Harvey 1847 by jfesterman - Artesania Latina - 1:50

[jfesterman]

My first build.  I bought the kit probably more than 30 years ago.  So, I’m a late starter... Copyright date on kit box is 1984.  My oldest has left the nest, so I guess I have room for a workshop!  Step 1: Clean the dust off box.  Also, thanks to Blackie and others for sharing their exceptional quality work and providing an inspiration to get started.  My plans for going forward on this build are as follows, in this order:  1. Learn how to build ship wooden models.  2. Build this model to the accuracy I choose in my noggin (this particular ship was never real, so accuracy exists only in the builder’s imagination, right?).  3. Have fun.  4. Share my progress.

[jfesterman]

Today’s progress is inventory and dry fit false keel and frames.  Wood type identification is tricky, parts list print is absolutely microscopic.  Ramin?  Bokapi?  Wow!

[ccoyle]

True, Harvey is fictitious, but the type is not. There's lots of info available on Baltimore clippers, so detail her as much as you like, then give her a name that means something to you -- like the name of your oldest, who graciously made way for your work area!

 

Have fun!

[jfesterman]

52 minutes ago, ccoyle said:

True, Harvey is fictitious, but the type is not. There's lots of info available on Baltimore clippers, so detail her as much as you like, then give her a name that means something to you -- like the name of your oldest, who graciously made way for your work area!

 

Have fun!

Thanks!

[jfesterman]

The glue up.  The cross bracing is temporary (not glued) to square up the frames a bit.  I’ve discovered my (personal) tolerance is +/- 0.5 mm.  I’m sure that might change at some point.  Been studying Chuck’s planking videos for the big step.

[jfesterman]

I was lamenting my lack of rubber bands, until I remembered my giant bag of zip ties!  They work much better, actually.  Just a couple more to glue up on the bow, then I can get on to fairing the frames.

[jfesterman]

I think I’ll name her after my 4th Great Grandmother, Hannah, who was 19 at the time (1847), when this fictional ship was launched.  She gave birth to my 3rd Great Grandmother in 1849.

[jfesterman]

Next project in the shipyard, since I’m related to the original owner.

[jfesterman]

On 4/5/2021 at 6:46 PM, jfesterman said:

I think I’ll name her after my 4th Great Grandmother, Hannah, who was 19 at the time (1847), when this fictional ship was launched.  She gave birth to my 3rd Great Grandmother in 1849.

She’s also buried not far from Baltimore...

[jfesterman]

Took a break from frame shaping and lining off to work on the longboat and some oars today.  I’m waiting on a special vice for clamping planks for tapering.  Early hand tapering efforts were an abysmal failure.  Had my first “oh crap” glue up moment.  Yay isopropyl alcohol!  All’s good now...

[jfesterman]

Skipping around a bit.  Finished planking the deck while building the longboat.  Regretting my choice of Sharpie for caulking a bit.  We’ll see how it looks after some sanding.  The Mukali strips for the decking are not only old and dry, but quite a bit shaggy and splintery.  Crisp seams were out of the question.  In a way, the Sharpie is kind of hiding the mess.  I chose a pattern that would reflect the planks being fastened to the frames.

[jfesterman]

Progress on hull planking and longboat.

[jfesterman]

Gunwale woes.  The supplied gunwales (3mm thick plywood) don’t look right (too thick), and don’t fit right (not long enough).  There’s even a spec’d part for the transom gunwale (p.n. 164) out of that same 3 mil plywood material, but it doesn’t exist.  Looks like they forgot to stamp that one!  I was wracking my brain trying to figure out how I could edge glue some of the 1.5 mil planks and cut new gunwales out of that, when I took a look in the Scottish Maid kit, and lo!  Behold some scrap 1.7 (ish) material!  Plenty to cut some gunwales out of.  Scottish Maid to the rescue!

[jfesterman]

First layer, one side done.  Only needed 4 stealers.  I see plenty of fairing in my future...

[jfesterman]

Not super pretty, but planked.  Made some progress on the longboat.

[jfesterman]

Latrine duty.

[jfesterman]

Cabin.

[jfesterman]

Hatches and gratings.  New game - spot the missing cannon ball.  🤬😢🤨😂

[Stevinne]

I love me a nice Baltimore clipper, so I'm pulling up a chair for this one. The Harvey and its little porta-potty-like latrines always have me wondering what other flush-deck ships, such as Niagara, did for crew accommodation back in the day. I think this is the only model of a Baltimore clipper I've seen that addressed the issue.

[jfesterman]

My (limited) understanding of the word “head” is a board over the side with a hole in it, forward, at the head of the ship.  

[jfesterman]

On 4/30/2021 at 2:11 PM, jfesterman said:

Hatches and gratings.  New game - spot the missing cannon ball.  🤬😢🤨😂

Yes, I made the gratings the same size.  Upon a more thorough examination of the instructions and plans, the forward one is supposed to be a bit smaller.  Might fix it later.

[jfesterman]

Compass bench and cannons.

[jfesterman]

Bilge pump and bucket shelf.  Modified the bilge pump design a bit and used wire for bucket handles, because none of the line included in the kit seemed to be the right scale for rope bucket handles.  When it comes rigging time, I might source all new line.  I’m not happy with the looks of this stuff.

[jfesterman]

This ought to be good enough for the second layer of planking.

[jfesterman]

Ok, so here’s the thing…  I know this is technically wrong, but I will be painting this hull.  That said, working with these .5mm walnut strips is challenging.  Unless they are cut very thin, like half a plank or less, they absolutely will not edge set without splintering or twisting up.  They’re also very hard to thickness plane in long lengths.  I opted to go with an easier, more natural lay, using more of a “magic line” approach, rather than an extra amount of spiling and stealers.  I ended up with one small section just under the shear where there’s an odd shaped filler plank, which still manages to get to full thickness in the middle, but tapers way more than is acceptable.

[jfesterman]

All planked up. 

[jfesterman]

Making more progress.  Mounted stem, keel, and rudder post.  Drilled holes for bowsprit and rudder.  Cut cannon ports and framed them.  Installed bulwark stanchions, breast plate, and stern belaying pin rail.  Bending up the hand rails.  I also constructed the rudder and hinges, all ready to go.  I made sure the rudder would be removable for now.

[jfesterman]

Tried my hand at making some blocks today.  1st try above, loop a little too long (too many twists)?  Anyone have any better ideas for these?

[jfesterman]

Rails, wales, davits, prow heads, cutwater reinforcements, outboard channels.

[JeffK]

I will be looking in. I’m also working on an old kit, so I wonder if we will have similar problems with older materials.