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

[Rick310]

Rob,

Glory looks right at home on your study!  Truly magnificent

clipperfan, hope you and your family get back into your home soon and wishing you a better 2023

[ClipperFan]

19 hours ago, BANYAN said:

Sorry to hear of your heating/power woes Rich, I hope you find yourself back in your home soon.

 

I hope you and your family have a better 2023.

 

regards

 

Pat

Hi Pat,

I appreciate your encouragement.

[Speedy]

117 pages i two days. I'm impressed.

[rwiederrich]

12 hours ago, Speedy said:

117 pages i two days. I'm impressed.

You *spead* along....Heehee.

 

Thanks a lot.  Now that the summer months approach, I'm busy with loads of summer jobs on the house and yard.  I hope to get back to the shipyard to plan out my next build.

 

Again....thanks for the fine comment.

 

Rob

[Rick310]

Just saw the article in NRG on Glory of the Seas!!  Congratulations to all who contributed to the project!!

Rick

[rwiederrich]

18 hours ago, Rick310 said:

Just saw the article in NRG on Glory of the Seas!!  Congratulations to all who contributed to the project!!

Rick

Thanks Rick.     Rich will be doing a follow-up article in a later issue, outlining and depicting the completion of my Glory build.  It has been a fascinating journey, one, I hope readers will enjoy.

 

Rob

[yankee clipper]

I as well just finished the article in NRJ and think it one of the best ever. You guys have done a superb job of research, documenting and building models of one of man's work of art.

Next time I am visiting the "OLD" cemetery in Newburyport I will stop by Donald's grave and tell him how well you guys honor him and his magnificent creation.

 

YC

[rwiederrich]

43 minutes ago, yankee clipper said:

I as well just finished the article in NRJ and think it one of the best ever. You guys have done a superb job of research, documenting and building models of one of man's work of art.

Next time I am visiting the "OLD" cemetery in Newburyport I will stop by Donald's grave and tell him how well you guys honor him and his magnificent creation.

 

YC

I can't wait for my hard copy, so I can show family and friends.  What is so serendipitous, is that,  Rich and myself had begun our own separate researching journeys on Glory at around the same time 15 or so years ago.  It wasn't till he saw a post of mine on this or some other site of my modifying a Revell CS hull into Glory, that we formed a fellowship.  A common dream to reimagine Glory of the Seas, as she actually was.  Vladimir, who I converted from British to American clippers, brought, his computer and Cad design skills to bear in the project.....and the rest is,.....shall we say,  history.

 

Rob

[ClipperFan]

On 3/19/2023 at 2:21 PM, Rick310 said:

Just saw the article in NRG on Glory of the Seas!!  Congratulations to all who contributed to the project!!

Rick

Rick,

I'm glad you enjoyed the article. I've seen a pdf version but yet to see it in the magazine itself yet. Regardless, accolades go out to Rob Wiederrich, who's single-minded pursuit of creating an historically scale accurate replica led to a fascinating domino effect. His efforts caught the attention of Arina "TheAuthor'sDaughter". This led to an eventual meeting with her dad, non other than the world's foremost authority on all things related to Donald McKay's final magnificent final clipper ship Glory of the Seas. Few realize that Mike, as he prefers to be called, has been researching this splendid vessel since 1955. Our small cadre has had the benefit of Mike's nearly 70 years of research. Each step of the way, Mike has generously provided us with his insight and to me, at least more exhilerating, his amazing seemingly endless cache of incredibly sharp contemporary photographs. 

Another significant contribution to this reconstruction effort has been made by Vladimir who's gifted CGI talents enabled him to create a backbone with bulkheads similar to Flying Fish kits. Vlad then generously provided Rob and I with sturdy 1:96th scale moldings. A personal thank you I owe is to Druxey who very generously took my somewhat amateurish mish-mash and guided me to a workable manuscript. 

Now I get to do this process all over again, as the NRJ editor has already given his approval for at least one more follow up article, since Rob has completed his 1:96th scale version. At the same time I plan to advocate for his impressive miniature to go on display, preferably in a local Western Seabord location. Residing on the East Coast, I would love to one day see his model myself. Perhaps we can generate more excitement since Mike's 3rd publication "From Whaler to Clipper Ship, Henry Gillespie, Down East Captain" gets released July 15th. Time will tell.

[ClipperFan]

On 3/20/2023 at 1:23 PM, yankee clipper said:

I as well just finished the article in NRJ and think it one of the best ever. You guys have done a superb job of research, documenting and building models of one of man's work of art.

Next time I am visiting the "OLD" cemetery in Newburyport I will stop by Donald's grave and tell him how well you guys honor him and his magnificent creation.

 

YC

Yankee Clipper,

It may sound trite but this is truly sincere. I am deeply humbled by your very generous comments on my article. Since this was my first article published, I once again want to acknowledge the selfless tutelage of Druxey. He very generously agreed to edit my initial rough draft. Based on the enormity of red ink I received back, two thought occured to me. First, I realized how much effort Druxey put into carefully evaluating my punctuation. Specifically, the biggest novice mistakes I repeatedly made were run-on sentences. If my initial draft had been a car, it would have been analogous to a vehicle without brakes endlessly careening downhill...

Second, the final ready for print manuscript was barely recognizable to the original draft submitted to Druxey. If you really enjoyed reading this article, a special recognition belongs to my invisible editor too. 

[rwiederrich]

I would love nothing more then to dedicate this model to what ever museum would wish to display her proudly along with artifacts contributed by Mike and possibly copies of his books for display value.  A complete display can be arranged with NRJ publications  as well.  I think it could be a fascinating historical display.  A one of a kind display any museum would value in their collection.  
 

It’s locating a cooperative established museum interested enough to see the models shipment to and display at their museum that just might be a problem.  

 

Rob

Edited March 22, 2023 by rwiederrich

[ClipperFan]

1 hour ago, rwiederrich said:

I would love nothing more then to dedicate this model to what ever museum would wish to display her proudly along with artifacts contributed by Mike and possibly copies of his books for display value.  A complete display can be arranged with NRJ publications  as well.  I think it could be a fascinating historical display.  A one of a kind display any museum would value in their collection.  
 

It’s locating a cooperative established museum interested enough to see the models shipment to and display at their museum that just might be a problem.  

 

Rob

Rob,

Mike has expressed his interest in seeing your completed model. Perhaps that's a start. Maybe later this year, when Mike's 3rd publication becomes available it may generate more interest. Perhaps a better approach would be to include your model as part of a collection of Mike's artifacts and rare photographs enlarged. You would think the publisher would have some interest in such promotional value. 

[rwiederrich]

Pictures of Mike Mjelde and hid daughter Arina viewing Glory of the Seas.   
 

What a meeting

 

Rob

[Vladimir_Wairoa]

2 hours ago, rwiederrich said:

Pictures of Mike Mjelde and hid daughter Arina viewing Glory of the Seas.   
 

What a meeting

 

Rob

Wonderful photos Rob. Congratulations. it sure must have been exciting moments ti have Michael commenting in her. wow. im just envious :)) V. 

[Mirabell61]

Congrats Rob, thats an excellent built clipper,

whats next ?

 

Nils

[rwiederrich]

5 hours ago, Vladimir_Wairoa said:

Wonderful photos Rob. Congratulations. it sure must have been exciting moments ti have Michael commenting in her. wow. im just envious :)) V. 

Yeah....it was a real honor.  He was so impressed and even commented and made a strong point to note the use of scale men on her.....he said that really helps bring her size to life.

We are far from over with discussions about Glory.  His new book is coming out soon and he suggested he wants to use my model during book signing and review  sessions.

 

Mike also sprung some exciting news on me too.....he is planning a fourth book.  Unlike the newly published 3rd book, which is more or less a biography of the captain who sailed her for several years....but is a specific story about her last voyage that she sailed under her own power.....up the West coast from San Fran to Canada.  His transcript is ready to go to review.  The story behind it is fascinating.  He actually was able to transcribe the entire event from 2 crewmen who actually sailed on her during that voyage...back in the 60's.  Can't wait for that book.  

Plus Mike has many more unpublished images of Glory we have yet to see.   Stuff keeps coming out of the woodwork.

 

It was a great visit.

 

Rob

Edited May 22, 2023 by rwiederrich

[rwiederrich]

4 hours ago, Mirabell61 said:

Congrats Rob, thats an excellent built clipper,

whats next ?

 

Nils

Thanks Nils.  Well I was going to start on the Western Shore, a clipper built in Cooz Bay Oregon, but I have yet to receive the plans from a friend, model shipwright Steve Priske.

So, I decided to do a bit of extensive remodeling and convert my first attempt at Glory...into the clipper Donald McKay.  The last of a group of four clippers Donald McKay built for James Baines of the Black Ball line in England.

 

James Baines was so impressed with this latest model of McKay's and of her sheer size, (second to that of the Great Republic), that he names her after his friend and builder Donald McKay.

 

As is my usual habit of creating unusual displays for my clippers, I will be placing her in the open sea diorama base I made for her several years ago.  It too is getting an upgrade.

 

If you pop over to my log on the subject, you can follow there.

 

Thanks for the fine comments Nils.

 

Rob

[rwiederrich]

Just a note for folks wondering what Mike is looking at in the first pic I posted.  That is my remade shadow box of a plaque Mike had originally presented to the son of a crewman who served on Glory.  The original plaque spent its time on a schooner that was built by the father(crewman)(Sorry, I can't remember all their names off the top of my head).  When the son....who inherited the schooner passed away.....the family went through his collection and sold or parted with much of it.  Serendipitously I found the plaque(now missing its glass) for sale on Ebay.  I had to have it.....and I repaired it...remounted it in a new shadow box I made for it and...now it hangs in the library.

 Mike hadn't seen it since, he originally presented it over 35 years ago.  He was moved.

Needless to say, Mike and I have a lot of conversations, and he sharing new treasures from Glory coming in the future.

 

Rob

Edited May 22, 2023 by rwiederrich

[BANYAN]

That great that Mike and his daughter were able to come and personally view your excellent work Rob; I'll bet they were as thrilled as you.

 

cheers

 

Pat

[rwiederrich]

9 hours ago, BANYAN said:

That great that Mike and his daughter were able to come and personally view your excellent work Rob; I'll bet they were as thrilled as you.

 

Pat, that might be so...but I think my excitement exceeded theirs, if not solely for the knowledge that Mike is publishing a 4th addition to his Glory of the Seas saga.

 

It's the gift that keeps on giving.

 

Mike has also informed me that he would like my model to accompany him on any book signings and reviews he may be engaging in.

 

Rob

[BANYAN]

That's a great outcome; and 'kudos' well deserved.

 

cheers

 

Pat

[rwiederrich]

A couple more images of me, Mike and Glory

 

Rob

[rwiederrich]

Here are some of Mike and I checking out his drawing he made in 1963.  And a copy of his latest books dust cover from the publisher. 
 

Rob

[rwiederrich]

Building a new case for Glory of the Seas.  It will be from the ceiling down.  A big case built in.  It’s late and I worked on it all day……so no pics till tomorrow.  Till then.    This means I have her existing shelf for another clipper…….

 

Rob

[rwiederrich]

Here are a few construction pics of the new case.   Still have trim to add.  
 

I used 100 year old cedar for the construction.  It was grown about the time Glory of the Seas was burned.    A fitting symbol of one life began as another was ending.   
 

More images to follow today.  
Rob

[Vladimir_Wairoa]

54 minutes ago, rwiederrich said:

Here are a few construction pics of the new case.   Still have trim to add.  
 

I used 100 year old cedar for the construction.  It was grown about the time Glory of the Seas was burned.    A fitting symbol of one life began as another was ending.   
 

More images to follow today.  
Rob

lovely  

[rwiederrich]

Finished the case and filled it with the model and some historical images.  Here’s some images. 
 

[rwiederrich]

I built the shelf brackets to be exactly like the main beam brackets in the living room.  
I wanted the case to look original to the space, but still purposeful for the model.

I think it looks good and the model is now protected from dust and Cobb webs…..and prying hands. 
I wanted the model to be easily viewable, so I intentionally kept the case as low as possible.  LED track lights from both rooms amply illuminate the model. 
 

Rob

Edited February 12 by rwiederrich

[Jim Lad]

A beautiful display for a beautiful model!

 

John

[rwiederrich]

Thanks everyone for the fine comments and likes.  I stopped waiting to receiver a concrete confirmation from any museum.

 

Rob