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June 2022 edit

Well it is time to sort this build out and make progress not noise.   The ultimate plan has shifted further into the Boothbay, Maine vessel category.   A few things to consider as I rationalize this change. I will do all that in the 18th posting below where I pick up the story. The short version is this build started as two sister whalers based on the kit Kate Cory.  It will now be two  Schooners bridging 1829 to 1902, both built in East Boothbay.  please jump to post 18 below. 

if there is importance to the location of this log it might be moved based on the now 1829 selected date for the schooner version to best match the hull design.

I will remove one of the hulls [ pavillion]  from this log and add a second old schooner model in need of repair and retasking. This will make one old style schooner of 1830 

February 2022. edit

This edit including the change in name and update is to celebrate a final decision on what to do with this started project.  Since working on general maritime history where whaling is clearly a big part, I  have refocused my limited ability to the shipbuilding in our own Boothbay region of Maine.  It is true that many Maine built vessels and seamen went to the whaling industry. In fairness I leave that to all the folks in that region.   In my ongoing studies that will be parallel to the restart of this build will be study of the 32 brigs in Boothbay.   This build will be planned to make the two brigs representative to two built here.  I will identify the two later and plan to have them in a sailing pose.  Parallel to that completion next winter, I will be planning a version of a brig on a scratch build.  We shall either expand this log to cover all three or start another.....thoughts for another day.   

 

 

started project through 16 posts was to be .  the new work will begin on planning over the summer as I complete another project, Dancing Feather.

 

 

original log

Two Whaling Brigs, Kate Cory and Pavilion

KC Built: 1856 in Westport Point, MA

 Pav built in Ct and converted to a whaler in 1841

Length on Deck: KC 75 feet and Pav79 feet [ close enough at this scale]  

Models are model Shipway kits at 1:64 

 

It has taken me a while to figure out what to do with two, yes, I have two, Kate Cory kits. During the last several years before I retired I would play each Christmas season on eBay and bid on Kits.  Two times I won two bids for different versions of the same boat….oops  I’ll share the other one in a few years when I move in that direction.

What I got with those bids was one old 1994 version and one newer version with the 2007 instructions of Kate Cory.   They have different parts provided and so far, and I found some missing wood.  No big deal to me, as I have a good supply.  The old paint kit came in one box.  It was kind of sad, I’ll show it one day.

One reason I got these kits is I have always had a plan to take a tangent into the world of whaling.  That means considerable reading, some travel and yes building a few models.  I am fascinated with the arctic and whaling is a big part of our New England experience up there. I plan to ultimately build a large cross section of one focusing on the process of rendering the oil.  We’ll see where it goes.

Now what to do with boat number two.  I thought about rigging one as a schooner and the second as a brig, but the story seems to be that the schooner was not a successful rig for ocean whaling.   In my early research I have found a book that tells the complete history of a 79-foot brig that first built as a merchant and then refit as a whaler.  I bought the book and for now plan to see if yes that is hull two.  I will start off as much of what is to build is affectively identical. Then other than the white strip and fake cannon ports see what could be different.

I also have my other builds that all need work before next summer, so this is truly a squeezed in adventure.

So let’s start out. I shall add in some of my research results as we carry on.  This also my first down scale to 1:64 so I have some new skills to learn here too.

·        1513634796_kc-0001BBB_2204.jpg.f89d8644d78fed5e23dbdc7889de0049.jpg Here we see two books. As stated one was written in 1993 by Erik A R Ronnberg and the second 2007 by model shipways.  The plans are the same. They seem fine for modeling at this stage though lack many details. 

 

 I have read in other blogs that until recently the New Bedford Whaling Museum would sell the Erik Ronnberg multi sheet detailed plans and booklet that would be needed for anything larger or more detailed.   I want to pursue them but so far, no success. I hope to visit the museum over the next few months.

·        1822463112_kc-0005DSC_0207.jpg.cfebfa18d886abf67d9623767e565242.jpg Here is the book I bought giving a full life study into the 79-foot brig Pavilion.

For now, I shall plan to try match up some colors from other brigs of the time [ though guessing at this point].   The picture on the cover shows the fake cannon deck and that is easy to include.

This model is the first solid hull kit that I have built.  For these early whaling kits I am focused more on what makes them whalers and how to work at smaller scale.  I have so much to learn and it would take so long to build two hulls, that is why at this point I am happy to try it out.    I was very impressed that after cutting out the patterns [ only available in one of the kits] I was to find that both hulls were pretty good.  They advertise correctly that the bow and stern need work and that is true.  They also advertise that cutting the bulkhead was to be the most difficult work.  To be honest, now that I have done it [sort of], and now I see we are planking both plank shear and whales on the upper topsides, I would recommend cutting off the bulkheads and building them up in proper thickness.   I will show you my compromise for this build in a bit.

·         1998558502_kc-0010DSC_0172.jpg.3328a9cacf943d7890c439ec93940b12.jpgHere the aft end is shaped up and one of the stern posts is set. I also drilled the hole through for the rudder post.

·         1795898619_kc-0011DSC_0174.jpg.1fae8774a039778ebe2f778ae93d59a4.jpgHere I completed one of the fit ups and added the rough masts and rudders to take a look see.

Now to get going on those little whale boats.  My Bluenose dories did not come out well and someday I need to rebuild them.  First, I plan to go through whaling boats.  With two KC’s and Charles Morgan followed by the big ¾ whale boat I should get there.

As in previous builds, making one hundred turnbuckles, multiple spars etc I try to set up some form of production line.  I do it not just to get through, but I assume by the last part I get the hang of the task.   Here I have eight boats to make.  I would think the 8th boat to be easier than the 1st.   let’s see

·         kc-0015DSC_0173.jpg.a407ef6ddc1fba1fef5c762095d6a6fc.jpgStarting off both kits use the buildup lift method.  My plan is to move through four boats one step at a time.   Then as I get it figured out expand to all eight before I forget it.

·        kc-0016_BBB_2193.thumb.jpg.8e9fc78385d1eee6c85d353b8685da2b.jpg Here we are making progress getting them set up; the insides are shaped using a wireless Dremel, file and sandpaper.    I added some glazing putty as the fit up of the lifts inside was not great. I sanded again and put the bottoms on. I just started to rough sand the outside on the first boat.   More on that process next time

Cheers

Posted

   Some more progress, a few more issues and yes more fun.

 

·        954704735_kc-0017DSC_0174.jpg.5645a3da94030780ef9c7e23f2f6869f.jpg I worked more to get the rough sanding of the outside of the first whale boat done. 

Now for the production.  My newest shop tool is a great addition.  This is a combination spindle and belt oscillating sander. One can order several grits and I did get finer for more critical future work as I am determined to enter the world of building frames.

·        1987326534_kc-0017DSC_0176.jpg.7082a0d4ca9ac72789c614822fef8127.jpg Here we see the set up using the belt

·        1427787951_kc-0018DSC_0177.jpg.db6e169ee9d8a022ab2fce61e39107f3.jpg For these little boats in just a few minutes of figure tip control I can roughly shape them

·         kc-0019DSC_0178.jpg.fd4a58b903d3886014cb9976dde1cd76.jpgWe then turn them over to the wireless Dremel small diameter sander for better control.

Back to the two ships.  We need to identify the water line and get a coat of black above and light poly below to support the eventual copper tape

·         1562727757_kc-0020BBB_2194-2.jpg.c6cd4eaa170586ff1c5236b6d84bd257.jpgI thought I was ingenious as I rigged up a POF frame from a schooner project of the past. A few calcs off the drawings and we are ready to go

·         444282861_kc-0021BBB_2195-2.jpg.1718c18ad590f7c1db4202f8932e491f.jpgHere we are where eventually we found a problem.    On all past models I set them upside down and rigid.  Here they are loose and swing on the string……let's see what happens

·        1958772925_kc-0026DSC_0179.jpg.a377c8145640a1270cfecfadc3e64d5a.jpg We have learned over the years that it’s all about the prep.  Here we have used the glazing putty to fill in all the scratches and dimples inherent in the carved hull.  After sanding with about 600 grit we are ready to prime

·      433231089_kc-0027DSC_0180.jpg.bd2e14511f1de476205dd1686068d1ee.jpg   He we use the body filler primer from a local auto parts store.  I love the flat gray.My friend uses it on his WWI navy boats with just clear coat

Back to the whalers....It is time to start boats 5-8 while we read more about the full whaler in Ronnberg's book

·        kc-0023BBB_2196-2.jpg.d74477fc6fa36dfe8bb6ca6615541ff1.jpg

1264879959_kc-0025BBB_2197-2.jpg.d09550c781baf93f1365af925210d6be.jpg Yes, the first steps go faster on boats 5-8 because it is only a few days ago that we learned how and not last year.  I have learned the hard way that forgetfulness is a trait of our generation.

 

cheers

Posted

Very cool, hope you don't mind me following.  I think whalers are very interesting as well (I'm working on the Charles Morgan).

Mike

 

Current Wooden builds:  Amati/Victory Pegasus  MS Charles W. Morgan  Euromodel La Renommèe  

 

Plastic builds:    Hs129B-2 1/48  SB2U-1 Vindicator 1/48  Five Star Yaeyama 1/700  Pit Road Asashio and Akashi 1/700 diorama  Walrus 1/48 and Albatross 1/700  Special Hobby Buffalo 1/32   IJN Notoro 1/700  Akitsu Maru 1/700

 

Completed builds :  Caldercraft Brig Badger   Amati Hannah - Ship in Bottle  Pit Road Hatsuzakura 1/700   Hasegawa Shimakaze 1:350

F4B-4 and P-6E 1/72  Accurate Miniatures F3F-1/F3F-2 1/48  Tamiya F4F-4 Wildcat built as FM-1 1/48  Special Hobby Buffalo 1/48  Eduard Sikorsky JRS-1 1/72

Citroen 2CV 1/24 - Airfix and Tamiya  Entex Morgan 3-wheeler 1/16

 

Terminated build:  HMS Lyme (based on Corel Unicorn)  

 

On the shelf:  Euromodel Friedrich Wilhelm zu Pferde; Caldercraft Victory; too many plastic ship, plane and car kits

 

Future potential scratch builds:  HMS Lyme (from NMM plans); Le Gros Ventre (from Ancre monographs), Dutch ship from Ab Hoving book, HMS Sussex from McCardle book, Philadelphia gunboat (Smithsonian plans)

Posted

Mike

thanks for sharing a liking for whalers.  I am having so much fun reading about them and the people and the historical impact on our new England maritime life.

 

I look forward to seeing your Charles Morgan.  My coming up build could be the Morgan, I couldn't resist the recent sail and I have it on the shelf.

 

I will do an update tomorrow as I have made some more progress

 

cheers

Posted

Now the first big oops….

·         1676060724_kc-0028DSC_0181.jpg.7beff47efff8ee25e66e73b79e7aa35f.jpgback in the shop looking at the results it does not take long to see the affects of the swinging line.  The water line crept up.   I have sanded and re-masked for painting

·        512953802_kc-0029DSC_0182.jpg.2eea1ce6b876f9f0938fbb094f157e66.jpg Proving it was the string we find the same problem at the other end

·      kc-0030DSC_0183.jpg.e3e3e8e2a367bca5f688f8287537b806.jpg   And yes, both ships needed the rework…. back to the garage

Now it is time to start finding the color scheme of the decks of the two brigs.  I have now read the book on pavilion.  Great story and amazing travel log. She made it to the pacific and ultimate found her demise in the North Arctic sea.   This was pre GPS and only a 79 foot ship….wow

  • kc-0040DSC_0188.jpg.654c5e574e3d09945cfe836b6e4fe68b.jpgJust before this primer, I started to add the interior planking to the transom.

·         kc-0041DSC_0189.jpg.8cd31c091d7f546babb4aa7062480f3b.jpgBefore planking the bow area, I tried an experiment.  I had some scrap poly styrene and it bent with some convincing to make a replication of the water way.    

·         130944015_kc-0033BBB_2202-2.jpg.3314e814e7193e778d67ede016516fba.jpgThe documentation all lead Kate to have a green theme so to speak.  The only green in my shop was meant for Christmas decorations so I used it for a primer. As to Pavilion I am comfortable that the bulkhead of the packet ships often had white. I am collecting photo samples to rationalize that from the whaling books.  The water ways and other hatch beams were likely dark and for now gray is an easy option.     More on this to come in my search.

·     

Back to the whalers

·         383296647_kc-0035DSC_0184.jpg.01920b689156b52e42124492d1dff53e.jpgThe final 4 whale boats were able to get through the shaping stage efficiently.  

·        kc-0035DSC_0186.jpg.c991a500e2515e616cd78fb72f7d6e79.jpg Here I put in place the seat lift as provided in one of the kits to take a look.   I choose not to use these seats and cut them all out.

·         1716242429_kc-0036DSC_0185.jpg.f4ed49f3f58510e0acb28c502949fb91.jpgHere I took the smaller lift and marked the bottom to help guiding the rough sanding

·         196592353_kc-0037DSC_0187.jpg.74aa8b1d142f2cf8a24f22e142f96dba.jpgNow we need to get stems in place.   I cut grooves bow and stern and cut out the pieces to glue in.  Once the fit is right [ it took several ties] , I just made 14 more so I could get them on easily.

·         1046091521_kc-0038DSC_0190.jpg.5172f6c232473c8a1e65e04c27e3620a.jpgHere boat #1 is glued up and boat t#2 has the groove.

 

working away

 

cheers

Posted (edited)

I want to share some more progress on the eight whalers and two main hull topsides.

 

I am starting on the slippery slope of finding the level of detail for the whalers.  As this is my first attempt, I am holding back my expectation.  I also need to make decision on the coloring for Pavilion.  The older photos I see in books, and the more paintings I see also in the whaling books, I find the boats to often be white on the outside.  So, this is something easy to change but as I start, they will be white. 

·         1172942289_kc-0042DSC_0193.jpg.ae92b370ae1e8a251a1108d80a70606a.jpgThe beauty of doing many of these little boats is that by the third one in, I begin to get the hang of it.  Here on the early boat I cut the wet keel to the right size and fitted it into the stem and pinched it with the clamp to dry before gluing.   By boat three I learned to keep the wet keel about .5-inch-long at each end and bend it down past the stem and tape it to dry.  Faster and better fit after drying out.

·        1938571552_kc-0044DSC_0195.jpg.4d8f072da9dd400f74160a131f2f09cb.jpg Here we have the assembly line.  ceilings on the left, keels in the center and the last stems and gunnels are on the right

·         1567859161_kc-0045DSC_0196.jpg.f8cd1ec4fb83afe9cd44f585a46aecfc.jpgNow we need the bow chocks. Here they are being shaped. Also, the sole and ribs are  in and we are awaiting the ceiling planks

  • 910479244_kc-0046DSC_0200.jpg.88654e20c25e496f52be9f0a476e9dbe.jpghere we see the first painting experiment on the the whalers

 

Back to our hulls.  I have been to the local arts store and found a paint that on the cover looked good……but

 

·        31540150_kc-0046BBB_2205.jpg.9e64acba420cda9f548357bc93d12f88.jpg The KC will carry on with the green theme and Pavilion will be older and in the black and white theme.  Now for the decks.....I have taken the two deck materials and tried to get the color right.  I learned the hard way that if decking is veneer or even 1/32 inch, it is better to stain and/or to add one coat of hand rubbed poly before introducing any glue.  Even with water rinse I have failed in the past to keep all glue away from the surface and there is not enough wood to deep sand for stain.  It is I and not the process on this one…So here is color scheme for KC decking.

·        1577240585_kc-0048DSC_0203.jpg.a55b9cf6b65673a02e9552d24a435268.jpg It’s time to get the anchor holes roughed in, so we can work around them.  Also, one hole was off and easier to patch up and re-drill now than later.

·        1314238999_kc-0049DSC_0198.jpg.09f88daeac39a20753de3c2f2e7e062d.jpg I have cut through for the bow sprit started the inside planking of the bow. 

·         797512059_kc-0050DSC_0202.jpg.fba9279adcbebd757dc981c4b9d49c5d.jpgHere on KC we see some bow planking in place and the first local shop artist paint……too dark for me so off to Michael's…a 50-mile trip

·         1092625679_kc-0054DSC_0201.jpg.7fecfe66824d2891390c2d37bc6ee62d.jpgWorking our way up the inside of the bow gets very tricky for the ceiling planking. Fortunately, with a painted finish, I can use pins and then patch and paint. here i tried gray but have voted it down since I saw white in old photos.

·         1942273964_kc-0055DSC_0205.jpg.e99e125d833ddb3874811ea09b7dc144.jpgThe transom is much easier to do. You can see all the experimental painting on the bulkheads.  This will be solved soon.

All for now

cheers 

 

Edited by Jond
Posted

I just made a successful trip to Michaels I hope to get some new paints…

 

·        1814002508_kc-0056DSC_0199.jpg.1870949ba7d998392b2c4e62836032d8.jpg The tube on the right shows a color I liked.  It came from the local store and produced the very dark green. I guess you cannot tell paint form the cover. the oily mess is rthe bottle that came in one of theold kits....ugly.  the next sea green is too gray and the xmas green just awful.

·       1728690270_kc-0057DSC_0208.jpg.9917c7d962ea1489964f3eca2af01386.jpg  I painted all the greens I bought at Michaels and settled on this one….some kind of mossy meadow. Also we're getting near the top on the bow planking.  several repairs in the near future I see in the photo

·        2044002253_kc-0058DSC_0209.jpg.9beaa79d0b5d1bc62b7dd7306c9938dd.jpg Here I am on the outside of Pavilion adding the anchor hawser holes.  I need to find them and the wales line up so I can design the cheek knees.  

·       1057059212_kc-0059DSC_0210.jpg.d039ce75489905fc65f57d8c31f9ccb5.jpg  This is my first unsuccessful attempt to build cheek knees for the bow stem.  I must say the plans to do not show them and the instructions show nice diagram but no dimensions.    

It’s time to figure out the decks on Pavilion.

·        

Here I am showing the colored deck from KC.  The KC build as of now  is to be 'newish'...the brig only lasted a few years.  I want Pavilion to be old because she was converted to whaling after 8 years and whaled for nearly 25 years.  Let’s experiment and come back to this one.

·        5962953_kc-0062DSC_0211.jpg.3704834115e7da53d5f6265c9bed17e4.jpg I believe I am showing 'newish' deck here in the bow area and very new sheathing

·         2116324249_kc-0063DSC_0213.jpg.e393d44f0bd7eed11f88e0efc869ff0e.jpgNow it’s time to add the exterior wales

·        526205717_kc-0064BBB_2206.jpg.3b25c5b17cfe650821801987f2c2d9a6.jpg Here we have the first deck in place

 

 

all for now 

kc-0061 DSC_0212.jpg

Posted

It is time to get ready for the first sharing of this project with our local Modeling group.  The Downeast Shipmodeler’s Guild meets monthly at or near the Maine Maritime Museum. We have some good builders in a very diverse spectrum, and I always learn something new.

 

·        2001189530_kc-0066IMG_20180910_163516969.jpg.3170c408548a81d394b405f02d6936b8.jpg I have added ceilings and seats in some of the whalers and needed to get paint in them before it was too late.  I was experimenting with yellow and tan and light gray at this point

·         kc-0067.jpg.2ef466ca503615f72f58f2879e1ab71e.jpgSo a few days before the meeting I put my things together getting ready for the meeting

I decided that I needed to get more done so I could better discuss the color issues on the main hulls and I think I should get more paint on the whalers so let’s go

·         2092071442_kc-0068DSC_0214.jpg.c260ecf3f751d4316a8c75e9edf14b32.jpgHere is second attempt on the cheek knees.  Following the book, I am working on building them 1/16 thick through lamination.    I had to put this on hold since not enough time.

·        1723605435_kc-0069DSC_0215.jpg.c2040e1548ca083f7738bf35bb727e65.jpg I wanted to put on the cap rails and get a white coat on them.  For the transom I laminated two sheets to get the arch.

·         1869224626_kc-0071DSC_0217.jpg.cb2e29f3d1948f7b074d74584221eb96.jpgHere the second sheet fills in

·        175705421_kc-0072DSC_0218.jpg.fb1b949986d1c07a3c1c894dae8be70e.jpg For the bow I made split pieces and just love this new tool. 

275545675_kc-0073BBB_2209-2.jpg.9be177ea24f618ee6eb455cb67bf2b16.jpgSwitching to a spindle I made four of these pieces in about ten minutes

·         521468801_kc-0074IMG_20180910_163510505.jpg.fa8f60054d7919f5b2425c6ad7f8f0a5.jpgHere we are one evening with cap rail on….note another oops.  Here on KN I ran the starboard cap rail all the way forward, so it would take the small bend after wetting in ammonia water solution.  On Pav I wanted to use a scrap piece, so I cut it at the side opening.  It was then impossible for the forward piece

·        1006013330_kc-0075DSC_0216.jpg.eaf7925a17a761f72d0c07899c12ebab.jpg Overnight I had to bend a soaked piece to complete the rail

483683460_kc-0076BBB_2210.jpg.2022784a79d78895e0fa93200b4bb6cb.jpgNow we are ready to go see how we are doing.

 

Off to the guild

 

cheers 

Posted

Off to the Downeast Shipmodelers Guild

 

 

Both models cleaned up ok but are still very rough and have a whaler on board in first the planned color schemes.

·        1782705493_kc-0078IMG_20180913_132936488.jpg.2404ec5d46dd2c18ed59f02c1cc1af69.jpg Here we are after lunch sitting around the table

·       925299430_kc-0079IMG_20180913_132947152.jpg.42881b5aeb20cf544e3f33038bfcf92d.jpg  I shared three of the 12 books I have for this build and a few tales of the amazing travels of little 75-80 foot brigs.

·         kc-0080.jpg.634c09b4873d3ac0b329a19b6a8914bc.jpgWhales Ships and Whaling   by Church        is listed in several build logs as a great collection of visuals for anyone taking this venture.   Men and Whales by Ellis is simply amazing.  I plan on it being s great winter read. it is encyclopedic in its approach and scope. I also took the Pavilion book I mentioned in an earlier post. I will list all the books in my research as we go along. 

 

 After we got over the banter about how I was going to sail such small models [ my recent previous builds all were sailable] we got into painting skills for these static models and how to display in water.    I learned to keep working in artist acrylic paint but when ready, and before rigging, spray on clear coat to fill in and get a much smoother finish.  We talked about water display, but I’ll hold that for future discussion. 

 

Back in the shop

 

 

I needed to finish the basic work to get above becks done to be beyond any rough handling. Then  I can begin my first attempt at a copper bottom.   

·        175523109_kc-0081DSC_0224.jpg.83b1f2ad6c2b2044ca84f3e5eb234684.jpg First up is to get hawser pipes done. I went around a bit trying to select a chain size for this new scale to me of 1:64.   A settled on 15 per inch but want to know more.  This is not a three masted bark, but a under 80-foot brig. That choice gave me the pipe size.   I have also started my third attempt to build the cheek knees. They may be ugly, but we’ll get there I hope.

·         896876952_kc-0082DSC_0225.jpg.5f8c8a0c6b1f9cf87ae6f50010a03969.jpgI decided to put on the wales.  I had hesitated because I am not sure how it works with ending the copper about 1/16th inch below.  I feel comfortable pinning to the solid hull, as I can fill the pin holes before painting.

·        1165171965_kc-0083DSC_0226.jpg.318734296598c6621a20514bcfc84ff5.jpg I am guessing that the pads around the masts were the same oiled material as the normal deck and not the light pine sheathing.  

·        1257285546_kc-0084DSC_0228.jpg.5095ae4cddbf8740cf2a6749f66f0276.jpg  I temporarily strung some chain to check it out.   Also, I notice others have modeled with chains on both sides.   Considering the primitive windless I can not image sending out hundreds of feet of chain.   The choice of rope however would have lightened the load involved with hand cranking.  Anyway, I will continue with what is shown on plans and study to see if lines were used for deeper waters. perhaps they simply did not plan to anchor in anything very deep.

 

All for now

Cheers

Posted

 

I  have some more work to get done before starting the copper bottom …I think.  I am not sure what is right. The top gallant rail is not too strong and they include all of this in the books as the first phase.  They are not too clear about when and how to do the bottom.  

 

 

·        1219575614_kc-0085DSC_0230.jpg.b0a025c1d334fdb4952c388bf0178b63.jpg My favorite adventure so far is getting these cheek knees installed.   We are slowly getting there…maybe. each time I look I want to make them smaller.

·         1771756685_kc-0086DSC_0232.jpg.06a1cfa85a463fb1eebfb845f3b0f1f9.jpgThe top gallant rail and “rooster tails”.    I already  knocked them off once, so maybe this is out of sequence.  I decided so far not to so the knight heads and buffalo rail until after the bottom is on, as I like removing the bowsprit.   I made a little cut out piece that goes in after the knight heads that I will cut through the cap rail for strength.

·         kc-0087.jpg.2de0c7474dda28dcf7d71e29f64fb38f.jpgThe cutaway bulkhead is the first fun piece. 

·         954355586_kc-0088DSC_0234.jpg.0ca59e89928657e1d93a7879b2ff5c24.jpgSecond boat cheeks

·       969259523_kc-0090DSC_0235.jpg.3b1aa94b2334d14a94a402a425b478d7.jpg  Top gallant on stern

·         755851647_kc-0091DSC_0236.jpg.55dd61bb16b6f83831f886a35b4a1fbb.jpgHawser pipe surrounds

·        725573630_kc-0092DSC_0237.jpg.33d9963aff62fd32443526ab7fa01a93.jpg Sanding of wales and cheeks ready for trial painting

·         1696227612_kc-0093DSC_0238-2.jpg.d2d05a61435077076306b38b71c4573a.jpgBulkhead installed for sailing

·         1931890185_kc-0093aDSC_0239.jpg.588fe697732942f5a119deb5201d1d3a.jpgBulkhead from inside boat two.  One of these brigs will have it open and stored….not sure where but that’s a plan at least. it would clearly block access to the pin rails if just to one side.  

 

 

I am going to do a first paint out to see what we have. I expect damage during copper so I will save touch of then.  

 

All for know

Posted

Coming along really nicely!  Are you planning to have one of the models show the cutting station?  I've been thinking about whether to show the cutting station or add sails to my model.  This may be incorrect but my guess is that many of the sails would be furled with the cutting station in operation, so I think showing the ship in full/close to full sail would be incompatible with showing the cutting station.

Mike

 

Current Wooden builds:  Amati/Victory Pegasus  MS Charles W. Morgan  Euromodel La Renommèe  

 

Plastic builds:    Hs129B-2 1/48  SB2U-1 Vindicator 1/48  Five Star Yaeyama 1/700  Pit Road Asashio and Akashi 1/700 diorama  Walrus 1/48 and Albatross 1/700  Special Hobby Buffalo 1/32   IJN Notoro 1/700  Akitsu Maru 1/700

 

Completed builds :  Caldercraft Brig Badger   Amati Hannah - Ship in Bottle  Pit Road Hatsuzakura 1/700   Hasegawa Shimakaze 1:350

F4B-4 and P-6E 1/72  Accurate Miniatures F3F-1/F3F-2 1/48  Tamiya F4F-4 Wildcat built as FM-1 1/48  Special Hobby Buffalo 1/48  Eduard Sikorsky JRS-1 1/72

Citroen 2CV 1/24 - Airfix and Tamiya  Entex Morgan 3-wheeler 1/16

 

Terminated build:  HMS Lyme (based on Corel Unicorn)  

 

On the shelf:  Euromodel Friedrich Wilhelm zu Pferde; Caldercraft Victory; too many plastic ship, plane and car kits

 

Future potential scratch builds:  HMS Lyme (from NMM plans); Le Gros Ventre (from Ancre monographs), Dutch ship from Ab Hoving book, HMS Sussex from McCardle book, Philadelphia gunboat (Smithsonian plans)

Posted

Mike

 

I am slow right now as our actual sailing season ends, boat just out of the water, and we will take a trip west for a few weeks.  When back I plan to move along and the boats will become different.

 

I want one boat to be working at sea. I found a site that sells plans for keel and bulkhead lines of whales.  I think if I make the mold and fill it with sculpy I might make a whale.  I have a sheet of lexan and may cut it out at waterline for Kc and a whale by her side and a small boat in the water. If bad I can just trash it.  I have many visuals in books showing the process.  I believe in the brig they may have rigged a storm staysail in place of the furled Main. I say that because the fishing schooners did that.  There maybe a main staysail and a jib set.. Not sure but lots of fun studying

 

Boat two......pavilion has fore sail like a schooner. I will likely have it sailing with bulkhead closed, or do a dockside showing unloading of barrels.   lots to think about . This will be first attempt of diorama l keep looking for build logs on making thin waterline so you above and below water. There are some incredible examples in lunenberg museum …..I consider the opportunity here low risk practice and learning before I try charles morgan next year.

 

Cheers

Posted

i wanted to get to a stopping point as diversions have  come up including a trip west.   

 

I am reasonably happy with the rough paint job.  It is not the last however.  I assume working the bottom and getting the bow sprit done will get me to a point to focus on redoing and finishing that process.   I got advice on using foam sanding sponges after the first painting on small surfaces like the whale boats.    This small scale is giving me hair like fibers of the wood, dust and roughness and I need to learn to deal with it.   Using a scalpel for cutting has helped a lot.   Good by x-acto knives.   I have also read in a recent blog that working with bass wood at this scale it is necessary to get one coat on and then final sanding.  I look forward to trying it.  The small whalers all need that on there outer planking. 

 

I went outside and took four pictures with normal lens and four with wide angle to suck in more color and add perspective.  These photos show me so many defects that I know I have a way to go, but also the wonderful early fall season.  

 

As photography is part of learning how to do these logs, I find it interesting as I go back and forth with a 60 MM macro that on FD nikon that  is really 90 MM and a 24 MM I keep on the FX body, so it stays at 24 MM...    I really see differences.  My photos have a long way to go though, and it's fun to try things out.

 

here are 4 with normal lens..  at 90 MM the images seem flat. I set the aperture on max to improve the field but outside i would be better to reduce it and loose the background.

1786274210_kc-0094DSC_0240.jpg.ce3d7ad4081de00e8c4e0933d91e4794.jpg

637924113_kc-0094aDSC_0241.jpg.7d445a6dba294fd2d99011b5d70d16e7.jpg

kc-0095.jpg.7f2cc21c9ae7caa7b96f06e64c299703.jpg

1087611573_kc-0095aDSC_0244.jpg.02bdece4084777a70a9c1fd94a188f10.jpg

 

 

and here  4 views with the 24 MM shot on auto.   the exaggerated perspective and deep field in focus is interesting. 

kc-0096.jpg.ef58b0c0b5a75ec7080cf0eee5d63680.jpgkc-0097.jpg.864c765ea64afcda6df3d5439286de96.jpg1188925731_kc-0098BBB_2214.jpg.151be8300ef3753ca36f0948e0e1420b.jpg1660679320_kc-0099BBB_2215.jpg.18932611cbfb43ad544cb896e431f918.jpg

 

anyway I am off to cowboy-land for a bit.   I just tried the copper bottom tape and wow I have a lot to learn when I get back

 

cheers 

 

 

  • 1 month later...
Posted

This post is to record an unplanned but wonderful delay in this build.  A local vendor in town has decided to celebrate Boothbay schooners in his new maritime focused store. The focus shall aim at those Schooners built in Boothbay.  As stated multiple times in my previous builds, both studying and modeling these locally built boats has been my desire for years.   Charles Notman was built as a prototype for building some of the 12 big 4 masted schooners built here [ 20 in the county] near the end of the schooner development in 1921.  The Maine Ice industry use of schooners and wintertime labor was also a big part of our local history including a 500-foot-long dock feeding up to 4 schooners at a time in the harbor.    The great sardine fleets, locally built packet brigs and barks  etc. So what does that mean…….

 

These whalers will be on the shelf for some time. Similar sized packet brigs were built here at the same time as the whalers, so who knows what will happen.     I will return to spruce up Charles Notman as I am scheduled to talk about the big schooners next summer, and there are several items to be completed and fixed.    I shall rebuild and complete Bowdoin hopefully in my first diorama, build a Pinky in 1:24 scale etc. etc. 

Anyway my other logs will get updates and I will switch to a new one on Bowdoin as that was a first item to get done,

 

so as we  pick up this project…

 

  • 986062666_kc-0100DSC_0433_01.jpg.a63879995277e83fb2031b615175a1b4.jpgHere we see I partially completed my first attempt at copper tape on a bottom.   My approach when I got to this stage was to order another roll.    I must say the challenge of using this tape is real.  It just does not like to easily stick.    I will likely remove it all, sand and smooth up the finish with several more coats of buffed varnish.   A lesson to learned it needs to be very smooth to hold.
  • 706734236_kc-00101DSC_0436_01.jpg.950fca05dc340f8907bfe075c5294ffc.jpgHere we see a supply of mock up barrels I bought.  I plan to figure out how to make them, as a dock side or even at sea rendering scene would need many, and in that case they should be home made. Also I want to learn to make some hollow ones on the lathe.   So much to do!
  • 1356840434_kc-0103DSC_0434_01.jpg.6eef500df06137b5b6c2dad24c6a28a2.jpgFinally, here we are resting on the shelf. All loose materials, plans and notes back in the box.   Not to be forgotten

so Bowdoin is next up

 

All for now...we shall return

Posted

Hi Jon,

 Just got around to finding this log. The whaleboats are looking great. As for the copper tape, I agree with you. It needs to be a very smooth surface. I also varnished the hull. Then I applied the tape by coating the hull with 2 coats of contact cement, let it dry, then glued the plates with more contact cement on the back of the plates. So far they're holding on well. 

 

Your timing for putting this project on hold is eerily similar to when my KC hit the shelf. While I hadn't started any whaleboats or coppering of the hull at this stage, you are at almost the exact same point with the hull, decking, rails, etc. as mine was when it went into extended hibernation for almost 30 years! 

Looking forward to seeing you get back to this build. I'll continue prodding along on mine. Judging by the amount you accomplished in just under one month, my guess is whenever you pick back up on this, I'll still be working on mine and you'll end up passing me.. 😊

 

Rich

Rich

Member - Ship Model Society of New Jersey

Current Build:  Pride of Baltimore 2

Finished: Kate Cory

Finished for now (Not rigged):  Medway Longboat

 

Posted

Rich

 

thanks for the encouragement.  I will continue to follow you and it won't be 30 years before I come back.   I am completing an old model of Bowdoin right now and experimenting on diorama. I started a log for it.     When I come back I hope to make a diorama here too.  I actually bought line drawings to create whales and I plan to try that with Sculpy…..

 

cheers 

  • 3 years later...
Posted

I have just changed the purpose of this build and will be planning it for re start in the early fall.  Here below is a list of the 32 Brigs of Boothbay listed by date. I am working on several research projects studying the shipyards of Boothbay.     This database of 550 vessels built before 1920 is a start.  Over the next few months I will highlighting some of my findings here.   The first candidates for the older brigs, would be Veto and Wellsman to fit the scale of the Kate cory hulls I am using as a base.  That selection also would cover two of the major builders. the next choice is Scillia as it was built in the main harbor.

 

 

1522411687_Boothbay-BBHBuiltVesselsjondbrigsdates220215.thumb.jpg.6280b34ab1d5b9b5f0305ab40beb1b9a.jpg

  • 3 months later...
Posted (edited)

June 2022


I have finally figured out what to do with this build and can now get back to work.  First, some rationalizing.

 

Brig build.  this version to continue in another log

 

  • 1.    Kate Cory was built originally as a Schooner rig in 1856.  She was then converted in 1868 to a brig. That means building either should be fine.   Plans for both sailing plans are included with the kit.  
  • 2.    Kate Cory  was also rigged as a half Brig…. squares on the foremast only and this form is the local norm.   
  • 3.    She was 75.5 feet long with a 22ft beam. She was registered at 122 tons
  • 4.    The five smaller brigs built in Boothbay were 75 to 80 feet long and 120 to 147 listed tons.  They were built 1825, 30,36 ,44, and 55, which covers the whole period.   My new plan is to take the partially built hull of Pavilion in this log and retask it.  She will then try to be representative of any of these 5 small brigs under sail.  [ see below that will not continue in this log]
  •  

Schooner build.    This version will remain in this log

 

  • 5.    I will take the second hull[ originally Kate] and complete it as a schooner.  In 1827 and 29 two 76-foot schooners were built in East Boothbay.   I may name the model after one of those, Katherine or Elizabeth or similarly list roughly five schooners of similar time and size as I am doing with the small brigs.     
  • 6.    I have gone through a few of Howard Chapelle books and find multiple samples where the hull shapes line up ok.  In the fishing schooner book however, they are most often in the 65-foot range. I have read in local maritime history that the fishing schooners were typically in the 50-60 ft range and the merchant schooners were similar, just roughly in the 70+-foot range.  I read that in 1840 there were 9 listed schooners running freight on the coast and 30 fishing out of  the town of Boothbay. This would explain the fleet so to speak. 

 

As I now can move forward, I am doing a parallel scratch build of the larger sized brig.  As of now I will build showing her frames and partial deck and plank. A link to that build will be resting my signature once it is up and running.    I will remove the completion of the Brig version from this log and move it to a new log to be started with the scratch build larger Brig.  Those models are intended to be displayed together to tell the story of the local brigs.


The final shift is that I have another larger fishing schooner [ built years ago as the kit Benjamin Latham and in need of repairs] that I plan to retask as a later built Boothbay fishing schooner, also of the same harbor….Photos that I have make a comfortable shift from the 1903 classic Essex built Benjamin Lathan to a similar 84 feet 72 to vessel.  There are over 20 examples to choose from. The Sadie Numan was built in 1902, so she is my leading candidate. This effort is immaterial to the purpose of this original titled build.  This addition will only contain  images of the planned repairs and a few updates. The models will be displayed together, with a Pinky, to show the evolution of local offshore Boothbay region fishing schooners.

 

This work will follow the Brigs.


As the work gets going, I will record some of the documents that I have used to rationalize these moves.  
All for now
 

Edited by Jond

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