Colonial Sloop Providence by KenW - 1:48 - Finished

[KenW]

The main sail is furled. I was worried about this, but it came out alright. It doesn’t look too much different than a photo I have of the replica’s furled sail.  I also rigged the mainsail outhaul and the main sheet.  I used the rigging plan shown in the Petersson book mentioned above; even though I know that rigging practices changed in around 1800 and all of Petersson’s examples are of ships after 1805.  But, nothing is glued in place yet.

 

       

[Thukydides]

That looks really good. I have been considering the possibility of doing furled sails for my alert build using silkspan, but I am a bit nervous it is a bridge too far for a first build.

[KenW]

Thanks Thucydides. 

Furled sails aren’t that difficult.  But, I didn’t attempt it until my third model.  I was worried about other things.

However, your model looks like it’s coming along great.  Give it a try.

Cheers.

[TomShipModel]

The sail looks very good Ken.

 

Tom

[Mike_In_RI]

The furled sail looks great Ken. Nicely offset against the black.

 

Mike

[KenW]

Thanks Tom and Mike.

[Maury S]

I'm thinking of putting furled sails on the Emma C Berry.  You doing so pushed me further in that direction.  Nice job.

Maury

[KenW]

Thanks Maury

[KenW]

I spent a great deal of the summer in the country without my model.  But I survived and am happy to get back to work on the Providence.  The first thing I noticed is that the main sail is a bit too short.  

 

So I took the sail down and made a new one.  I like the longer sail and I think the furling produced a better look this time. 

 

After redoing the rigging, I added a tack line which is described in Lee’s and Antscherl. 

Now it’s time to move on to something new.

     

[lmagna]

Welcome back Ken. I missed your progress reports, and getting to see your fabulous model. Now get to work!

[KenW]

I made the main mast trestle trees and hounds/bibbs.  Before I glued them to the mast, I made the spreader yard (similar to the mizzen cross jack) because I want to make the truss, which ties the yard to the mast, while the yard is off the model.  A sling block and two quarter blocks are also stropped to the center of the yard which will be used later.  Then the yard is lowered over the mast head and the trestle trees and hounds are glued in place.  The mast itself and the yard are still not glued - in fact, I don’t plan on gluing either, but rather let the rigging keep everything properly lined up.  I also rigged the gaff throat and peak hallards.

 

     

[KenW]

And now for something completely different.  I made the Winchelsea stove from Chuck Passaro’s kit.  The stove will be a great knick-knack for my oldest son’s desk or shelf.  Like all Syren kits,the parts are precision cut and fairly easy to assemble.  Some parts are very small and will break so care is needed.  Fortunately, extra pieces for those tricky parts are supplied.  Now, of course, I’m going to have to make another one for my youngest son.

 

[Mike_In_RI]

Nice use of the black on natural colors for the mast. I like that look.

 

Your son will be proud of that stove for a long time. Well done.

 

Mike

 

 

 

 

[lmagna]

Nice to be able to see your latest progress Ken.

Great work on both the ship and the stove.

[KenW]

Back to the Providence.  I added the shrouds to the port and starboard sides.They have not been tied off yet.  I’m thinking I may want to undo them when trying to rig lines in the future.I’m thinking that I won’t add the ratlines before securing the shrouds.

 

       

[lmagna]

Nice to see you making a little progress on your beautiful Providence Ken. Always enjoyable seeing her.

[Mike_In_RI]

Ken, I really like the way you modeled the sail. It looks great. It's now on my list of potential ideas to plagiarize emulate. Well done.

 

Mike

[KenW]

Thanks Lou and Mike.  "Plagiarize!  Let no one else's work evade your eyes!"

Cheers.

[Snug Harbor Johnny]

  Someone I know believes there were 2 guns on the quarterdeck (probably smaller than those on the weather deck), giving the Providence 12 guns in all.  I wouldn't know about that.  He also mentioned there would have been a ship's boat carried.  He references the Rhode Island repro. Providence in its present configuration for comparison, and said something I didn't quite understand about a slight projection of the quarterdeck.  He does admire the detail and skill put into the model as a fine representation.

[KenW]

The number of guns on the Providence changed during its lifetime.  When it was converted from a merchant, it "took" 6 guns from British stores.  So, at first, it had 6 guns.  By the time command was given to JP Jones in Jan., 1776, she had "acquired" 10 guns.  When she was destroyed at Penobscot, she reportedly had 14.

I initially had the projections from the quarterdeck, but didn't like the look of it.  Other models done in the 1930s didn't have that either.  My choice.

My model will have a ships boat hanging from the stern.

Thanks for your comments.

[Snug Harbor Johnny]

  Your points are well made.  Following the Glory of the Seas builds,  the series of photos show that the ship was continually modified throughout its life.  One builder noted the specific time he was aiming for - that is, a configuration appropriate to the time frame source pictures indicate.  There is no "one" Glory - as there is no "one" Providence or most other ships (the Wasa sank one its maiden voyage, so I suppose that the restored original in Stockholm is the 'version' most modelers should choose).  You have made an excellent model (also noted by my friend), and I doubt I could do as well ... maybe close.

 

Fair sailing and a following breeze!   Johnny

[KenW]

I’m fully into the process of rigging the vessel.  I’ve added the boom topping lift, the fore stay, the fore back stay and the jib stay.  All of these lines were made using the rope I made using the Syren rope walk.  Next I’m going to tie the rat lines; but I’m leaving the shrouds still attached with the wires.  Just in case I need to move them out of the way as rigging continues. Also, the lines tied to the belaying pins are not glued or trimmed.  

 

   

 

             

[lmagna]

A real pleasure seeing your progress again Ken.

[FriedClams]

Beautiful work Ken, really really nice.

 

Gary

[KenW]

Thanks Gary.

Nice to meet you at the Northeast Conference.

Cheers.

[FriedClams]

Likewise Ken.

 

Gary

[KenW]

Next up is the foremast staysail.  I’m going to attempt to use hanks rather than just a metal ring.  The hanks will be of metal, however, made to look like a wooden hank.  I’m using 28 gauge black wire.  First, I made the hanks and tied them with a very thin thread using a clove hitch.  The hanks were placed over the fore stay, and each hank was tied using a hole made using a drill where the “cloths” joined.  Add a little diluted white glue, trim the thread once the glue dries and cut off the exposed metal ends.

 

   

 

Once all the hanks are done the sail looks ready to be furled.  However, that will have to wait until after after I make another Medway stove.

 

[Mike_In_RI]

Great looking sail/hanks Ken. Also the fore stay line looks super... home made?? Mara? Gutterman??

 

Mike

 

[KenW]

Thanks Mike.  The stay line is home made.  I used the Syren rope walk and recommended formulas. 

In the case of the fore stay it was made from Gutterman Mara 70, 4 strands.

Cheers.

Edited December 13, 2021 by KenW

[KenW]

The ‘fore’ staysail has been furled.  I had to try three different positions before I found one that I liked.  Again the lines - halyard, downlauler, and sheets - are not belayed to their final location in the forecastle.