by Modeler12

[GLakie]

That dolled her up Jay! Turned out good.

 

Cheers

[Modeler12]

A little secret.

Notice in the top right picture I had not really installed the netting/hammocks. That part is the 'curved rail' and it took a bit more doing to get the bend right.

In fact, I just noticed that the port studding beam is not tied down right either. And as I look at those pictures, I can see a lot more improvements to be made.

 

But Connie is getting ready to be on stage pretty soon. Actually she will be in a glass cache along with a whale of a boat (or two) and flags flying!!

 

How am I going to make that 'glass cache' for her?

[GLakie]

Not sure what you mean by "glass cache" Jay. You're not talking about a glass case are you?

[CaptainSteve]

Not sure what you mean by "glass cache" Jay. You're not talking about a glass case are you?

 

I think Jay is correct, George. A "case" is for keeping mundane things inside (ie: briefcase for paperwork, gun-case for guns, wine-case for wines). 

A "cache", on the other hand, is a store for treasures !!!

Edited February 17, 2015 by CaptainSteve

[Modeler12]

OK you guys. So my English is not perfect. What I could have said is 'cage' but that would have been worse.

 

That makes me think of all the errors and grammatical problems I have had with the 'King's English'.
This being a very international site, it might be an interesting topic to start about this on 'time out'. Any volunteers?
I have a lot to contribute.

I still think 'color' is much easier than 'colour'.  But it also could be 'collar' or do you pronounce them differently?

[popeye2sea]

Of course, here in Boston color is pronounced "cullah" while coller is pronounced "collah"

[Jack12477]

"color" and "collar" are pronounced differently - at least in the USA

[Modeler12]

Oh my, did I start something

Of course, Boston has its own language; and how do I know that 'color' and 'collar' are pronounced differently (phonetically they seem the same in my ears). Is this a bit like 'foot' and 'hoot'?

 

'Enough of this', my wife told me, as she 'pronounced 'color' and 'collar' (and indeed there is ever so slight a difference in the way she pronounced those two).

 

How about those guys in Sweden, Thailand, Canada (for that matter), China, etc.?

Edited February 18, 2015 by Modeler12

[GLakie]

Some people say pot-ah-to, some people say pot-ay-to. And for another twist, some will put a final "E" on the end, just to make people ask why.  

[Modeler12]

Ok, George, you got me. What is a 'pot-ah-to'.?? Or what ever.

 

It goes to show that folks even in the US are not in 'tune'. We talk differently and we think that Scotch, Irish, and (especially) the Welch understand each other. After all, they are on the same islands, or next door to the same one. But they have to refer  to the 'English written language' to get along. I know they learn that in school.

 

Like I mentioned; please start a new line on 'time out' or I will

Edited February 18, 2015 by Modeler12

[JSGerson]

Don't get me started on merry, Mary, marry!

 

I'm an old Bostonian now living in South Carolina so I stick out like a sore thumb here.

[cog]

I almost feel sorry for your (English/American) linguistic problems,almost. I'm happy we do not have such devastating problems. Keeping the water out and buidlng ships is good enough for me. You are doing great Jay!! Love those firm, and sturdy hammocks.