US Brig Niagara by Tom E - Model Shipways - 1:64 Scale

[Tom E]

Good afternoon,

I appreciate all the likes and look in's, thank you!

 

Taking a break from the Saturday afternoon chores, Red Sox are playing the Yankees on TV, will Aaron Judge hit #61?........

Back in the day, Pedro Martinez would have just drilled him in his backside....old school.  

Fresh cup of coffee in hand, Niagara could use an update.

 

On to the Fore and Main Course yards.

They look naked compared to the other yards without its blocks yet.

As I've done with all the yards, I start with a small pin in the back and a corresponding hole in the mast.

Helps with grip/stability...maybe.......in my head kinda stuff.....my goblins. 

All ropes and blocks are fitted after I've established that contact point. 

All essential blocks are stropped.

Think I've become a master in the art of CA glue. Not perfect by no means but serves its purpose. 

These do get a light brushing of black paint once attached to the yard to try and hide any glue shine. 

Don't get me wrong, not using gobs of the stuff. Just feels like I'm cheating, hide my shame. 

Easy enough, following the plans as towards placement. 

All blocks and rope are from Syren. 

Below are my attempts at making a cluster block. 

I wrestled with these. I really focused on keeping these lined up with each other. Keep them straight with each other and the yard itself. 

It took a "one step at a time" approach and took most of a weekend to make the eight sets needed. 

These get brush with black paint as well once attached. 

Looking ahead.

Once the course yards are done, I'm looking at stepping the masts.   Never thought I'd say that!!!!!! 

But before that, I want to look over the super structure one more time. 

There are a few things I want to get done before I start attaching ropes. 

Anchors, davits...the like.

We're getting there. 

Be good

 

Tom E 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bob Mahoney]

Very helpful. You’re doing such a great job!  My wife started building the Niagara in 2017 as therapy while  battling lung cancer. Cheryl got must of the hull done. Unfortunately she passed in 2018. I’ve been working on it since. You and different sites are a great reference. The directions and plans leave a lot to desire! Still have a lot to do but I’m determined to finish in her honor!❤️

[AON]

Good evening Bob,

Been staring at your posting for a bit now.

Don't know whether to pick like, sad or wow.

I am so sorry for your loss.  Four years must seem like yesterday.

I wish you every success in finishing Cheryl's Niagara.

Alan

[Tom E]

Bob, 

I'm humbled, and honored, that I can play a small part in your build. 

 

You are not wrong about the plans and directions!!!!

But.....If I can do it, you can do it!

 

Tom E 

 

[Tom E]

Evening, 

Hope all is well. Safe and happy holidays for all was my Christmas wish. 

Sitting down after work, the movie Gladiator is on and I'm eating crab Rangoon.

Time for a way overdue update!

I can't believe it been almost 4 months since I last updated.

The holidays are behind us, the dog days of winter are here. Should mean more quiet weekends in the shop. 

I was building though over the holidays.

 

The Royal, Topgallant and Topsail yards are all set in place. 

The course yards are next. 

The truss and sling are preplaced, as much as possible, on the yard and mast before setting into its final placement. 

Couple of dirty words later, some CA glue and it "fell" into place. 

It may look messy, but it sorts out nicely when attached to the mast. 

Both Main and Fore masts and yards are done. 

It may look a bit wonky, but the masts aren't stepped in yet and they wobble a bit. 

When I do attach them, I may use some simple white glue to give them a little grip.

But that's a few steps away. 

She's dripping with rope.

All rope is from Syren. I had some older Syren rope to use up and have now started to incorporate some of the newer Ultra rope. 

Beautiful stuff. 

Wish I could have used it from the beginning, but I had some older stock that I wanted to use first.

Waste not, want not. 

 

Be good, 

 

Tom E 

 

[abelson]

Just started following your build log, Your ship is looking finely detailed, and I see you've been at it for quite some time - slow and steady wins the race, as they say. My Syren build took me 2 years to complete. I'm definitely going to follow your log more closely as I move along on Niagara. Keep up the fine work. BTW, I noticed the Bruins cup on your work bench. They're having an unexpected, great season.

[Tom E]

Evening, 

Chores are done, dinner in the belly, football game on the tv.

Niagara needs an update!

 

Before I step the masts, I want to install the yard lifts and some Clew lines. 

Anything and almost everything before I step. 

Starting from the Royal yard and work my way down the mast. 

Absolutely out of control with loose ropes. 

But I can see the finish line as towards what lines I plan on installing. 

Both Fore and Main mast are being done at the same time.

Learn on one, then repeat.

I've started sorting out the Spanker Mast, boom, gaff and throat halliards. 

Identify blocks, placement then start stropping. 

Again, just try and pre-rig as much as possible or feasible. 

Be good, 

 

Tom E 

 

 

[bobandlucy]

Sweet!

[Tom E]

 

Evening, 

Somewhat chilly night in New Hampshire, a wet snow falling tonight. 

Home from work, warm house, takeout pizza in the belly, can't ask for much more! 

Niagara could use in update. 

 

Work continues on the Spanker boom. 

Just trying to pre rig as much as possible.

The good thing about rigging off model.

Technically, I can only work on one mast at a time. The other is safely away from sweatshirt sleeves and elbows.... learned the hard way!

A simple jig for keeping the Topping lifts as symmetrical as this rook can get.  

With the masts mostly done.

I focused some attention to the overall deck area on more time. 

Check connections, general dusting. catch all the wayward bits of rope and shavings. 

Overall, I feel like I've been able to keep everything as lined up as possible. 

There's some wayward bends and curves.  Always learning.

The Bow area is ready to accept all the forward stays off the Fore mast.

Starting to formulate a "rigging schedule". So far, I'm thinking, work from the inside out.

Start with the most internal ropes first once the masts are stepped in. 

Lifts, clew lines, Fide rail fodder. Then, work from front to back with standing rigging.  We'll see how I do! 

Well here she is in all her glory.

Minus a few left-over lift and clew lines, which I should have pics in the next update, the masts are ready to be installed. 

Just wanna go over the plans one, two, twenty more times before I firm things in. 

Stay warm,

 

Tom E 

 

 

[Tom E]

 

Morning, 

Another update is in order. 

 

Most lift lines, clew lines and fixed foot ropes for the yards were done off model. 

With these in, it pretty much represents what I plan on rigging as towards clew lines, lift lines and the like.

Standing rigging will be addressed once these lines are anchored on the fife rails. Work "inside out" aspect, I think!

Never thought I would get this far. 

I may build at a glacial pace but building none the less. 

All rope at this stage is from Syren.

I really need to figure out when to introduce the anchors.

I have a suspicion I should be installing these soon. 

Things like the ship's boats, Davits and rudder chains are things that will be weaved in as the rigging is set in. 

Usually, I "paint myself into a corner" type of situation pops up and I realize something needs to be fixed in before I continue with what I'm working on. 

Looking towards stepping in the masts next. Then weave all the ropes to the ship itself. 

I'm chewing on the idea of affixing the masts to the hull with a white glue.

I feel that added stability to a mast that can move and bend while rigging should help my amateur eyes. 

Hopefully....

Be good, 

 

Tom E 

 

 

[6ohiocav]

Tom,

 

I finally had a chance to catch up on your build log. Great Progress indeed. Your spaghetti masts bring back fond memories. Good luck on the rigging. 

[Tom E]

Hello MSW!!!

Sheesh, feel like I have to re-introduce myself. It's been so long!!!

Sometimes In our chosen hobby, we can lose the breeze in our sails once in a while.

 

It's usually something external that reignites the modelling itch. Received the latest Nautical Research Journal this week.

That woke it up!!!!

One of the promises to myself.... get this, and my Titanic build, up to date. 

 

Both masts have been stepped and glued in place.

I tried my best to get the rake just right.

Albeit not perfect, but not bad. 

I used a white glue. It gave me the most time to play with the angle and the like before it set in.

For some reason I don't have a pic of the glue dry, but it is barely visible.

Per the plans. 

The angle of the masts is roughly 11 degrees for the Main and 7 for the Fore.

I did the best I could. 

One the masts were set in and secure. I continued with setting the "internal" ropes. Those being ropes that terminate at the Fife rail. 

I imagine it would be a beast to get to these with shrouds already set in.

The Fore Topsail yard lifts were first. Secured with blocks and eyebolts already in the deck. 

Rinse and repeat, both sides are done.

I can then move forward with setting other ropes to the fife rail.

All rope is from Syren. I have both the old stock of Syren rope and some newer Ultra.

The Ultra rope is beautiful, but being a stubborn New Englander, waste not want not. The older stock will get weaved in. 

Once my "inner" rigging is done on the Fore mast. I want to move on to the Bowsprit.

Get that rigged in and work my way fore to stern setting ropes. 

Glad to be back!!!

 

Tom E 

 

[Tom E]

 

Evening, 

Hope everyone is well this Friday. Work week is over.

Take out pizza in the belly, tall glass filled with ice and orange soda near by.......simple treasures my friends. 

Niagara needs another update. 

 

I'm continuing with the "inner" rigging. 

I've rigged in the Fore Course truss falls and Fore Topsail sheets. 

These seem to be mostly static lines. Not fully attached. I can still adjust if needed. 

 

Inevitably, filling in the Fife rail meant cleaning up the Fore course yard sling and truss.  

Nothing special here. Just kinda did the best I could with my amateur eyes. 

the Fore stay and Preventer stay have been folded over the top and out of the way. 

The sling itself has been tied off. That's the big wayward length of rope below the top. 

The sling and the like are attached at the Fife rain as well. 

She's getting there. 

Never thought I'd get this far. 

Be good, 

 

Tom E 

 

 

[Retired guy]

Coming along brilliantly Tom, looks like it was easier to do the rigging of the yards before installing masts 👍

 

Regards

Richard 

[Tom E]

 

Afternoon, 

Hope everyone is well. Going to be stuck at home for the 4th of July. 

A Doctor I work with made a trip to Italy last week, came home with the "sniffles" per him. 

The "sniffles" turned out to be covid. As of today, the office is now down 2 doctors and 1 tech (Me!).  

Irony is, I just started to relax using a mask at work this week. I was hesitant and other people did there thing, but I just kept wearing them.

Sheesh!

 

Any who, 

Niagara needs an update. 

 

With my "inside out" mentality approach to the rigging. I decided to get the Bowsprit rigged in.

After this I'll work backwards and do the stays off the Main mast. 

Starting with the Fore and Preventer stay.

Nothin fancy.

Rinse and repeat. 

I've been keeping an eye on how all the other rigging reacts when I apply pressure to the rope I'm working on.

Trying to maintain a proper balance to everything. 

Topmast and Inner jib stay are being worked in as well. 

The alligator clips are holding the Topmast stay as it goes thru the starboard side bee on the Bowsprit, per the plans. 

I'm trying to control myself in tightening things up too much. 

I imagine when I set in the stays off the main mast it should, in principle, tighten up the stays off the fore mast. 

My goblins!!

Here she stands in all her glory. 

 

Wash your hands!

 

Tom E 

 

 

[CiscoH]

Looking great Tom.  i’ve only built the 18th century whaleboat so far which had basic rigging (and only one mast) so i dont have extensive rigging experience.  but on that model i did all my lashings without glue so the stay lengths could be adjusted as i went.  friction was plenty to hold tension and i didnt end up with a wonky mast pulled out of true so it worked well for me.  the supplied rigging rope was polyester (i think) and so far seems immune to humidity changes.

my parents came back from Iceland 2 weeks ago with your viral friend.  the current strain seems to be much less virulent and they did fine.  hope you do as well

 

cisco

[Tigersteve]

Looks great!

Steve

[Tom E]

Evening, 

Been a while. Has been one heck of a summer, but not in a good way.

Back in July I caught covid. This will be my third bout of covid. I work in medicine and am probably exposed more than the normal civilian. 

It is what it is, I accept it, doesn't bother me. I wouldn't do what I do if I was scared of bugs!!!!

Plus, I'm fully vaxed for covid plus all the old guy boosters. 

But this last episode really sent me for a loop. Kinda shook me to the core a bit. Not in the hospital bad, but sure close!!!

But it's time to move past this.

Modeling keeps me centered, but admittedly, not much has been done.

 

Anywho....

 

Back to Niagara.

Rigging of the foremast stays thru the Bowsprit continues. 

Slow and steady.

Working my way from bottom of the Foremast to top. 

It's amazing how this ship is starting to look.

Never thought I would get this far!

All rope at this stage is from Syren. 

It's the jungle gym of rigging that goes from the foremast thru to the Bowsprit seems where one can lose control.

Constantly checking which line goes thru which hole to which bullseye and lanyard. 

Constantly....

The Royal and Flying Jib stays are the most delicate. 

These cap off over the Bowsprit and end with a loop after the dolphin striker.

Be good, 

 

Tom E 

 

[abelson]

Looking good Tom. I recovered from Covid two weeks ago. It really zaps your energy.

[Tom E]

Evening, 

Hope everyone is well. Absolutely beautiful early fall evening in New Hampshire. 

Warm cup of something, radio buzzing in the background, ship building happening. 

Update needed. 

 

Continuing with the forward stays leading from the Fore mast thru the Bowsprit to the hull.

Minus braces and footropes, this will mostly wrap up what I have planned for the Bowsprit. By no means done, just it will return at a later stage. 

The Flying jib stay, and Royal stay are the most fragile. 

Once you get them mounted, they do steady up nicely. 

Not the best pic of the bow, but my lines look "appropriate" for the shape of the ship itself. 

No ropes are too close to the others and looks "square" with the hull mountings.  

The eyelets are out of scale. I know i know    Still learning!!!! 

With the Bowsprit essentially in place.

I going to follow down the center line of the ship as towards what to rig next. 

Main and Its preventer stay are next. 

Rigging forces in the bowsprit are already pulling the fore mast gently forward. 

Rigging the main and Its preventer stay are a bit of a balancing act as it's now going to start pulling back on said bowsprit rigging. 

A gentle touch here attaching in anticipation of more forces pulling when lower shrouds and the like are installed as well. 

Anticipatory forces, if that's a term.  

A small cleat will eventually be attached to the fore mast gently tightening the preventer stay.  

I'll form one out of scrap wood. 

As many bullseyes as possible were pre-installed. 

Using a "third set of hands", the stays were tensioned off to an appropriate length with the bullseyes. 

Nothing too fancy. Bullseyes wrapped and stropped at two points and trimmed.

Be good, 

 

Tom E 

 

 

 

[Tom E]

Morning, 

Hope everyone is well. Beautiful cool fall morning. It's just begging for a good old-fashioned hearty breakfast. 

The breakfast that sends you back to bed for a nap. Coffee and tea. Egg, potato and green pepper omelet's, bacon, sausage.

You can't do these types of breakfast too often.

I would get a stern finger shaking from my primary care doctor as my cholesterol shoots off the scale! 

 

Anywho, 

 

With the main and Its preventer stay in place, I will work upwards but still just rigging items that are on the centerline of the ship.

The topmast stay and Its spring stay are next. 

Only working on the center line rigging as it seems logical. 

The lower shrouds can still be moved out of the way. Easier to work with an open field of view than around in place rigging. 

While working on one set of stays on inherently starts to tinker with the next set. 

I've noticed a firmness forming in other ropes already in place. But a pleasant firmness.

Everything so far, including the bowsprit rigging, has a pleasant tension to it. Not too hard, not too lax.

It is a balancing act when tensioning off ropes. 

Constantly checking other ropes to see how they react while I apply pressure to whatever rope I'm working on. 

Feel like I'm missing something. Or is the usual for me, I'm over thinking it. 

Below is her all dressed up for company coming over. 

Show her off a bit!!

The spanker boom makes a rare appearance.

Below is a little show and tell.

The wrinkled old hand is mine. But, with a genuine Stanley Cup winning ring from 1970 with the Boston Bruins hockey team. 

A friend of mine, her grandfather, ran the old Boston Garden from the 1950's thru the 80's. Back then, he would have been considered the GM.

They knew all the old Bruins and Celtic players. Pictures of them with Bill Russell, Bobby Orr, Larry Bird, Reggie Lemelin. 

The ring is no bigger than my high school ring. The rings these days look silly, gawdy. 

Thats as close as I get to 15 minutes of fame, and I'm cool with that!!!!!

Go Bruins!!!!

 

Tom E

 

 

 

[bdgiantman2]

Gonna have to invite myself over to your place for breakfast after a teaser like that, even if the cholesterol levels are off the charts!!  😋 🤣  

 

Seriously, your Niagara rigging is looking great, you are really coming along on her. No progress at all for me with my model ship, in fact I'm going backwards. 

[abelson]

On 10/15/2023 at 9:07 AM, Tom E said:

Morning, 

Hope everyone is well. Beautiful cool fall morning. It's just begging for a good old-fashioned hearty breakfast. 

The breakfast that sends you back to bed for a nap. Coffee and tea. Egg, potato and green pepper omelet's, bacon, sausage.

You can't do these types of breakfast too often.

I would get a stern finger shaking from my primary care doctor as my cholesterol shoots off the scale! 

 

Anywho, 

 

With the main and Its preventer stay in place, I will work upwards but still just rigging items that are on the centerline of the ship.

The topmast stay and Its spring stay are next. 

Only working on the center line rigging as it seems logical. 

The lower shrouds can still be moved out of the way. Easier to work with an open field of view than around in place rigging. 

While working on one set of stays on inherently starts to tinker with the next set. 

I've noticed a firmness forming in other ropes already in place. But a pleasant firmness.

Everything so far, including the bowsprit rigging, has a pleasant tension to it. Not too hard, not too lax.

It is a balancing act when tensioning off ropes. 

Constantly checking other ropes to see how they react while I apply pressure to whatever rope I'm working on. 

Feel like I'm missing something. Or is the usual for me, I'm over thinking it. 

Below is her all dressed up for company coming over. 

Show her off a bit!!

The spanker boom makes a rare appearance.

Below is a little show and tell.

The wrinkled old hand is mine. But, with a genuine Stanley Cup winning ring from 1970 with the Boston Bruins hockey team. 

A friend of mine, her grandfather, ran the old Boston Garden from the 1950's thru the 80's. Back then, he would have been considered the GM.

They knew all the old Bruins and Celtic players. Pictures of them with Bill Russell, Bobby Orr, Larry Bird, Reggie Lemelin. 

The ring is no bigger than my high school ring. The rings these days look silly, gawdy. 

Thats as close as I get to 15 minutes of fame, and I'm cool with that!!!!!

Go Bruins!!!!

 

Tom E

 

 

 

A nice keepsake. Bruins are off to a good start. Your ship is really taking shape. Nice work.

[Tom E]

Evening, 

 

Thank you, Steven and BD!

Thanks, MSW for all the likes as well, I see you folks watching!!!

Hope everyone is well. Another Monday done.

Niagara continues. 

 

With the Bowsprit done, time to move on to the stays running from the main mast to the foremast.

As seen before the main and its preventer stay are attached. Moving upwards has the Topmast stay and Its preventer stay installed. 

Per the plans, these attach to bullseyes in the deck near the fife rail. 

The plans show to eyebolts near the fife rail for the fore main mast course yard, but no mention of eyebolts for the stays. 

Looking for an acceptable "fix", I attached them to either side on the outside of the fife rail. 

I probably missed somewhere in the plans that mention these, oh well, senior moment, I guess. 

While some areas are drying, I've started to attach the fore lift and sheet ropes. 

Most of these are static lines and once attached they should be done.

Not going overboard here. The one's I can attach are, holding off on others until later. 

I've got fuzzy ropes!

Alot of these ropes have been pre-installed on the mast for a while. 

Feels good to actually attach some and see how it looks. 

The below photo may look like there's some twist but that's the angle. 

Rope coils will be added later. 

The topgallant and royal stays will be next. 

We're getting there.

 

Be good, 

 

Tom E 

 

[schooner]

Hi Tom,

 

I just came across your log and have spent a lot of time looking at the rigging. I'm getting ready to start masting and rigging my ALFRED from BlueJacket and your techniques and rigging sequence have caused me to rethink my plans. Your explanations are lucid and your photos are sharp. Thanks for taking the time to post.

 

Quick question: You have referred to "Ultra rope" as great stuff. Could you point me to the manufacturer or website - I have had no luck on my searches.

 

Thanks and keep up the good work.

[Tom E]

Hi Tim, 

 

Appreciate the kind words, thank you. 

 

The Ultra rope is from Syren Ship Models.

They are one of the sponsors listed on the side of the MSW main page.

One of the moderators, Chuck Passaro is the owner. He makes aftermarket rope, blocks and other goodies. 

My entire model has his rope and blocks. 

In my opinion, a fine upgrade from some of the kit supplied stuff. 

 

Tom E 

 

 

[schooner]

Thanks!

[Tom E]

Evening, 

Hope everyone is well. 

 

Niagara continues. 

With little projects getting done off ship. I decided to start rigging the lower shrouds. It's time. 

No ratting just yet though as these go in. I want to see where the halyards and lift lines end up beforehand. Just to see what it will look like. 

I think we all have our own way of setting deadeyes. 

Set first with my little wire gauge. I call it my "bug". 

Pinch with a third set of hands and tension said shroud. 

These are kit supplied deadeyes. 

Tie off with two knots. 

Set in the lanyards.

These are tied off above the deadeye.

Learning moments abound!!!!

Rinse and repeat.

Constantly checking tension thru out the entire model as one shroud is set in. 

Every little pull of any line will have a reaction somewhere else in the rigging.  Thats the battle!!! 

As the shrouds get set in, a lot of loose/extra lengths of rope is being eliminated.

The model is large enough where there is a fair amount of open space to operate as I fill in other rigging.  

I don't know how many times I've whacked a yard or something else backing out of the model as I set something.

It's a miracle this ship is still standing!

Be good, 

 

Tom E 

 

[Tom E]

Happy Holidays!!!

 

Hope everyone is well.

Stuck at work right now. I have no doctors working today, my OSHA training is done, and I really want to be in the shipyard right now. 

I have to stay until at least noon because I have to monitor the triage line. 

One good thing, the coffee is free at work.  

 

Anyone have a good excuse to get me outta here?!?!?!?!?

 

Tom E 

 

[Tom E]

Evening, 

Cold snowy New Hampshire night. A good 5-6 inches has fallen since lunchtime. 

Needless to say, the ride home was slow and long. 

 

But, home safe, chicken parm is in the oven.

Niagara needs a small update. 

 

For some reason I re-visited the Cutter and yawl. 

I need to start cracking on these things. 

I originally built the cutters when I started this kit, well now it's time to incorporate them. 

These will make an appearance later on. 

With the foremast main shrouds installed. 

I wanted to get the sheer poles going.

My alignment on the deadeyes in the shrouds has some wobble, but not too bad. 

I would say I've done worse or better but can't. This is the first time I've gotten this far with a ship. 

Working my way up the shrouds. 

Both sides will be done. 

Learn on one side, then repeat.

Below is the current state of affairs. 

Stay warm,

 

Tom E