Gun Port wreaths

[allanyed]

Looking at photos of contemporary models, most appear to have gun port wreaths that have a groove/rabbet cut to accommodate wales or moldings.  A few have the moldings or wales cut so the wreath can lay flush against the hull without any wood removed from the back of the wreath.   I cannot find anything indicating what the actual practice was.   

 

If anyone has information based on contemporary descriptions I would be grateful to learn how this was done in actual practice.

 

Examples on contemporary models follow:

 

TIA

Allan

 

Wreath over wales and molding

Wreath with wales cut to fit.

[Jaager]

No data here.

 

My guess would be that the decoration would adapt to the structure.

To be cynical,  the second option where the hull is damaged to accommodate the decoration - the carver probably valued the wreath more than the hull and did not wish to risk having to remake the carving.

[druxey]

In actual practice a structural component would not be cut into or 'wounded' in any way. The thicker planking of the wale was more important, so the first method would be correct. The second photo appears to show the model-maker's 'easy out'.

[allanyed]

Thank you Jaager and David. 

Not "wounding" the wales makes  total sense and with the vast majority of contemporary models confirming this, that is the route I will follow.

 

Allan

Edited November 15, 2021 by allanyed