Glory of the Seas 1869 by rwiederrich - FINISHED - 1/96 - medium clipper

[rwiederrich]

In anticipation of getting some bulkheads from Vladimir...I have ordered decking and strake timbers for my Glory build.  I ordered from several suppliers..wanting to ensure a good quality and quantity of timbers.

 

In preparation..I spent some time in the shop today and I designed and made 10 identical planking/bulkhead clamps.

They work by clamping onto the bulkhead and by way of steal pins...press down on the strake as it is drying to the bulkhead.

 

In makign them I included a feature by way that the same clamp can hold strakes flat against the bulkheads that are amidship and by way of the right hand side pin that has two slots...I can use the upper slot for the strakes that are following the curve of the bow and stern...but maintaining a parallel clamping surface to the bulkhead.

 

Here are the ten clamps all in a row.  They use a wing nut and bolt to clamp the wings together against the bulkhead.

 

Rob

 

[rwiederrich]

This image shows the right pin in the lower slot for flat strakes......and the right pin removed and placed in the upper slot for strakes following the deep curve of the bow or stern.

 

I modeled the clamps after one I saw on ModelExpo.  They are made of hard maple.

 

I'm getting as much done in preperation for this fantastic build.

 

Rob

Edited April 23, 2021 by rwiederrich

[Vladimir_Wairoa]

5 hours ago, rwiederrich said:

This image shows the right pin in the lower slot for flat strakes......and the right pin removed and placed in the upper slot for strakes following the deep curve of the bow or stern.

 

I modeled the clamps after one I saw on ModelExpo.  They are made of hard maple.

 

I'm getting as much done in preperation for this fantastic build.

 

Rob

Rob,Richard, 

request to cut bulkheads was already made . Guy needs to order plywood of apropriate thickness. Once I hear back from him I will ship those. Interesting clamps. I use those black pins for stacking paper sheets. 

V.

[ClipperFan]

11 hours ago, rwiederrich said:

This image shows the right pin in the lower slot for flat strakes......and the right pin removed and placed in the upper slot for strakes following the deep curve of the bow or stern.

 

I modeled the clamps after one I saw on ModelExpo.  They are made of hard maple.

 

I'm getting as much done in preperation for this fantastic build.

 

Rob

Rob,

Those are really clever and beautifully made. Honestly, I have no clue how they will function, other than your detailed explanation. It will be fun learning from observation.

[rwiederrich]

Model shipways makes a similar clamp.

 

It clamps onto the bulkhead and the pins press down against the newly applied strake/plank.  

Basically the clamp does two things.  It holds the new plank against the bulkhead while your glue sets...doing this by holding itself to the bulkhead just below the plank.

 

The design is sound.....however...when the hull begins to curve at the bow and stern...the pins if not adjusted to the offset pin hole...will NOT comply with the bend of the hull.   So I made some mods to accommodate that issue.

 

Here's a crude drawing

[Sailor1234567890]

That visual illusion of the bow seeming to dip down after rising along the sheer is called powderhorned. She may appear powderhorned from certain angles. Boatbuilders and shipwrights will tell you the most challenging line to get right is the sheerline. It's visual prominence is part of the reason why it's so challenging. It's in your face. If it's not done perfectly, (or designed right in the first place in some cases) it will appear powderhorned. If you look up the schooner William H. Albury and check out her bow, compared to a similar vessel, LFH's schooner Mistral, you'll notice the difference. WHA is powderhorned, Mistral is not. 

[rwiederrich]

34 minutes ago, Sailor1234567890 said:

That visual illusion of the bow seeming to dip down after rising along the sheer is called powderhorned. She may appear powderhorned from certain angles. Boatbuilders and shipwrights will tell you the most challenging line to get right is the sheerline. It's visual prominence is part of the reason why it's so challenging. It's in your face. If it's not done perfectly, (or designed right in the first place in some cases) it will appear powderhorned. If you look up the schooner William H. Albury and check out her bow, compared to a similar vessel, LFH's schooner Mistral, you'll notice the difference. WHA is powderhorned, Mistral is not. 

Well there you go.  I was sure there was a nautical term aloof to us all....identifying the condition.

Thanx Sailor for enlightening us.   Almost sounds frontierian...then nautical. Maybe so.

 

Rob 

[ClipperFan]

7 minutes ago, rwiederrich said:

Well there you go.  I was sure there was a nautical term aloof to us all....identifying the condition.

Thanx Sailor for enlightening us.   Almost sounds frontierian...then nautical. Maybe so.

 

Rob 

Well better to have a powder horn than a powder keg!

[ClipperFan]

4 hours ago, rwiederrich said:

Model shipways makes a similar clamp.

 

It clamps onto the bulkhead and the pins press down against the newly applied strake/plank.  

Basically the clamp does two things.  It holds the new plank against the bulkhead while your glue sets...doing this by holding itself to the bulkhead just below the plank.

 

The design is sound.....however...when the hull begins to curve at the bow and stern...the pins if not adjusted to the offset pin hole...will NOT comply with the bend of the hull.   So I made some mods to accommodate that issue.

 

Here's a crude drawing

Rob,

Being familiar with the dramatic ins and outs of Hull curvature I think I get what your revision does. It's intended to allow you to put the pins in perpendicular to the hull's bulkheads regardless of the angle or curvature, right? If so, that's genious!

[rwiederrich]

3 hours ago, ClipperFan said:

Rob,

Being familiar with the dramatic ins and outs of Hull curvature I think I get what your revision does. It's intended to allow you to put the pins in perpendicular to the hull's bulkheads regardless of the angle or curvature, right? If so, that's genious!

Yepsters......

 

Rob

[Vladimir_Wairoa]

Folks, some happy thinking ahead of building...

Did you think about finish you are commit to her? 

Black ? Original launch color? Im really thinking longer about that as to use some beautiful natural wood as pear or make justice to typical clipper of McKay era. Blue on waterway etc..so for me ut comes like this. Either declare colors or...go with wood - light or dark...what do you think? 

[rwiederrich]

1 hour ago, Vladimir_Wairoa said:

Folks, some happy thinking ahead of building...

Did you think about finish you are commit to her? 

Black ? Original launch color? Im really thinking longer about that as to use some beautiful natural wood as pear or make justice to typical clipper of McKay era. Blue on waterway etc..so for me ut comes like this. Either declare colors or...go with wood - light or dark...what do you think? 

Well, I’m going to paint her black with a pearl white gunwal and houses and a soft blue waterway.  She will probably have varnished yards and top masts.  I will build her lower masts and probably paint the recesses between the iron bands white.

[Keith Black]

 And when is building going to commence? I'm 74, I'd like to see this thing get off the ground before I go. 

[rwiederrich]

12 minutes ago, Keith Black said:

 And when is building going to commence? I'm 74, I'd like to see this thing get off the ground before I go. 

Well it has been a year since it all started.  So now we’re waiting on the bulkheads and Vlad is busting that out as quickly as possible.   I’m prepping as much as I can till then.      By the way Vlad, I received the Glory book so now I need to set up a signing date with Mike. I assure you Keith you won’t die before I get started 

Edited April 24, 2021 by rwiederrich

[ClipperFan]

1 hour ago, Keith Black said:

 And when is building going to commence? I'm 74, I'd like to see this thing get off the ground before I go. 

Keith, where you planning to go? Inquiring minds want to know!

[Keith Black]

Heaven by the Grace of God!

[ClipperFan]

52 minutes ago, Keith Black said:

Heaven by the Grace of God!

Keith,

 

"May you be dearly departed in Heaven with God, a half an hour before the devil knows your gone!"

 

an old Irish joke

[ClipperFan]

2 hours ago, rwiederrich said:

Well it has been a year since it all started.  So now we’re waiting on the bulkheads and Vlad is busting that out as quickly as possible.   I’m prepping as much as I can till then.      By the way Vlad, I received the Glory book so now I need to set up a signing date with Mike. I assure you Keith you won’t die before I get started 

Rob, has it already been a year? It seems like yesterday when we started. Besides, at the blistering construction pace that you usually proceed with your builds, I'd lay even money you'll be done with your "Glory of the Seas" before Keith Black even sees another Birthday!

[rwiederrich]

12 minutes ago, ClipperFan said:

Rob, has it already been a year? It seems like yesterday when we started. Besides, at the blistering construction pace that you usually proceed with your builds, I'd lay even money you'll be done with your "Glory of the Seas" before Keith Black even sees another Birthday!

Well I started this thread in Aug of last year, but I was working on the plans for a hull build many months before that.    I’m waiting for Vlad.  No pressure on him, because he’s been awesome.   I’ve also been working on another clamp design that I think will rock.  I can’t wait.

[Bob Cleek]

Apropos of nothing relevant at this point in the discussion, but in the spirit of "every bit helps," I'll pass on the fact that Glory of the Seas' nameboard is hanging on the wall in  the J. Porter Shaw Library, Fort Mason, San Francisco (SF Maritime Historical Park.)  It is mentioned at 1:57 of the video on the library website:  https://www.kahnfoundation.org/j-porter-shaw-maritime-library/

[Vladimir_Wairoa]

even I dont uneerstand it in true sense  folks i feel you share also some good humor, which i like really. I arleady started Keith. just  lazy to open  topic :)) 

[Vladimir_Wairoa]

5 hours ago, Bob Cleek said:

Apropos of nothing relevant at this point in the discussion, but in the spirit of "every bit helps," I'll pass on the fact that Glory of the Seas' nameboard is hanging on the wall in  the J. Porter Shaw Library, Fort Mason, San Francisco (SF Maritime Historical Park.)  It is mentioned at 1:57 of the video on the library website:  https://www.kahnfoundation.org/j-porter-shaw-maritime-library/

Thank you Bob. wooow it is there on the wall in 2. minute with all the glory  

[Vladimir_Wairoa]

 

 

 

 

[ClipperFan]

9 hours ago, Bob Cleek said:

Apropos of nothing relevant at this point in the discussion, but in the spirit of "every bit helps," I'll pass on the fact that Glory of the Seas' nameboard is hanging on the wall in  the J. Porter Shaw Library, Fort Mason, San Francisco (SF Maritime Historical Park.)  It is mentioned at 1:57 of the video on the library website:  https://www.kahnfoundation.org/j-porter-shaw-maritime-library/

Bob Cleek, Thank you so much! It's always so thrilling to see actual items from McKay's long lost last Clipper! Seeing the genuine signboard from her, I am struck by the rough hewn simplicity and "woodeness" of her capital letters, although the "R" and "S" seem to be smoother than the "G" which looks the crudest of all. In fact, the "of the" lower case words are far more refined in appearance. Even still, it must have been quite an impression to see this in it's original gold leaf glory. 

Reviewing her 1869 photo, I noticed her "oak leaf" end clusters appear to have been completely gold leafed too. At launch, her Bow signboards were positioned further back, aligning with the graceful termination of the quarterdeck caprail just above. 

[rwiederrich]

2 hours ago, ClipperFan said:

Bob Cleek, Thank you so much! It's always so thrilling to see actual items from McKay's long lost last Clipper! Seeing the genuine signboard from her, I am struck by the rough hewn simplicity and "woodeness" of her capital letters, although the "R" and "S" seem to be smoother than the "G" which looks the crudest of all. In fact, the "of the" lower case words are far more refined in appearance. Even still, it must have been quite an impression to see this in it's original gold leaf glory. 

Reviewing her 1869 photo, I noticed her "oak leaf" end clusters appear to have been completely gold leafed too. At launch, her Bow signboards were positioned further back, aligning with the graceful termination of the quarterdeck caprail just above. 

One thing is interesting about name boards, they were typically removed while not in port.  Open sea travel was a tough business and many items not removed and stewed away...... we’re washed away and lost.  Some clippers even removed their figureheads in fear of losing them in a rough sea and then replacing them when in port for a showy effect.  

Edited April 25, 2021 by rwiederrich

[ClipperFan]

27 minutes ago, rwiederrich said:

One thing is interesting about name boards, they were typically removed while not in port.  Open sea travel was a tough business and many items not removed and stewed away...... we’re washed away and lost.  Some clippers even removed their figureheads in fear of losing them in a rough sea and then replacing them when in port for a showy effect.  

Rob, that explains why Glory's name boards appeared to be so well preserved. I remember reading that the "David Crockett" had her figurehead's rifle removed when out to sea and "Thermopylae" had King Leonidas's sword taken out as well. I don't recall entire Figureheads being taken down but I suppose it's possible. There's a tale of the British Clipper "Torrens" losing her lovely lady Figurehead being lost in a dramatic collision with a Steam Ship. Three years later she reappeared thousands of miles away in a rugged island near the Antarctic!

[ClipperFan]

13 hours ago, Vladimir_Wairoa said:

Thank you Bob. wooow it is there on the wall in 2. minute with all the glory  

Bob Cleek, Rob & Vladimir

It took the better part of the afternoon, running and pausing the video more times than I can remember. Anyhow, here's my sketch of the name board for McKay's last Clipper "Glory of the Seas."

[Bob Cleek]

6 hours ago, ClipperFan said:

I remember reading that the "David Crockett" had her figurehead's rifle removed when out to sea

Parenthetically, David Crockett's figurehead, with its rifle, is on display at the San Francisco Maritime Museum, or was. (One never knows what the NPS is going to do down there and I've not been by in a number of years. I hear they did a major renovation so... who knows? When a bunch of park rangers whose last job was cataloging Hopi pots in the desert end up running a maritime museum and historical park full of wooden ships, it never bodes well... but I digress.)

[Vladimir_Wairoa]

8 hours ago, ClipperFan said:

Bob Cleek, Rob & Vladimir

It took the better part of the afternoon, running and pausing the video more times than I can remember. Anyhow, here's my sketch of the name board for McKay's last Clipper "Glory of the Seas."

Richard its lovely, clapping hands. amazing rendition of the letters. 

woohoo. should i digitalize it ?  i would maybe render S a little less rounder as chisel keeps sharp edges defined at every turn  but im over the moon. 

[ClipperFan]

3 hours ago, Vladimir_Wairoa said:

Richard its lovely, clapping hands. amazing rendition of the letters. 

woohoo. should i digitalize it ?  i would maybe render S a little less rounder as chisel keeps sharp edges defined at every turn  but im over the moon. 

Vladimir,

Yes, definitely digitize this. There's conflicting techniques demonstrated in production of these name boards. Viewing the video on pause, letters "G" & "O" have 7 & 8 straight lines which comprise the main characters. Meanwhile letters "R" & "S" have actual smooth curves. File it under 'go figure' I guess. 

I also noticed that the name board consists of two layers. The sculpted oak leaves actually fold up gracefully and are on a lower level than the curved name board itself, which has letters carved into it. 

If you know anyone who does 3D printing, that would be perfect.