Bahamas Diver Posted February 17, 2013 #1 Posted February 17, 2013 (edited) I will be attempting to re-construct this log over the next few weeks. The US Brig Niagara or the Flagship Niagara[a], is a wooden-hulled brig that served as the relief flagship for Oliver Hazard Perry in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. It is one of last remaining ships from the War of 1812. TheNiagara is usually docked behind the Erie Maritime Museum in downtown Erie in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania as an outdoor exhibit for the museum, but travels the Great Lakes during the summer, serving as an ambassador of Pennsylvania when not docked. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and was designated the official state ship of Pennsylvania by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1988. The Niagara was constructed from 1812 to 1813 to protect the vulnerable American coastline on Lake Erie from the British and played a pivotal role in the battle for the lake. Along with most of warships that served in the war, the Niagara was sunk for preservation on Presque Isle in 1820. Raised in 1913, it was rebuilt for the centennial of the Battle of Lake Erie. After deteriorating, restoration of the Niagara was started again in the 1930s, but was hampered by the lack of funds caused by the Great Depression and remained uncompleted until 1963. A more extensive restoration was carried out in 1988 in which much of the original ship was largely destroyed. The incorporation of new materials and modern equipment makes it ambiguous as to whether it is or is not a replica A picture of me (in the middle) while working as a volunteer sailor on the Niagara, with the decedents of Oliver Hazard Perry. Edited February 17, 2013 by Bahamas Diver Quote David Current build: US Brig Niagara Completed builds: Oseberg Viking Ship - Billing Boats Armed Virginia Sloop - Model Shipways The Phantom - Model Shipways Next project: Amati's Xebec A ship has all the discomforts and lack of privacy of a jail with none of its safety or stability - Benjamin Franklin Quis custodiet ipso custodes?
patrickmil Posted February 17, 2013 #2 Posted February 17, 2013 I'm glad to see you back David. The Niagara's are regrouping! Quote Thanks, Patrick YouTube Channel for fun: Patrick's Scale Studio Finished: Model Shipways US Brig Niagara I Love Kit USS Curtis Wilbur DDG-54 Current: Trumpeter USS Yorktown CV-5
Bahamas Diver Posted February 17, 2013 Author #3 Posted February 17, 2013 Thanks Patrick. This is going to be an interesting task...rebuilding a log. Like you, I am probably going to only up load pictures as I have been working on my Niagara since September 2010. Quote David Current build: US Brig Niagara Completed builds: Oseberg Viking Ship - Billing Boats Armed Virginia Sloop - Model Shipways The Phantom - Model Shipways Next project: Amati's Xebec A ship has all the discomforts and lack of privacy of a jail with none of its safety or stability - Benjamin Franklin Quis custodiet ipso custodes?
Bahamas Diver Posted February 17, 2013 Author #4 Posted February 17, 2013 Pictures of building the superstructure. Quote David Current build: US Brig Niagara Completed builds: Oseberg Viking Ship - Billing Boats Armed Virginia Sloop - Model Shipways The Phantom - Model Shipways Next project: Amati's Xebec A ship has all the discomforts and lack of privacy of a jail with none of its safety or stability - Benjamin Franklin Quis custodiet ipso custodes?
Bahamas Diver Posted February 17, 2013 Author #5 Posted February 17, 2013 Building one of the 3 launches. The clinker planking is made out of manila paper from a file folder. Quote David Current build: US Brig Niagara Completed builds: Oseberg Viking Ship - Billing Boats Armed Virginia Sloop - Model Shipways The Phantom - Model Shipways Next project: Amati's Xebec A ship has all the discomforts and lack of privacy of a jail with none of its safety or stability - Benjamin Franklin Quis custodiet ipso custodes?
Bahamas Diver Posted February 17, 2013 Author #6 Posted February 17, 2013 Building the gunwales. Quote David Current build: US Brig Niagara Completed builds: Oseberg Viking Ship - Billing Boats Armed Virginia Sloop - Model Shipways The Phantom - Model Shipways Next project: Amati's Xebec A ship has all the discomforts and lack of privacy of a jail with none of its safety or stability - Benjamin Franklin Quis custodiet ipso custodes?
kenr Posted February 17, 2013 #7 Posted February 17, 2013 Hi David Great to see you back. That is at least 3 Niagaras up and running !! Regards Ken Quote Under construction US Brig Niagara Completed HMB Endeavour - Caldercraft
Bahamas Diver Posted February 17, 2013 Author #8 Posted February 17, 2013 Next came adding the deck. Quote David Current build: US Brig Niagara Completed builds: Oseberg Viking Ship - Billing Boats Armed Virginia Sloop - Model Shipways The Phantom - Model Shipways Next project: Amati's Xebec A ship has all the discomforts and lack of privacy of a jail with none of its safety or stability - Benjamin Franklin Quis custodiet ipso custodes?
Bahamas Diver Posted February 17, 2013 Author #9 Posted February 17, 2013 (edited) the hull was time consuming but fun. The difficulty of this model is that it is single planked. This means the the ends of each plank must be attached to a bulkhead, making the staggering of the planks bit more difficult. On the other hand, because the hull gets painted some errors in planking can be covered up with paint. After the hull was planked I filled in any gaps by laying a thin line of white glue in the gap and then sanding over the area. This let the sawdust from the sanding attach to the white glue and fill the gap. Edited February 17, 2013 by Bahamas Diver Quote David Current build: US Brig Niagara Completed builds: Oseberg Viking Ship - Billing Boats Armed Virginia Sloop - Model Shipways The Phantom - Model Shipways Next project: Amati's Xebec A ship has all the discomforts and lack of privacy of a jail with none of its safety or stability - Benjamin Franklin Quis custodiet ipso custodes?
Bahamas Diver Posted February 17, 2013 Author #10 Posted February 17, 2013 Once the Deck and hull were completed, i made the deck furniture. Quote David Current build: US Brig Niagara Completed builds: Oseberg Viking Ship - Billing Boats Armed Virginia Sloop - Model Shipways The Phantom - Model Shipways Next project: Amati's Xebec A ship has all the discomforts and lack of privacy of a jail with none of its safety or stability - Benjamin Franklin Quis custodiet ipso custodes?
Bahamas Diver Posted February 17, 2013 Author #11 Posted February 17, 2013 More deck furniture. The companionway and salon sky iights Quote David Current build: US Brig Niagara Completed builds: Oseberg Viking Ship - Billing Boats Armed Virginia Sloop - Model Shipways The Phantom - Model Shipways Next project: Amati's Xebec A ship has all the discomforts and lack of privacy of a jail with none of its safety or stability - Benjamin Franklin Quis custodiet ipso custodes?
Bahamas Diver Posted February 17, 2013 Author #12 Posted February 17, 2013 one f the most fun jobs was making the guns. Quote David Current build: US Brig Niagara Completed builds: Oseberg Viking Ship - Billing Boats Armed Virginia Sloop - Model Shipways The Phantom - Model Shipways Next project: Amati's Xebec A ship has all the discomforts and lack of privacy of a jail with none of its safety or stability - Benjamin Franklin Quis custodiet ipso custodes?
Bahamas Diver Posted February 17, 2013 Author #13 Posted February 17, 2013 Making the rudder, pintles and grudgeons Quote David Current build: US Brig Niagara Completed builds: Oseberg Viking Ship - Billing Boats Armed Virginia Sloop - Model Shipways The Phantom - Model Shipways Next project: Amati's Xebec A ship has all the discomforts and lack of privacy of a jail with none of its safety or stability - Benjamin Franklin Quis custodiet ipso custodes?
milosmail Posted February 17, 2013 #14 Posted February 17, 2013 Looks like a great start, and progress. I have the kit, but I am currently about half way through the Lauck Street Fair American. I figure I will be on to the Niagra by July, so I would love to hear about any 'gotcha' errors you found in the kit or instructions. I have never done single plank on hull yet, and that is the part I am the most nervous about. Did you have any problems with wood quality? Sometimes I find the MS quality is a bit lacking, especially in planking wood. I'm debating replacing all the kit's mahogeny for planking with wood from Hobby Mill. Quote Steve Brock San Jose, CA
Bahamas Diver Posted February 17, 2013 Author #15 Posted February 17, 2013 Hi Steve, I know I had a number of gotcha's but I am having trouble remembering many of them. As for the wood quality, I had no troubles with it. There is no mahogany as I recall. Since nearly everything is painted (thee is not much that is stained or left "bright" it is not necessary to buy other woods. If however, you are not going to paint your model, then getting better quality woods would be a wise idea. When you start your Niagara Build Log, I'll follow it. If i think of things as you progress I promise to comment on them (esp. the gotcha's) Quote David Current build: US Brig Niagara Completed builds: Oseberg Viking Ship - Billing Boats Armed Virginia Sloop - Model Shipways The Phantom - Model Shipways Next project: Amati's Xebec A ship has all the discomforts and lack of privacy of a jail with none of its safety or stability - Benjamin Franklin Quis custodiet ipso custodes?
keelhauled Posted February 17, 2013 #16 Posted February 17, 2013 Nice build. I thought the use of manila folder for building the boat planks was brilliant! I've never been able to get a nice clinker built look. Your's looks great. I'll try using that material in the future. Quote Currently building the Cutty Sark http://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/topic/1000-cutty-sark-by-keelhauled-mantua-kit-bashed-first-wooden-ship-build/
Bahamas Diver Posted February 17, 2013 Author #17 Posted February 17, 2013 The tiller is completed. and the mortise and tenon are fashioned. Quote David Current build: US Brig Niagara Completed builds: Oseberg Viking Ship - Billing Boats Armed Virginia Sloop - Model Shipways The Phantom - Model Shipways Next project: Amati's Xebec A ship has all the discomforts and lack of privacy of a jail with none of its safety or stability - Benjamin Franklin Quis custodiet ipso custodes?
lb0190 Posted February 17, 2013 #18 Posted February 17, 2013 (edited) David, it's good to see you back up on MSW. Thank you for the offer to help, Your stern photos are exactly what I need to determine where I need to make corrections. Edited February 17, 2013 by lb0190 Quote Regards, Larry ---------------------------------------------------- Current Build US Brig Niagara Completed Builds George W Washburn - 1890 Tugboat Future Builds 18th Century Longboat by MS HM Cutter Cheerful Wappen Von Hamburg by Corel If your not making mistakes, your not challenging yourself – my life has been full of challenges
Bahamas Diver Posted February 17, 2013 Author #19 Posted February 17, 2013 The kit comes with metal anchor stocks which looked terrible. I re-fashioned the stocks from wood. The "metal bands" are made from manila folder stock blackened with a sharpie. augie 1 Quote David Current build: US Brig Niagara Completed builds: Oseberg Viking Ship - Billing Boats Armed Virginia Sloop - Model Shipways The Phantom - Model Shipways Next project: Amati's Xebec A ship has all the discomforts and lack of privacy of a jail with none of its safety or stability - Benjamin Franklin Quis custodiet ipso custodes?
Bahamas Diver Posted February 17, 2013 Author #20 Posted February 17, 2013 Here the rudder and tiller are installed and the iron tiller support bar was added. I also added the brackets for the capstan bars and rigged them to the gunwale. Quote David Current build: US Brig Niagara Completed builds: Oseberg Viking Ship - Billing Boats Armed Virginia Sloop - Model Shipways The Phantom - Model Shipways Next project: Amati's Xebec A ship has all the discomforts and lack of privacy of a jail with none of its safety or stability - Benjamin Franklin Quis custodiet ipso custodes?
Bahamas Diver Posted February 17, 2013 Author #21 Posted February 17, 2013 Painting the hull was a fun process. I mixed black paint into the green paint recommended for the hull as I wanted the hull to be a dark green. Quote David Current build: US Brig Niagara Completed builds: Oseberg Viking Ship - Billing Boats Armed Virginia Sloop - Model Shipways The Phantom - Model Shipways Next project: Amati's Xebec A ship has all the discomforts and lack of privacy of a jail with none of its safety or stability - Benjamin Franklin Quis custodiet ipso custodes?
Bahamas Diver Posted February 17, 2013 Author #22 Posted February 17, 2013 Here the tiller is rigged as is the test rigging for 1 of the 18 carronades. Quote David Current build: US Brig Niagara Completed builds: Oseberg Viking Ship - Billing Boats Armed Virginia Sloop - Model Shipways The Phantom - Model Shipways Next project: Amati's Xebec A ship has all the discomforts and lack of privacy of a jail with none of its safety or stability - Benjamin Franklin Quis custodiet ipso custodes?
Bahamas Diver Posted February 17, 2013 Author #23 Posted February 17, 2013 Long guns and Carronades rigged. Quote David Current build: US Brig Niagara Completed builds: Oseberg Viking Ship - Billing Boats Armed Virginia Sloop - Model Shipways The Phantom - Model Shipways Next project: Amati's Xebec A ship has all the discomforts and lack of privacy of a jail with none of its safety or stability - Benjamin Franklin Quis custodiet ipso custodes?
Bahamas Diver Posted February 17, 2013 Author #24 Posted February 17, 2013 All guns are finally rigged. JerseyCity Frankie 1 Quote David Current build: US Brig Niagara Completed builds: Oseberg Viking Ship - Billing Boats Armed Virginia Sloop - Model Shipways The Phantom - Model Shipways Next project: Amati's Xebec A ship has all the discomforts and lack of privacy of a jail with none of its safety or stability - Benjamin Franklin Quis custodiet ipso custodes?
Bahamas Diver Posted February 17, 2013 Author #25 Posted February 17, 2013 Parts made for ship's bell and bell construction complete. JerseyCity Frankie 1 Quote David Current build: US Brig Niagara Completed builds: Oseberg Viking Ship - Billing Boats Armed Virginia Sloop - Model Shipways The Phantom - Model Shipways Next project: Amati's Xebec A ship has all the discomforts and lack of privacy of a jail with none of its safety or stability - Benjamin Franklin Quis custodiet ipso custodes?
Bahamas Diver Posted February 17, 2013 Author #26 Posted February 17, 2013 Here the cat's heads are completed and installed onto the ship. Quote David Current build: US Brig Niagara Completed builds: Oseberg Viking Ship - Billing Boats Armed Virginia Sloop - Model Shipways The Phantom - Model Shipways Next project: Amati's Xebec A ship has all the discomforts and lack of privacy of a jail with none of its safety or stability - Benjamin Franklin Quis custodiet ipso custodes?
patrickmil Posted February 18, 2013 #27 Posted February 18, 2013 I still don't think we are entirely up to speed on your Niagara yet, are we? Quote Thanks, Patrick YouTube Channel for fun: Patrick's Scale Studio Finished: Model Shipways US Brig Niagara I Love Kit USS Curtis Wilbur DDG-54 Current: Trumpeter USS Yorktown CV-5
Sjors Posted February 18, 2013 #28 Posted February 18, 2013 So there you are….. I was looking for you. Glad that you be back. Sjors Quote Currend builds: USS Constitution by Sjors - Model Shipways - Scale 1:76 HMS Victory by Sjors - Jotika - Scale 1:72 On hold: VOC Reconnaisance yacht Duyfken by Sjors - Kolderstok - Scale 1:50 Finished builds: HMS Snake (1797) by Sjors - Caldercraft - Scale 1:64 Nuestra Señora del Pilar by Sjors & Anja - OcCre - Scale 1:64 H.M. Brig-Sloop Flirt 1782 by Sjors - Vanguard Models - Scale 1:64 HMS Agamemnon by Sjors - Caldercraft / Jotika - 1:64 San Ildefonso - OcCre Le Mirage - Corel Smit Rotterdam (sea tug) - Billing Boats - 1:75 Sovereign of the seas - De Agostini Spirit of Mississippi - OcCre Santissima Trinidad - OcCre Corsair - OcCre
Bahamas Diver Posted February 18, 2013 Author #29 Posted February 18, 2013 Thanks Sjors. . I have jury duty this week so depending on whether or not I am picked I will attempt to finish rebuilding (or at least adding pictures to) my log. I feel so depressed...I was a commander or captain before the crash...now I have been demoted! hehehehe. Quote David Current build: US Brig Niagara Completed builds: Oseberg Viking Ship - Billing Boats Armed Virginia Sloop - Model Shipways The Phantom - Model Shipways Next project: Amati's Xebec A ship has all the discomforts and lack of privacy of a jail with none of its safety or stability - Benjamin Franklin Quis custodiet ipso custodes?
rdsaplala Posted February 18, 2013 #30 Posted February 18, 2013 Hello David, I'm pleased to see your Niagara log up and running again, excellent work there, looking forward to more updates Quote Best regards,AldoCurrently Building: HMS Pegasus (Victory Models)-Mothballed to give priority to Triton HMS Triton (first attempt at scratchbuilding) Past build:HM Brig Badger (Caldercraft), HM Brig Cruizer, HM Schooner Ballahoo
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