Newbie in Frederick MD

[Brewerpaul]

Hi all-- this looks like a great,helpful site.

I've long been a lover of the sea, sea stories, and sailing ships. The first ship I built was a plastic model of a Viking ship,after I saw the old Kirk Douglas movie, The Vikings. Some years later I built Cutty Sark from a plastic kit (Revell?). I was pretty happy with that at the time. A few years back we visited London and got to see Cutty Sark in person. What a thrill to walk on those familiar decks! One major disappointment though... I didn't do any research on that gorgeous ship and always assumed she was built of wood. It was a bittersweet discovery to find out that she's iron built! On the plus, that's the only thing that prevented her from being a total loss during a major fire in 2007. The restoration is superb and there are fascinating exhibits surrounding and inside the ship. It's presented supported in the air so you can walk beneath her! A must see if you're ever in England.

I've also visited Old Ironsides, the Charles W. Morgan and most recently the Viking ship Draken Harfarge.
I got and partially finished a cross section model of Old Ironsides but got discouraged by the complexity. I still have the kit, framed and planked outside. With some more practice I hope to be inspired to finish it up some day.

3 years ago we moved to Maryland,which got me interested in Baltimore Clippers, and I'm planning on building a simple kit to whet my appetite and give me some basic skills. I'll be starting a thread on this in the appropriate spot. Thanks in advance for all the help I anticipate needing!.Paul

Edited January 26, 2020 by Brewerpaul
Added material

[VTHokiEE]

Welcome! Many years ago I lived outside of Frederick. I hope you enjoy the forum!

Edited January 26, 2020 by VTHokiEE

[JeffT]

Welcome to MSW 

[bruce d]

Welcome to MSW, Paul.

Strong seafaring heritage in your area, I take it you have visited the Calvert Museum in The Solomans? I was surprised a few years ago to be able to walk around the ship-modeller's workshop (while they worked!) when touring the museum.

[Shotlocker]

Aye, welcome! As for what you need to know to build that ship, merely peruse this site...virtually all of the information is available here, in abundance. Enjoy!

[Brewerpaul]

3 hours ago, bruce d said:

Thanks-- No, I haven't made it down to the Calvert museum area yet, but I surely will!

 

Welcome to MSW, Paul.

Strong seafaring heritage in your area, I take it you have visited the Calvert Museum in The Solomans? I was surprised a few years ago to be able to walk around the ship-modeller's workshop (while they worked!) when touring the museum.

 

[mtaylor]

[Jim Lad]

Hello Paul, and a warm welcome to the forum from 'Down Under'.

 

John

[GrandpaPhil]

Welcome!

[Edwardkenway]

Welcome to MSW 😀

[DonInAZ]

Welcome aboard Paul... If it's any consolation, Cutty Sark was actually what's called "composite" construction, meaning she did indeed have a wood hull but it was built over an iron frame.  She is one of my favorite ships and I hope to possess enough skill to build an accurate model of her someday.  If I'm ever in England again, I will definitely be paying her a visit.

Edited February 8, 2020 by DonInAZ

[Brewerpaul]

21 hours ago, DonInAZ said:

Welcome aboard Paul... If it's any consolation, Cutty Sark was actually what's called "composite" construction, meaning she did indeed have a wood hull but it was built over an iron frame.  She is one of my favorite ships and I hope to possess enough skill to build an accurate model of her someday.  If I'm ever in England again, I will definitely be paying her a visit.

Thanks! I do feel better now. I really should have noticed that when I visited that glorious ship. I have photos which do indeed show the wood on iron construction. Speaking of photos, I took a fair number of Cutty Sark when we visited. Is there a particular place on this forum where I could post them for any interested?
If you love ships that much, please do plan a trip to London before you build your model. It was a highly emotional experience for me, bringing me nearly to tears, having read so much about sailing ships for nearly 60 years. We got one of those Red Bus get on- get off tour tickets (highly recommended) and it included a ferry trip down the Thames to Greenwich. We passed one of two existing replicas of The Golden Hind along the way.

Cutty Sark is no longer in regular drydock. She's ingeniously suspended in mid air by a great many supports for even weight distribution along the hull. This gives the visitor the unique opportunity to keelhaul himself, that is, walk from bow to stern UNDER the keel! I could go on and on but the bottom (no pun intended) is GO. You'll remember the experience forever.