Sloop Providence 1776 by Senior ole salt - 1:48 scale

[Senior ole salt]

OK, I guess no one really knows just how this little raider appeared during  the American revolution, but I assume some research was done before the building of a reproduction  An architect by the name of Charles W. Wittholz  designed the reproduction for the  Seaport 76 foundation Newport RI.. This little vessel was the first command of John Paul Jones under the American flag and should have more recognition by kit designers and or modelers.

 

I was fortunate to get a beat up plans from a former Skipper of the reproduction and will attempt to dope out just what the weathered plans are telling me. Any suggestions, hints comments etc are welcome.

 

Here is one plan:

 

The plans, ( shown in the image) are photo copied to the scale 1/4+ 1' and consist of the body and line plans ( some lines missing due to time, water and who knows what.) A deck fittings plan , Mast and spars plan but no rigging and a much faded bow and jib sprit plan. The vessel represented on these plans is the FG reproduction of the actual tall ship now awaiting her fate, and, as far as I know still damaged and not repaired at a yard in RI..

 

My idea is to construct the model using the lift method for the hull to the deck level and build up the poop deck with side bulwarks and deck. By coincidence each lift on the plan measures exactly ½" very convenient for me as I managed to get some poplar dressed to this thickness.

 

I plan to cut out a portion of the main deck lift to allow some visual glimpse into the lower deck level. This hollow portion will also allow a the insertion for a temporary tendon affording me to insert the tendon into a vise while carving the inverted hull. When this is done I can beam over the hollow portion and cover it with decking..... Dowels will hold the various lifts in register during the glueing process. One may even be the mast but the rake could present problems. Anyway the hole for the mast can be drilled into each lift even before the assembly is glued.  Well that's the plan thus far. Mind visualizing, this works so lets see what problems it might present in reality.

 

Thanks for any interest.

 

S.O.S.

[Stevinne]

I look forward to your build. An interesting subject. Good luck.

[Chuck Seiler]

SOS,

 

    You have stumbled upon a subject close to my heart.  I am currently building the self-same PROVIDENCE from the same plans.  I hope you will allow me to post my stuff...I have not started my build log yet.  If you object, I will delete. 

 

    I am using the same plans as you have, except I got them from the book "Valor Fore and Aft".  I attempted to get permission to reproduce the plans, but there seems to be nobody left around to approve same.  I scanned the plans in the book and took them to get blown up to the proper scale.  I am building in 3/16" scale.  The resulting plans are not that great.  Some portions of the lines are missing or too light.  Some lines are thicker than I would like.  No worries.

 

 

    The sheer plan was used to make the center false keel/center support, while the body plan stations were used to make the bulkheads. 

 

 

 

    I have previously tried to make these using modeling plywood, but it turned out to be a disaster.  I ended up using basswood and cherry to laminate together a two ply bulkhead that is turning out to be quite strong.

 

 

    Here are the bulkheads being placed.

 

    The hull frames out.  Planking started.

 

 

    ...and the transom.

 

 

     I am using this painting as inspiration.

 

 

    Once I get the hull completed, and the deck arrangements made, I will use the plans from Model Expo ARMED VIRGINIA SLOOP to fit out and set up masts and rigging.

[Blue Pilot]

I have a passion for American Privateers and the ships and men of tne Colonial Navy. This ships former Captain, Abraham Whipple has been largly forgotten in th mist of time but he was truly a hero of the revolution! This ship will be great build to watch.

Edited June 19, 2015 by Blue Pilot

[Senior ole salt]

Nice to see that there  are others interested in early American Men O War.

 

Chuck that sure is a coincidence we are building the same vessel. I’ll see

 if the local printer can further reduce the sail and spar plan to 3/16” = 1’ 

I’ll send it out to you.  

 

Thanks for your posting of your work so far as I’m 

 still cutting out lifts and your images inspire me to keep cutting away.

 

 

I’ll post some images soon. I used the original station numbers to keep 

confusion at bay but even with the larger scale of my plans some questions

 still arise. Perhaps we can confer where the ???? comes up too often.

Fortunately I can ask the former Skipper as well.

 

Keep building

 

S.O.S

 

PS  For a little inspiration.. I'll post some images of the reproduction sailing as soon as I can figure out out how to reduce them.

Edited June 20, 2015 by Senior ole salt

[Chuck Seiler]

I couldn't read the station numbers, so I just numbered them 1 thru 16.  I was a bit dismayed when I only found 15 stations on the body plan.    ...until I realized that #9 and #10 were (virtually) identical.

[Senior ole salt]

 

Just a bit of inspiration.

 

S.O.S.

[Chuck Seiler]

SOS,

    A 1 page sail plan was in the book.

[Omega1234]

Providence Sloop sailing image 1.jpg

 

Just a bit of inspiration.

 

S.O.S.

 

Thanks for posting the photo....you can't get any better inspiration than that!

[Senior ole salt]

Making slow progress on my Sloop Providence as the lines are hard to see and some guess work is involved. However here are some images showing some headway.

 

shows the lifts cut out for the vessel from the deck to the lowest lift There are 5 in all.( from the deck down ) I used tracing to copy the lines from the plan. The top lift 4a will have to be re cut for the main deck sheer. At this time none of the lifts been glued together.  My idea of keeping the whole thing in register is working as the finish nails shown are inserted into pre drilled 1/8" holes.

 

Add to Post  Add to Post

 

( At  this point the counter curve was not cut yet. and the center nail is the pilot for the mast.)

 

 I'm thinking not to glue anything yet and to attach a "Vise block " which will be screwed into each lift . This will allow some pre cutting when the Vise block is clamped into a vise allowing each lift to be worked being carefully not to cut into the outlined lines on both side of each lift.  

 

The top lift will have the this "Vise block" screwed to the under side of the lift so that the sheer can be cut to shape.  I made a template for this taken from the plan. as well as a template for each lift as well.

 

I'm also thinking of glueijng one lift at a time with the "vise block" and work the concave hollows with a gouge but not all the way. This will be done when the whole thing is glued together using  80 grit sand paper working up to 220 in stages, all wrapped in  a suitable curved pre curved wood blank.

 

S.O.S.

[Senior ole salt]

There are some things on the plan that are unclear to me . For instance the "AP" as indicated by the red arrow,as shown on the attachment . I  cannot find it's designation on the profile plan shown to the right.

 

Any guesses as to it's meaning ?

 

Right now I'm only building up to the top of WL 4 A and intend to build the fwd. bulwarks and poop deck separately. Keel,  cut water and stern post to be added later as well.

 

Thanks SOS

 

[Chuck Seiler]

I believe it is "AFT PERPENDICULAR".  I you look on the other side of the body plan,the forward most frame is marked FP.  I believe that to be "FORWARD PERPENDICULAR".

 

I like your idea of building the lower portion of the hull bread and butter while building the upper part in such a manner as to allow for hatches and ladders.  I did something similar on my SULTANA.

[Senior ole salt]

Making slow progress on my Providence as sailing my sprit rigged sharpie has more attention. However  here are some images:

 

 The cut out for the vise block . This cut out has two purposes a. the vise block( to make the carving the hull easier) and b.a kind of "look " to a limited section below the hatches which will be open or at least showing the grate and ladders to the lower deck.  Planking will cover most of this cut out which will have short deck beams to support the deck planking.

 

(Vise block screw holes not showing but this method of attachment makes the vise block easily removable when needed.)

 

The deck sheer has been cut out along with the camber of the main deck.

 

Three lifts glued and clamped up all kept in perfect alignment with the nails as shown.

 

S.O.S.

 

[Omega1234]

Hi SOS

 

You say "slow progress". But, I say "any progress is good progress!" She's looking fine and I can see that she's starting to take shape now.

 

Nice job!

 

Cheers

 

Patrick

[Senior ole salt]

Still making progress with my lift method of the Sloop Providence.

 

My idea of shaping the hull using a vise block worked out OK. It's removable and capable of adding to as needed when sanding the bottom. So far only 60 grit paper has been used. I intend to use successive finer grits before applying a sealer.

 

Shown in the image is three cans of what I have laying around. I'm kind of favoring the Helmsman varnish diluted but maybe the shellac would be better. 

 

I got a lot more to do and am starting to order from a  supplier made items like the decking. On the way is scribbed decking but it has no simulated caulking.

 

Shown in one image is a template for the stern transom. ( pardon the cereal  cardboard )

 

A couple of questions if I may:

 

1.. Will a coat of sealer and then a wash simulate a caulking, or seal out the wash ?

2    Should I apply the sealer to the hull before glueing in sheer mouldings channels etc. and the items like rail frames ?

3. Should I thin out the shellac before using it to seal the wood

 

Thanks for any replies and interest.

 

PS

 

BTW the varnish shown in the background is a marine grade. I use it on one pirogue I paddle around.

 

 

 

S.O.S.

 

 

[Omega1234]

Hi SOS

 

Great job on the hull! Nice and shapely.

 

I'm not sure about the caulking, but, someone is bound to have the answer.

 

Cheers

 

Patrick

Edited July 23, 2015 by Omega1234

[wyz]

SOS    I always have a place in my heart for those that do a model using the horizonal bread and butter method.  Despite the fact it's so labor intensive and makes such a mess it has been my favoite way to build a hull.   I'm glad I peeked into your build log and will surely follow your progress.  Best wishes!

 

Tom

[Chuck Seiler]

SOS,

 

    Looking good!  Looking familiar.

 

    I say take the scribed deck and use it as a fly swatter.  Get some good holly from Crown Timberyard (or vender of your choice) and individually plank the deck.  I use the pencil caulking method myself.

 

    I have used MINWAX Sanding Sealer to do what you are planning.  I can speak to that, but not with the items you are using.  Using the MINWAX SS I was able to glue to the sealed wood, but I always like to peg the item in using a small bamboo treenail, for strength.  I like bamboo because I can get it down to 1MM and still have strength.  Other wood I have used falls apart by then.

 

CHuck

 

PS.  I plan to launch my PROV build log this weekend.  ...then there will be 2.

Edited July 24, 2015 by Chuck Seiler

[Senior ole salt]

Tom , Yes this style of ship modeling is labor intensive but supplies much kindling for next winters fireplace, However most of that sort of labor is over for now , at least with this model. Hope you poke in often.

 

Chuck I haven't gotten my "fly swatter" decking yet but probably will try to work with it. . I will take your suggestion about the Minwax sealer, thanks.

 

It will be neet to watch your progress on the other "Providence" thread. You seem to be ahead but this isn't a race.

 

Right now I'm working on the transom which will be carved with a built in curve. I considered bending in a thin slab with the grain up and down but thought it might change with high humidity

 

SOS

[Chuck Seiler]

I'm only ahead because I started 6 months before you did.  Your progress is impressive.

[Senior ole salt]

 

Still making progress. The transom has been carved to the curve shown on the plan ( or there abouts) I carved it using a cardboard template as a guide. (see image.)

 

Notice in the image I first cut out for the window, before any shaping was done. The transom is carved from a scrap and provided a "handle". ( It could have been longer) This for me makes the process easier. I used gouges , rasps chisels  and lots of  sanding. Trial fits were  frequent as well as working towards the desired thickness. The  template allows me to re-establish the transom outline after sanding or whitling. After getting reasonably close to the desired shape I pinned it on the stern to get an idea how it all looked.

 

Glueing it on the stern resulted some "rubber band clamping anchored by my "vise block", as well as a conventional clamp. 

 

After the glue sets up, I'll do some more shaping, filling and trimming as I deliberately made the whole thing a bit bigger.

Next comes the windows and inside "glass."

 

SOS

 

 

[dgbot]

Bread and butter may be labor intensive but it makes it easy to visualize the hull. Well done. You could also use beech for planking as well.

David B

[Chuck Seiler]

SOS,

 

    I finally started my PROVIDENCE build log.  It will take a few days to get settled in and get the juicy parts posted.

[Senior ole salt]

I've gotten to the stage I'd like to apply a coat of sanding sealer to the model. But I'll be darned if I want to pluck down 17 bucks for a 1qt can of commercial grade of "Sanding Sealer and use only an oz.. I hear tell one can make your own using talcum powder . I'd like to try that but use some of the cans show above. Can anyone here tell me the right proportions ?  And just how good is this home made solution ?

 

 Thanks.

 

Shown in the images s my lay out for cutting the gun ports. I established their location from the plans and the station marks on the model. I drilled through from the inside of the hull at the center of the proposed cut. I used a thin metal template with a hole drilled through then mounted on the hull in the exact location secured with the pin as shown. Now I can mark with an Xacto knife for the start of the cut. After the initial cut I'm thinking of plunging right into the center with a carbide burr then trim out to the xacto knofe of a small saw made from an old Xacto fine saw blade.

 

Thanks to those who peek in here.

 

SOS

[mtaylor]

SOS,

 

Try this before jumping with the carbide burr...  Chuck up a drill bit in the dremel and drill on the inside of the line as many holes as you can around the inside of the gunport.  Use a small saw and connect the holes.  Then file the opening to the lines.  As always, test on some scrap first.  This seems to work well for many of us.

[Senior ole salt]

 

 

Thanks,  M Taylor for the advise for a trail cutting.  Shown in the image is a cutting of a gun port on a scrap bulkhead. I did use the carbide burr chucked in a Dremel for the initial start then carefully moved to the prescribed cut as related before. I finished up with a 3 cornered file and emery board.

 

I decided not to cut the ports now but rather later as the hull needs much handling to glue the whale, channels, moldings bow to stern and rail caps. Along with the gun ports and freeing ports in the whole main deck I feel the bulwarks P&S will be rather weak.

 

SOS

[Chuck Seiler]

Freeing ports?

[Senior ole salt]

Another word for scuppers. Notes on the plan call for them to be 3" high X 36" long to be between frames on the main deck in the region of what could be call "the waist".

 

SOS

[Senior ole salt]

 

Add to Post

 

 

The Providence plan calls for a wale P&S showing 2' wide the full length of the hull. To determine it's shape I pinned on a "fairing batten' "1/16" X 1/16" " in the designated area. A tweek here and there was needed to get it to look "fair". As much as a 32 of an inch made a difference in achieving a "fair" look . Once satisfied I traced this curve on to the hull using a lead pencil. Now using tracing paper on the penciled  line I captured this S curve on a piece of tracing paper which was used to transfer once more on to artists WC paper. This is in the fore ground of the image. I made it ½" wide as shown and placed it on the hull to get the stern and bow cuts.

 

I figured if I cut this shape on a suitable piece of bass wood it would be near impossible (for me)to connect it to the hull using clamps, pins whatever. So , why not in several narrow strakes reasoning that in full size it would also impossible etc. So I borrowed stock intended for the deck which came prescribed to simulate the calking. This worked out OK for me and in the image are three of the 4 strakes to obtain the wale shape on the hull. I'm still figuring if I should apply a filler or just let the black paint do it's thing.

 

I still haven't applied any sanding sealer to the hull.

 

S.O.S

[Chuck Seiler]

My wale worked out to be 3 x 1/8" strakes with 6 x 3/32" strakes above it to the cap rail.