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

[rwiederrich]

Beautiful. The bow and angle of the cut water are perfect IMV. So is the Druxey correction.    Sweet!  I love it.

[ClipperFan]

Rob,

Thanks for the high praise, I appreciate the compliment. "The Druxey Correction" may go down in modeling history. He certainly opened my eyes to a hidden bias I didn't even realize I had. Another benefit of that revision is that the lower carved arch is now clearly longer than Glory's figurehead. Speaking of which, you might want to look at the incredible cardboard Ship modeling work of a European lady named Doris. She uses a form of sculpey clay and gets amazingly lifelike results.

This not to disparage your carving abilities, it's just that with this huge scale you might be able to achieve some finer results doing sculpture. Anyways, if you haven't had a chance to see Doris's work, it's phenomenal. All scratchbuilt, all hand sculptured, magnificent creations.

[Keith Black]

32 minutes ago, ClipperFan said:

to see Doris's work

Her work is fantastic, a modeler with unbelievable skills. It never ceases to amaze me the number of world class modelers with build logs in MSW. It's a real testament to the quality of this website that NRG provides. Well worth becoming a supporting NRG member.  

[rwiederrich]

4 hours ago, ClipperFan said:

Rob,

Thanks for the high praise, I appreciate the compliment. "The Druxey Correction" may go down in modeling history. He certainly opened my eyes to a hidden bias I didn't even realize I had. Another benefit of that revision is that the lower carved arch is now clearly longer than Glory's figurehead. Speaking of which, you might want to look at the incredible cardboard Ship modeling work of a European lady named Doris. She uses a form of sculpey clay and gets amazingly lifelike results.

This not to disparage your carving abilities, it's just that with this huge scale you might be able to achieve some finer results doing sculpture. Anyways, if you haven't had a chance to see Doris's work, it's phenomenal. All scratchbuilt, all hand sculptured, magnificent creations.

Interesting thing is, I saw the *Druxey correction* at about the same time he called it out, but I was going to ease in with my observation...he just beat me to it.  Sure is true that like minded folks think alike.    I know Doris very well...she and I have been conversing for several years now.  I now and again go over to her European websight and converse with her there as well as on these pages.  She is a Master with paper and her sculpting is absolutely amazing....

I plan on doing my carving in hard dental wax...it is a medium I am very familiar with and it carves well when it is soft and then it hardens like a sculptamould material.

 

We are all learning new tricks as we work together to accomplish our end results.

Thanks for the fine comments and recommendations.

 

Rob

[rwiederrich]

3 hours ago, Keith Black said:

Her work is fantastic, a modeler with unbelievable skills. It never ceases to amaze me the number of world class modelers with build logs in MSW. It's a real testament to the quality of this website that NRG provides. Well worth becoming a supporting NRG member.  

Yes indeed....and what I find most amazing is that she hasn't been building ship models all that long....even her understanding of ship structures is limited...but it is how she can translate what she sees into a living accurately scaled model that I find extraordinarily amazing.  I would expect her modeling abilities to be found in an aged modeler who couples years of personal experience with a true grasp of wood husbandry and manipulation.  But no...this girl just picked it up and ran with it.  Sure she did possess clay modeling skills and an artistic flair but she sure found her calling when she put it all together in a quality ship model.

 

Just can't say enough about Doris.

 

Rob (Now I feel more like a hack then ever)

[ClipperFan]

Rob, I regret to inform you that it's just to unwieldy to refer to the Bow revision as the "Druxey-Wiederrich" Correction. Henceforth we shall simply refer to it as the "Druxey Correction."

On a more salient topic, I'm fascinated by your description of carving in hard Dental wax. It sounds like you're experienced in that. Is this some type of molding wax used to make teeth implants? I'm just curious. 

As regards to Doris, maybe you can take a page out of her book and light your Glory of the Seas replica too...

[rwiederrich]

1 hour ago, ClipperFan said:

Rob, I regret to inform you that it's just to unwieldy to refer to the Bow revision as the "Druxey-Wiederrich" Correction. Henceforth we shall simply refer to it as the "Druxey Correction."

On a more salient topic, I'm fascinated by your description of carving in hard Dental wax. It sounds like you're experienced in that. Is this some type of molding wax used to make teeth implants? I'm just curious. 

As regards to Doris, maybe you can take a page out of her book and light your Glory of the Seas replica too...

The Druxey Correction sounds best👍  Dental waxes are mailable as well as stable.  I owned a dental lab and denture clinic for over 25 years, so I have plenty of experience with waxes. I have considered lighting Glory,  with a light in the helm cabin, glowing from the aft cabin windows and possibly a glowing lamp in the forecastle, with the batteries hidden insides a removable fore cabin.   Lots to happen before then😊

Rob

[ClipperFan]

Rob,

 I was joking. It was my form of humor, obviously an acquired taste....

 

[rwiederrich]

3 hours ago, ClipperFan said:

Rob,

 I was joking. It was my form of humor, obviously an acquired taste....

 

Ahhh...I see.  I had originally gathered that that might be the case.  But then calculated that at the slightest chance, you might be cognitively serious, so I thought it might be interesting to add lighting....since it will only be a hull model and internal lights might just add that additional detail that would otherwise be found in the masting and rigging.  Your joking intent actually had some fruitful outcome.  I felt a cohesive answer better then, just openly shouting out, *Are you nuts....how about I run some canned music of sea chanties (Or better yet, sounds of a salmon cannery) coming from below decks while I'm at it*?

[druxey]

I always thought canaries were yellow, not salmon colored! (Another 'druxey correction')?  Seriously, I'm very flattered.

[rwiederrich]

1 hour ago, druxey said:

I always thought canaries were yellow, not salmon colored! (Another 'druxey correction')?  Seriously, I'm very flattered.

Calling out cutwater stem corrections is one thing...but now your getting ...spelling police...nasty. 

[ClipperFan]

Rob,

I was serious about the lighting idea. I was joking about the hyphenated name for the druxey correction. The thing that amazes me about Doris's work, which really livens them up is the lighting she incorporates. That and the way she actually invents interiors for her vessels. Anyhow, this is your model, your project, I'm just honored to participate.

[druxey]

Now you know the meaning of the word 'druxey': rotten to the core. It is a form of wood rot found in the shipyard: spongy white veins inside logs.

[rwiederrich]

2 hours ago, ClipperFan said:

Rob,

I was serious about the lighting idea. I was joking about the hyphenated name for the druxey correction. The thing that amazes me about Doris's work, which really livens them up is the lighting she incorporates. That and the way she actually invents interiors for her vessels. Anyhow, this is your model, your project, I'm just honored to participate.

Oh...you weren't clear about what part of your comment you were joking about.  I incorrectly assumed you were speaking about the latter half...the Dory lighting half....not the Druxey~Wiederrich correction half.

Perception is everything.  My mistake.   I do like the lighting idea and even the idea of making the roof of the poop cabin removable to show the interior....interesting.   It could be a theme...not  only make the hull....but to incorporate interior details to increase the models interest.  Lighting included.  I have loads of mahogany and oak veneer to line the cabins and main dinning room.

 

I, actually need to get back to her, now that I am no longer detained with helping my daughter put up drywall and tape/texture her house.

 

Rob

[Bob Cleek]

On 8/29/2020 at 6:57 AM, ClipperFan said:

A more complete image of Glory at her launch. A blue flag with white stars flies on a post mounted to her Bowsprit. Another large American flag flies at her Stern. The detail is so crisp in this scene, I can count the strakes around her Starboard loading port. I count 9 strakes above the copper line, just below the port, 4 next to the port and an additional 7 just above and below the covering board of her Main Rail. I think I read that each of these strakes were 12" wide. That would mean the port is 9' above the waterline, 4' tall and 7' below the main rail covering board. That would mean the vessel is 20' from the waterline to the main deck. Since below the waterline is even deeper, it's beginning to look like "Glory of the Seas" is approximately 54' from keel to top of the monkey rail. This would be at the lowest level of her 7' sheer, meaning the Bow would be above 60'. A very substantial vessel indeed.

What a great picture! Thanks for posting it. 

 

While not a matter directly relevant to the previous discussion, I was amazed to seek how many people had climbed aboard to ride her down the ways, apparently. The photo would suggest more went down the ways along with her than watched from the shore and they all lined the rail to pose for the photographer! It appears that every one of them trudged up that ramp and then climbed that rickety wooden ladder to get up over the rail! No safety harnesses. No railings or lifelines. No "Safety First" signs in that shipyard, I'd wager!

 

Disembarking them once she was in the water must have been a good trick, too.

[rwiederrich]

58 minutes ago, druxey said:

Now you know the meaning of the word 'druxey': rotten to the core. It is a form of wood rot found in the shipyard: spongy white veins inside logs.

Man....not to be sounding all knowing, but I remotely thought I knew the definition of that, when I first read your username.  It sounded so familiar, but with names it could mean almost anything.  NOW I believe I fully understand where you're coming from...….

 

Rob(In the company of Giants)

[ClipperFan]

Druxey,

Yuck! That's such a gross and unpleasant description of wood rot. I never knew that's what your username meant, I just thought it was your last name. Truly, you learn something new every day. However, I'm sure you are nothing like the moniker you've chosen...

Rob

This is probably the clearest PEM image of Glory on the ways. I counted about 80 people, including many women in skirts. Never mind climbing that rickety ladder 50' in pants, can you imagine attempting that in the type of full length skirts, as well as the undergarments women wore in those times? 

I once had an opportunity to enter the original cabin saved from the Downeaster "Benjamin F Packard" at Mystic Seaport. It was really beautiful. "Glory of the Seas" was described as having no expense spared in her luxurious appointments.

I hope to get the final Stern of Glory done this Weekend.

[rwiederrich]

49 minutes ago, Bob Cleek said:

What a great picture! Thanks for posting it. 

 

While not a matter directly relevant to the previous discussion, I was amazed to seek how many people had climbed aboard to ride her down the ways, apparently. The photo would suggest more went down the ways along with her than watched from the shore and they all lined the rail to pose for the photographer! It appears that every one of them trudged up that ramp and then climbed that rickety wooden ladder to get up over the rail! No safety harnesses. No railings or lifelines. No "Safety First" signs in that shipyard, I'd wager!

 

Disembarking them once she was in the water must have been a good trick, too.

I'm wondering why it appears she is being launched prior to all her plates being added.....?

[rwiederrich]

10 hours ago, ClipperFan said:

Rob

This is probably the clearest PEM image of Glory on the ways. I counted about 80 people, including many women in skirts. Never mind climbing that rickety ladder 50' in pants, can you imagine attempting that in the type of full length skirts, as well as the undergarments women wore in those times? 

I once had an opportunity to enter the original cabin saved from the Downeaster "Benjamin F Packard" at Mystic Seaport. It was really beautiful. "Glory of the Seas" was described as having no expense spared in her luxurious appointments.

I hope to get the final Stern of Glory done this Weekend.

Realizing that the same sense of danger and the need for extreme safety measures (as we are accustomed to today) was just not in the mind set of folks back then.  Freedom, it appears, was more prevalent.   I was reading that the cabin that was saved from the clipper Nightingale, named for the famous singer Jenny Lind, was extremely well fashion and finely finished.  There was little external ornamentation and embellishments, safe the prow and stern of clippers...so much expense was lavished on their interior decorations and finishing's, where passengers would enjoy them.

Can't wait to see your final rendering.  I glued the bulkheads to the keel last night.  I'll add reinforcing members between them when I return from Holiday.

 

Rob

 

[ClipperFan]

Rob,

Here's the original Captain's Cabin interior of the Penobscot, Maine 'Downeaster' Benjamin F Packard which is reconstructed entirely intact at Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT

[rwiederrich]

That top image of the Benjamin F Packard's cabin at Mystic.. I've never seen, but the other two I have had in my collection for years.  When I began my research on the Glory..I came across that B/W image of the Packard's interiors...and it inspired me to imagine the interiors of the Glory as they must have appeared.

 

Rob

[Keith Black]

1 hour ago, ClipperFan said:

Here's the original Captain's Cabin interior of the Penobscot, Maine 'Downeaster' Benjamin F Packard which is reconstructed entirely intact at Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT

Shipwright carpentry at it's best, absolutely stunning.  

[Bob Cleek]

8 hours ago, rwiederrich said:

I'm wondering why it appears she is being launched prior to all her plates being added.....?

I noticed. Maybe they ran out and were waiting for a delivery of more?

 

Taking a "second enlightened look" at the picture, it doesn't appear as if she's immediately ready for launching. I'd expect chain to be faked out on the ground to slow her down and more of the scaffolding to be removed and cleared away. The apparent lack of spectators ashore when a large crowd would be expected to attend the launching, and the crowd on deck, which I would expect not to be usual during a launching, may indicate that the event was some sort of "open house" shortly before launching, but not immediately before. 

[Keith Black]

Could have been a worker's family Sunday, bring the wife and the kids down and show off the ole man's work. From what you guys have said about McKay, it sounds like something he would have organized/allowed.  

[druxey]

It was common practice (in naval dockyards, at least) to launch, check for any leaky seams, drydock, seal, then copper the bottom. Otherwise it would be harder to detect the source of water ingress and a pain to remove the copper to caulk the offending seam(s.)

[Bob Cleek]

3 minutes ago, druxey said:

It was common practice (in naval dockyards, at least) to launch, check for any leaky seams, drydock, seal, then copper the bottom. Otherwise it would be harder to detect the source of water ingress and a pain to remove the copper to caulk the offending seam(s.)

Excellent point. However, it was my impression that no coppering at all was done until the vessel was first launched and swelled up, for the reason you note. What difference would it make to copper most of the hull when it was as likely to leak in the coppered as it was the uncoppered seams?

[ClipperFan]

I found these on my laptop. First two are from the Alaska State Library, digital archives. Interestingly, search for 'Glory of the Seas' and you'll get no results. Look for Alaska Fish Cannery and there she is! "Alaska Fish Company, Floating Cannery, Hawk Inlet, Alaska" is still available as a free download. 

The other image no longer seems available on-line. GLORY of the SEAS in Middle Waterway, Tacoma, 1917 shows poor Glory with her Grecian Goddess figurehead intact.

It's apparent that Glory's lower Hull has a long, practically straight Cutwater that slopes ever so slightly back from straight verticle. 

[rwiederrich]

She's moved up the dock in this image I posted earlier.  Her bow is nearly vertical.

[rwiederrich]

I came across an old colorized version of the pre-launch photo.

 

Interesting additions

[ClipperFan]

In regards to "Glory of the Seas" on the Ways, I agree that this is most likely not her launch day. More likely as others have described as an Open House to "bring your family to view the latest McKay Clipper" Day. Compare images of the Clipper "Great Republic" launch, where there are hundreds, maybe thousands of people surrounding the massive vessel, with clearly a mere handful of dignitaries on board to the crowds of people on board Glory with only a handful of spectators on the grounds.

As to her yet incomplete coppering process, that too contributes to a sense that this isn't her launch day. Towards the Bow just above the coppered area, there appears to be black felt underlay. Farther back, just behind scaffolding it looks like this material has yet to be applied. My guess is that this particular vessel's launch didn't occur until after the entire underwater Hull had received all her copper plates (actually called yellow metal).