USS Constitution by Modeler12 - FINISHED - Model Shipways

[aliluke]

Hi Jay and Hi JIM

Good to see you here Jim (sorry Jay, not trying to hijack your log...)...this is the right place to be!

 

Cheers

Alistair

[Modeler12]

Hi Jim, I just sent you a little note not realizing you found my build log here (and Alistair: no problem hijacking OK?).

As I mentioned, this is a great forum and in my opinion a lot better than Mr. Hunt's. It has a great membership from all over the world. Even New Zeeland  I have learned a lot from all these pros. 

[Modeler12]

My build has slowed down but I have made a little progress with the rigging.

As before, I continue to work the lines from top on down and stern forwards. I have added the bare spars on top, rigged the halyards and even added the braces. 

Someone ones told me to hold off with the braces for last, but I am finding that to add them where they don't interfere with other things, makes it a lot easier to belay them around the masts. The back stays and halyards go to the channel or pinrails along the outside, but as long as I am finished with other details (such as the rigging of the spanker) I went ahead and attached them.

  

My wife and I are going to Europe for about three weeks so there will be further slow downs. We will be on a river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest, but I am planning to go to Lelystad in Holland to visit the replica of the Batavia, a Dutch ship that ran aground west of Australia on it maiden voyage to Indonesia. The history alone is fascinating. 

Edited May 21, 2013 by Modeler12

[Geoff Matson]

Jay

 

Rigging looks great as usual. Hope you and wife wife havea great trip and look forward to your progress when you return.

[Modeler12]

Thanks Geoff. We had planned to do this trip two years ago and then I tore my Achilles tendon and had to cancel. This time it should be a go.

[st george]

Have a great trip Jay, look forward to seeing some photos of the Batavia when you get back.

 

David

[lambsbk]

The rigging looks great Jay. Have a wonderful trip.

 

Dave

Edited May 21, 2013 by lambsbk

[Modeler12]

Have a great trip Jay, look forward to seeing some photos of the Batavia when you get back.

 

David

Will do David and Dave.

Do you, by chance, know the ill fated story of the Batavia? I read the book which, although fictional, was based on her voyage and the mutiny/cannibal acts that followed. Shortly after I read the book they found the wreckage and I understand that it is on display somewhere in Australia.

Edited May 22, 2013 by Modeler12

[lambsbk]

I do not. But I look forward to your telling it.

[st george]

Jay,

Funny, but I actually read the story yesterday. While I was looking at the Lenox, I came across reference to the Batavia and lookes up the story.

 

David

[Modeler12]

Dave, rather than me telling you the story, you might have a look at Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batavia_(ship)

[Modeler12]

The braces may seem easy and not important at first. But they are the lines that control the fore and aft  turning of the spars. The main topgallant spar has not yet received the braces in the picture below.

It was not until I started to add a couple of these that I realized that they require more blocks and tie- downs at deck level. More blocks and strops, you guys!

 

 

I encountered one problem with the royal braces for the foremast. According to the plans those lines would go to the pinrails along the sides.

However, when I tried to do that they interfered with the top. Besides the other braces were tied off at the base of the mast. So, I decided to do the same and find a place that would not be used for any lines that I have in mind.

[CaptainSteve]

The Batavia incident all happened approx 400km north of where I sit tonight.

Whilst I have never personally visited, I do believe the Batavia is now at the Fremantle Maritime Museum (Victoria Quay/Peter Hughes Dr, Fremantle WA, just in case you were in the neighbourhood)

Edited May 22, 2013 by CaptainSteve

[Modeler12]

Steve, thanks for the 'invite' but not this year. That whole story of the Batavia (including the execution of some of those who were found guilty afterwards) was horrific. 

 

I have time for a few more additions to Conny and then I have to start packing for our Sunday departure. Right now the weather is not to good in western Europe and if it is raining when we want to do the Lelystad excursion we may have to cancel that. We'll go to the new Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

[lambsbk]

Thanks. I'll check it out.

[lambsbk]

Jay:

 

I just read the reference you provided to the Batavia. It is a frighteningly ill-fated ship. In spite of it's history, the construct of the ship appears beautiful. Good luck.

Edited May 22, 2013 by lambsbk

[texxn5]

Very nice build.  It's good to see the progress with a wood version of this ship.

[Modeler12]

Very nice build.  It's good to see the progress with a wood version of this ship.

Thank you Tex.

Every time I add another line and a few more blocks things get interesting. And I haven't even added the sails yet

 

Yes all those blocks have a purpose but most are for the mizzen topsail with its clewlines, buntlines, etc. Four of them are for the braces that I am now putting on.

[Modeler12]

A word of caution about mounting the riding bits to the deck. These are the posts that hold up the fife rails around the masts.

As you can see I broke one off when belaying the brace lines. It was simply glued to the deck and a little tension broke it loose. With more lines to add, including the heavy ones for the main jacks, I may end up with the same problem later.

 

I would suggest making the posts longer and having square holes in the deck into which I would epoxy the posts. I am not going to redo all of that now, but will add a pin in the end of the post that broke loose and use that to remount the post. I will also use some more epoxy in the joint of the fife rail after I clean this up.

[lambsbk]

Jay: Is it possible to drill and pin the rail diagonally to the deck? I think this would give a little more verticle strength perhaps.

[Modeler12]

Jay: Is it possible to drill and pin the rail diagonally to the deck? I think this would give a little more verticle strength perhaps.

That might be tricky to line up.

I think with a pin as shown below (which is inserted into the post about 1/4 inch and bonded in place with epoxy) and a hole in the deck (pencil mark) with more epoxy when I am ready to bond the whole kittagaboodle in place, I should be ok.

It surely will be stronger than just edge gluing the post on deck.

[Modeler12]

Not too much will be happening for the next three weeks.

[mtaylor]

Jay,

Have a great trip.  Your Conny is looking fantastic.

[CaptainSteve]

Your Conny ... and us ... will be eagerly awaiting your return.

[keelhauled]

The Conny is looking great!  Hated to see the issue with the rail getting pulled from the deck.  I'm sure that the pin and epoxy will hold her down.

I love watching your progress.

 

Have a great trip!

Marc

[Modeler12]

Mark, Steve and Marc, thanks for the 'bon voyage' messages. Appreciated. We're actually leaving tomorrow, so I did have some time to work on Conny.

I added the spritsail yard and all the rigging that goes with that. More 'confusion' at the bow. But I think I got it straight any way (including another pair of braces, six more eyebolts, eight more bullseyes and 12 more blocks). This is sounding like a Christmas carrol. I guess I am ready for a vacation.

 

How any sailor could keep all those lines clear in his mind is beyond me. But when at sea for 'two years before the mast', I guess it gets ingrained.

[mtaylor]

Jay,

Leaving in the morning?  And the Admiral let you work on your Conny instead of re-packing everything?     

[Geoff Matson]

Jay

 

Sorry to hear your boat trip turned into a bus trip. Mother nature always seems to have plans of her own. WHile you were gone we also went on vacation. We went to the Beaches Resort in the Turks and Caicos. Great time. Only complaint ....We had to come home!

 

Edited June 19, 2013 by Geoff Matson

[Landlubber Mike]

Wow, very nice build - are you adding sails?  This ship probably looks amazing in full sails.

[KimatHm]

Hi Jay...... Just a suggestion here, if I may..!!?? An old trick that I've used for years that has always worked out very well, and has also stood the test of time, (in a lot of years, now...!!!)...When your going for the appearance of a 'weathered' and 'billowed' sail that would give the look of being at sea with moderate, to heavy winds...and especially if you're doing cloth sails, (regardless of the type of material you're using, such as muslin, or just regular 'sheet' cloth), I have in fact used the 'Fan' Method' (the 'fan' being an adjustable strength hair dryer ) after giving the sails a very slight spray of warm water, from an old spray bottle, that allows a 'mist' spray, and then (here's the 'trick' !!) from behind the sails, as if being 'the wind' itself, give s slight mist spray with a good brand ( I will suggest TRESemme') Hair Spray...!!! ( an all day humidity resistance type) for really good hold when it all dries, in a very short period of time...Hair spray alone, appx. 3 minutes total, and if possible using a 'soft blow' hair dryer, set to LOW HEAT...Hair Spray with WET sails, appx. 15 minutes, with a hair dryer, and up to 35-45 minutes without, allowing for additional 'molding' with fingers (be careful though, it's really sticky !!) or preferably with moderately swift strokes of a medium sized paint brush...but again, remember its really sticky !! The overall final appearance is really satisfying, and the 'trick' will always bring am 'Oh Really ??' look from those you pass it along to...Best of luck...try it on a couple of 'sample sails, for 'kicks and grins' 'til you're satisfied with your 'skills' at 'hairdressing' the sails...!!! Blessings, Kim...!!!

Edited July 5, 2013 by KimatHm