Charles W. Morgan by John Ruy - FINISHED - Marine Model Company - 5/32”=1’ (1/76 scale) - Vintage Solid Hull Kit

[John Ruy]

On 6/7/2020 at 1:07 PM, toms10 said:

 

Hi John,

I would appreciate the plans when your done.

 

You got’em... 

[toms10]

Great thanks John. I will pm you my address.

Tom

[John Ruy]

Laying out the spars and hardware as I review Standing Rigging Plan. 

I will begin with the shrouds and build the yards along the way as I complete the standing rigging. 

Feels good to be back on the Charles W Morgan. The break to work on the New Bedford Whaleboat was good. 

Now I can start tackling the Rigging. 👍

[John Ruy]

Standing rigging is officially started. Two pair of Fore Mast Lower Shrouds installed.

This too shall be very time consuming. It’s all good, I do need something to fill my evenings. Cheers 🍻 

[John Ruy]

Sheave Holes, Topsail Halyard Chains, Lower Yard Chain Slings installed. 

 

 

 

 

Later...😎

Edited January 26, 2021 by John Ruy

[John Ruy]

Fore Mast Lower Shrouds completed. Had some difficulty working around the Gallis Framing. 

 

However I did persevere rigging the Deadeyes. 

 

 

 

Lots of Deadeyes and Shrouds to go.... 😆

[Voyageur]

Outstanding work so far. It's looking great.

[David Lester]

Your CWM is looking great. These old Marine Model kits look like they were fairly decent kits. From my (limited) knowledge of the CWM, I'd say this is a pretty accurate representation.

I also think you've nailed the yellow colour of the bulwarks and other fittings perfectly.

David

[John Ruy]

10 hours ago, David Lester said:

Your CWM is looking great. These old Marine Model kits look like they were fairly decent kits. From my (limited) knowledge of the CWM, I'd say this is a pretty accurate representation.

I also think you've nailed the yellow colour of the bulwarks and other fittings perfectly.

David

Thanks David... I do like the vintage kits. This one has a lot of detailed metal parts, although there is some controversy around how long these Lead parts may last. The metal parts are better than having to build many parts, such as cross trees, Davits, etc... from scratch. At this scale those would be difficult. I did a custom mix of acrylic ochre and white to get the yellow where I wanted it. I used photos from my visit aboard the CWM last summer to match up the color. Wish I had taken more pictures of rigging aloft. I also reference your MS CWM build log a lot, it’s been very helpful. Thanks again for your comments, very encouraging. I still have a ways to go. 
 

Onward...

John
 

 

[David Lester]

John, have you found this website: www.charleswmorganmodel.com?

It's primarily a build log, but what I found most helpful was the many excellent pictures of the actual ship. They're found under the "gallery" link.

David

[John Ruy]

David, Yes I have been referencing that site also. The Marine Model Kit uses 1939 plans that don’t exactly match up with how she sits today. Hopefully, I came make her appear as she did at the end of her whaling career. Any tips or advice you have is greatly appreciated. 
 

John

[John Ruy]

Continuing work on the shrouds. Progress is slow, but I am growing more skillful at rigging the Shrouds and Deadeyes. This pair of Shrouds only took 2 hours. 😆

Deadeyes are getting smaller as I move up the masts. Needing the mag light for everything. 🧐

 

Steady as she goes... 😎

[ClipperFan]

John Ruy 

You're making beautiful progress on this venerable Marine Models 'Charles W Morgan' replica. To settle the possible dispute about the 4 Stern Windows, I've posted a book I read years ago, written by Edouard A. Stackpole on the topic of the Charles W. Morgan published in 1967. One of the biggest surprises those restores made, were original frames for 4 Stern Windows that had been boarded over for decades. There are even pictures of the discovery. Before they felt comfortable re opening them, they did extensive research in the Ship's Logbooks. Only after finding a Log entry from the Captain's wife, referring to her opening the big Transom Windows to air the vessel out, did they feel right in their discovery. I realize you're making an accurate replica of the Morgan's current appearance as a Bark without Stern windows but I thought you might appreciate knowing about their genuine authenticity. I personally miss the old vessel as she appeared in the 60s as a fully rigged ship with painted faux cannon covers and the more elegant Transom. That's how I remember her best.

[John Ruy]

Thanks for the info ClipperFan. I was a bit confused by the transom metal part having windows while the 1939 drawings that came with the kit showed no windows. Every step in building this kit has been a decision between what is On the plans, in the history books and other kits. She obviously underwent many changes as she sailed the seas Throughout her whaling career. 
 

Thank you for your comments and encouragement on my progress. I hope to create a replica of her sailing the whaling grounds more so than her current restored appearance in Mystic. 
 

Of course that’s all matter of opinion, I just enjoy the process. Cheers 🍻 

[John Ruy]

Completed the upper most Fore Shrouds last night. I must say vary tedious. That’s a good thing. 😆

 

 

Photos of how they turned out.

 

 

Did some research as I get ready for rat lines and found they I may have installed the lower Deadeyes a bit short. 

Photo from Charles W Morgan .com shows these Deadeyes higher than they are on my plans. 

 

Here is what I have now. 

 

Hate to say this by I think a redo of the lower shrouds is in order. I guess that’s part of my OCD. I have time, I would just as soon get it right. 

 

[Bob Cleek]

I have the same Marine Models Co. Morgan kit in "unopened" condition. One of these days I'll build it, but I've sort of outgrown kits, so I'm contemplating a lot of "kit bashing" or using the plans to build a 1:48 scale scratch-build, perhaps even plank-on-frame. The Morgan is a great vessel to model, but there are a lot of Morgan models around and if and when I build it, I would want something different from all the rest.  I've decided to build her as of the date of her launch, carrying her original ship rig. I've been researching her original appearance for some time. I'd not known of the Stackpole book, so I've ordered a copy just now.  From what my research has revealed thus far is that in her original configuration the windows were indeed there. (There's also a log entry relating that one was stove in at one point.) The windlass was originally abaft the foremast, where the hatch is now. The hatch was where the windlass is now. The original windlass placement seems odd, but likely allowed it better positioning for use handling the cutting in tackle and blubber hook. The deck house built on the stern was not there originally. She had a bare deck and uncovered steering station when launched. The shed roof over the tryworks area was not original, either.

 

If anybody knows of any other changes, I'd be happy to hear of them.. 

[Voyageur]

2 hours ago, John Ruy said:

 

Did some research as I get ready for rat lines and found they I may have installed the lower Deadeyes a bit short. 

Photo from Charles W Morgan .com shows these Deadeyes higher than they are on my plans. 

 

 

Here is what I have now. 

 

Hate to say this by I think a redo of the lower shrouds is in order. I guess that’s part of my OCD. I have time, I would just as soon get it right. 

 

First of all, great work! First rate.

I’m curious where that picture of CWM was taken. Clearly not in Mystic.

I’m also wondering how you avoid the lower shrouds interfering with the gallis frames. I searched my own pictures to see if I could find a good side view. This one is from a couple years ago. Not really clarifying but it is a beautiful view of CWM and I thought I would share it anyway.

[John Ruy]

Voyageur, 

 

Thanks for your photo. I know finding an appropriate reference is difficult. The Gallis frames are not in the photo. As I look at your photo it confirms for me that I may not have curved the Gallis frames inboard enough. It looks like I may need to revisit the Gallis frame construction. 
 

Thanks for your input, sometimes it takes a village to see these things from different angles. 👍

 

I’ll let you know what I come up with. 

[John Ruy]

Upon another review of the plans. 
 

See photo...

 

 

The Gallis Frames appear to be built correctly. However, I have noticed that the Mystic CWM does not have Gallis Roof over the Try Works on the forward deck. 
 

The 1939 drawings definitely show the Gallis Roof on the forward deck over the Try Works. 
 

See photo...

 

This is the only Gallis Frame that interferes with the Fore Mast Shrouds. 
 

 

So I have noticed the fact that there was no roofing over the Try Works on other Models of the CWM. However, I would like to keep the roofing over the Try Works, if that is a historically correct feature. 
 

I can rebuild the Gallis Frame to lean inboard more and eliminate the interference with the shroud. 
 

Thanks again Voyageur for Your attention to the details, it was helpful. Now I need someone to let me know where this roofing fits in the CWM history. 
 

Bob Cleek,

Do you have any historical input on this?

 

😎

 

[John Ruy]

Bob, Thanks for your historical perspective, I knew you would have some knowledge around this subject. I also knew the Deadeyes could not stay that way, it just didn’t seem right. 
 

I went back to The Charles W Morgan by John Leavitt published by the Mystic Museum and found this 1916 photo of her in dry dock for repairs. 
 

 

An up close look shows the forward Gallis roofing in place and the shrouds aligned on either side of the frame that extends through the shroud. 
 

Looks like I’ll need to reconstruct the Shroud Channel and the Gallis Frame to correct the alignment. Bottom line it looks like she had the forward Gallis roofing in her last days at sea.

[John Ruy]

Shroud mis-alignment not fare with the Gallis Frame turned out to be a combination of two issues. 
 

1. I had the Gallis Frame over scale and much too wide. 
 

2. The Fourth Shroud was also tied too forward of center on the Fore Mast and is better fitted to the rear of the Fore Mast. 
 

I’m now in the process of correcting the width of all of the Gallis Frames and re-rigging the Fore Mast Lower Shrouds. 
 

Wanted to share my solution and thank both Voyageur and Bob Cleet for their input. 

 

As they say “it takes a village”.  Glad I found this site, the support on here is great. 👍 Later...

Edited January 26, 2021 by John Ruy

[Voyageur]

Sounds like a good fix. And it looks much Improved. One more observation looking at that last photo is that it appears the forward gallis frame is slightly aft of where it should be. It might just be an optical illusion but it looks like the spacing is a bit narrower between that and the next frame than the other frames. In the drawing they appear equally spaced.

[John Ruy]

Voyageur,

 

Trust me the Gallis Frames are equally spaced. I’m sure once the other frames are narrowed it will look right. I will trim the frames on both sides equally to ensure they stay equally spaced. 
 

Thanks for your observation. Keeps my OCD alive. 😎 

[John Ruy]

Progress on Gallis Frame re-construction and Fore Shroud alignment. 
 

Narrowed up the Gallis Frames by shaving them to the correct width. 
 

 

Aligned the first two shrouds over the rear of the Fore Mast platform. 
 

 

completed two Backstays to properly align the Fore Mast. Then completed the three forward shrouds. 
 

 

On to Bobstays and Martingale Chains to stabilize the Bowsprit and Jib Boom for the Fore Stays. 

 

Stay Safe out there...

John 😎

[John Ruy]

Good morning MSW followers. Progress on the CWM has been slow. Amongst other projects I have been building a half bath in my basement. My wife says she’ll never see me again, except when I surface for food. 😎 I am calling it my Captains Quarters. We are giving it a nautical theme. 
 

OK... back to my progress report. Working on the Bowsprit and Jib Boom. Used black construction paper to create The jib boom hardware. Drilled pilot holes after the glue dried. 

 

Doubled over the eyelets to fit tightly in the holes drilled in the boom. 

 

 

I did not care for the chains supplied in the kit, so I purchased more suitable chain at Michaels. 
 

 

Tied off Deadeyes and tightened up the Bob Stays. 
 

 

The Deadeyes are very small at this scale. 
 

 

Continuing to work on the chains on the Bowsprit. I will touch them up with a little flat rust enamel as I go. 
 

 

On ward... 🍻

[Voyageur]

Lookin’ good!

[John Ruy]

Completed Bow Sprit and Martingale Stays. Keeping everything tight is challenging. 

 

 

Fore Stays all in...

 

 

 

 

With Fore Stays in its on to completion of the Fore Back Stays and Shrouds. 
 

 

Stay Safe out there. More later... 😎

Edited January 26, 2021 by John Ruy

[Papa]

Looks great.

[John Ruy]

Progress Report...

 

Its been almost two weeks since I last updated this build log. Had to work through a few issues with the build. I continued to struggle with the Gallis Framing interference with the Fore Shrouds. 
 

 

Although I had cut them down the frames were not inboard enough to allow the proper alignment of the shrouds. 
 

I came to the conclusion I would have to rebuild the Gallis Frames and cut out the Fore Gallis roofing. 
 

 

I hated to do this, but it had to be corrected. Once the framing was out of the way the shrouds were installed properly. 
 

 

I then rebuilt the Gallis Framing to the proper scale and reattached the roofing. I will need to do the same with the Aft Gallis as well. Lessons learned on attention to details. 

 

I then moved on to rigging the Lower Shrouds with Battens. I struggled a bit with how to tie them. 
 

 

Lots of detail here, a long way to go... 

 

Got to get after it. 

 

Later... 😎

Edited January 26, 2021 by John Ruy

[Voyageur]

Nicely done! Looks like a great job on the battens.