Frigate Essex by Rafine - FINISHED - Model Shipways - Kitbashed

[Remcohe]

You really inspire me to rig my KF too.

 

Remco

[rafine]

Thanks so much Remco. I can't wait to see your rigging on KF. I'm sure that it will be spectacular.

 

Bob

[rafine]

I've finished the fore lower ratlines. They are OK, but hardly perfect. I need to do better on the main and mizzen.

 

Bob

[Jimz66]

Looks really good Bob. Keep it going. 

[rafine]

Thanks so much John, Jim and the "likes".

 

Bob

[gjdale]

I've finished the fore lower ratlines. They are OK, but hardly perfect. I need to do better on the main and mizzen.

They look pretty good from this distance Bob!

[Gahm]

So what do "perfect" ratlines look like? 

 

Thomas

[Mirabell61]

no understatement Bob,

 

those well done ratlines at the lower foremast look just right

 

Nils

[rafine]

Thanks so much Grant , Thomas and Nils and the "likes". I promise that they can be done better.

 

Bob

[HIPEXEC]

Your ratlines look great!

[Blue Ensign]

Just enjoyed a catch-up Bob, I love your work and build, and what a superb Figure to set off your beautiful Essex. Janos is such a talented guy, and how wonderful to have an example of his work on your build.

 

Great stuff.

 

B.E.

[Sjors]

As an experienced ratline maker as myself I will say that they are great !!!!!

Even the rigging Gnomes are saying YES !!!!!!

 

You can be proud of what you have done Bob !!! 

 

Sjors

[rafine]

Thanks so much Rich, B.E. and Sjors for the very nice comments and also the "likes". 

 

Sjors, can I borrow those gnomes to tie the rest of the knots?

 

Bob

[rafine]

Well, I promised "better" on the main ratlines and I hope I've kept that promise. Practice may not make perfect, but it does make better. I've always found that avoiding distortion of the shrouds is the hardest part of doing ratlines, but it gets easier as you get into the rythym. It's a shame that you only get to do these every couple of years or so -- it takes a while to remember what you learned in the previous efforts.   

 

With that overly long introduction, I've now finished the lower main ratlines. Now, on to the mizzen.

 

Bob

 

 

[Jimz66]

Nice work Bob. Really nice. 

[Sjors]

 

Sjors, can I borrow those gnomes to tie the rest of the knots?

 

Bob

 

Bob,

 

I ask the Gnomes if they want to help you and there answer was......NO.

They are a shame of them self because you do an better job then they can do !

Now I have to search for them where they are because they are hiding themselves now.........

 

Sjors

[rafine]

Thanks so much Jim, Sjors and the "likes".

 

Bob

[HIPEXEC]

Your ratlines look great....much better than mine. Good job.

[gjdale]

Up to your usual high standard I see Bob.

[CaptainSteve]

Great work, Bob.

I always feel that rat-lines really make the build come alive.

[rafine]

Thanks so much Rich, Grant, Captain Steve and the "likes".

 

Captain Steve, the ratlines may make the build come alive, but they kill the builder.  

 

Bob

[Mirabell61]

Great work Bob,

 

good Job on the ratlines

 

Nils

[uss frolick]

I found the following letter in the National Archives Microfilm Rolls. Thought it might be of interest ... 

 

"Captain Robert Rafine, Esquire

USF Essex

Salem, Massachusetts

 

Washington, DC Jan 25, 1800,

 

Dear Captain Rafine,

 

As your ship is nearly ready for sea, your are ordered to open a Rendezvous and take on six months provisions, and make all preparations for putting to sea at the earliest opportunity. As the French are active in the southern waters, particularly off the piratical haven called "Delray Beach", or "New Sodom", off the coast of Spanish Florida, you and the Ship Essex under your command are ordered to frustrate their endeavors. Your detailed private orders are thus enclosed. Fail not, Sir, at your peril. Having the the highest confidence in your abilities, I remain, Sir,

 

 

Your Humble and Obedient Servant,

 

Benjamin Stoddart, Esquire,

Secretary of the Navy."

 

( )

Edited January 25, 2015 by uss frolick

[patrickmil]

I don't know if you can possibly do 'better' ratlines when they were perfect on the mizzen to begin with. They are looking great Bob.

[rafine]

Thanks so much Nils, Frolick, Patrick and the"likes".

 

Frolick, I'm not so sure of her sailing qualities just yet. It may be some months before she's ready to go. Hopefully, the French will do no damage before then.  

 

Bob

[mtaylor]

Thanks so much Nils, Frolick, Patrick and the"likes".

 

Frolick, I'm not so sure of her sailing qualities just yet. It may be some months before she's ready to go. Hopefully, the French will do no damage before then.  

 

Bob

 

I checked... all of us building French ships are way behind you.  Though I think Gaetan has a 1:24th 74 finished  but not masted.

[Gahm]

Wonderful job on the ratlines! I better mark this page for the time when I have to do ratlines on my Syren model 

 

Thomas

[rafine]

Thanks so much Mark, Janos, Thomas and the "likes".

 

Mark, with all the French ships now being built, I may have to enlist the aid of the fleet of Connies being built on MSW.

 

Janos, I was not aware of that knot, but I'll have to give it a try.

 

Bob

[rafine]

Thanks so much John for the kind words.

 

The lower ratlines are now completed, as I've done the mizzen. There will still be ratlines to be done on the topmast shrouds, of course, but there is a lot to be done before getting to them. The next items of work include making the topmasts, which I've already started, adding various blocks to the mastheads, and the crowsfeet, which I actually dread more than the ratlines.

 

Bob

[Mirabell61]

Looks real good Bob,

 

Nils