Spanish Galleon Keel Wood?

[Bill Jackson]

Hi All,

Does anyone know what wood was used to make keels for Spanish Galleons made in Europe during the 1600's?

Bill

[allanyed]

You mention European built vessels so there would be differences with those built by Spain in Havana and the Philippines.    I have no idea how accurate the following article might be, but it may be a little help. 

https://www.worldhistory.org/Spanish_Galleon/

Allan

[Bill Jackson]

Thank you Allen. I have also read that oak and pine woods were used in combination for European built Spanish galleons. And later on they were difficult to acquire. Hwre in the Philippines they used the local hardwood Mojave.

I guess I have a choice of oak or pine since I am building the San Felipe and it was built in Spain.

Thanks again

Bill

[allanyed]

I believe the most common species for keels were oak and elm as pine was relatively weak for large vessels.  Regardless you may find all of these are much too grainy for your model.   The below shows these species compared to a couple other choices commonly used on model ships, Alaskan cedar and Castello boxwood.   English/European box is great but costly.   Basswood and poplar is less grainy but you might find them too soft for a keel.

Allan

Edited May 2 by allanyed

[Jaager]

The Wood-Database does not have much specific for your part of the world.  I would try to find a local hardwood sawmill and see if they have a local wood that is fine texture, no pores large enough to see, straight grain.  Something that looks like Oak or Elm that has been scaled down 50 times.  If you use actual Oak, the grain, pores, and texture will be 50-100 times too large.

There is no tree species with grain that small.  It could not transport water thru tubes that small.  There are however species that are a whole lot closer to scale than is any nutwood.

 

Basswood and Linden have excellent grain characteristics, but their surface is soooo fuzzy.

Edited May 3 by Jaager

[Bill Jackson]

Thank you Jaager. The kit came with plywood that has "simulated" oak wood covering. Your comments indicate that real oak has too large of pores for a ratio of  1: 60. So I am stuck with basswood or plywood.((((

[Baker]

On 5/2/2024 at 12:39 PM, Bill Jackson said:

Does anyone know what wood was used to make keels for Spanish Galleons made in Europe during the 1600's?

beechwood

 

https://albaola.org/en/the-keel/

 

[Jaager]

Beech would be an appropriate wood for a 1:60 keel.   But not a lot of help as something readily available as a economical domestic species in the Philippines.

The tropics in South America have several desirable species,  so the climate does not preclude the possibility of a domestic at reasonable cost per BF. 

From just reading the Wood-Database only Hard Milkwood comes up as a possible.  It may take making friends with an old crotchety independent hardwood sawmiller to get a lead and source for domestic lumber with appropriate  characteristics and get it in lumber form.  With a chainsaw, a kiln, and a bandsaw, no tree would be safe - theoretically.

[allanyed]

On 5/5/2024 at 5:10 AM, Baker said:

beechwood

 

https://albaola.org/en/the-keel/

Baker,

Fascinating article, thanks for posting.  

Allan

[Bill Jackson]

Guys unfortunately I will have to go with the plywood that came with the kit. I remembered one essential fact during our discussion... I am not a carpenter! Which means I dont have the expertese that you guys have to cut out the pieces for the keel etc. I am 40 years old with 33 years experience, so my time has passed learning how to be a carpenter.)

Thanks

Bill